Gootium, has recently announced that they are now cooperating with Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation (IDPR) to supply them with Gootium backpacks for their Junior Ranger Program. The Junior Ranger Program is one that aims to encourage children to go out and explore Mother Nature.
John Z., a representative for Gootium, says, "We found that our products are the perfect match with the concept of IDRP and we are hoping for more upcoming collaborations."
The Junior Ranger Program is an official Parks and Recreation program that is available to children ages six to twelve. The Idaho State Parks is the founder of the program, which is now operating in several national parks. Junior Rangers can receive stamps and prizes for completing certain activities. Some of those activities include taking a hike, identifying specific plants and animals, helping to keep parks and recreation areas clean and free from clutter, and other outdoor activities. Children must complete four out of six activities in order to be rewarded.
"The program is a great one for kids," says the Gootium representative. "Kids today have so much going on with regards to indoor activities like video games and such. It's great to see them outdoors and enjoying themselves."
The Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation states that children can earn their Junior Ranger badge on their very first visit. They can earn a patch on their second visit and a signed certificate on their third visit. Parents and guardians are encouraged to get their children excited about these outdoor activities and help the children make connections with nature. The Department states that the Junior Ranger Program is free for children to join.
An extension of the Junior Ranger Program, the Experience Idaho Loaner Backpack Program provides children in the Junior Ranger Program with a Gootium backpack to use while they are visiting the parks. The State Department says that getting children outdoors and getting them attuned to nature is important. The Experience Idaho Loaner Backpack program provides a backpack free of charge for children to use during their stay. Each of the backpacks by Gootium will be filled with items for children to learn and explore during their stay in any of Idaho's State Parks.
Gootium states that their backpacks will be filled with everything children need for a self-guided tour through the park, including a guide of the park being visited, binoculars and equipment that help children to learn more about nature and their surroundings.
The Experience Idaho Loaner Backpack Program is in honor of Governor Dirk Kempthorne and is made possible through donations to the Friends of Idaho State Parks. Gootium has donated a number of backpacks to help the Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation with their goal of getting more of Idaho's children outdoors and teaching them about nature and the health benefits of being outside. The IDPR has expressed gratitude to Gootium for their generous donation of the backpacks being used in this program. In order to check out the backpack, a child simply has to visit the staff of the park, who are located inside the visitor center of each park.
"This is a great cause," says the representative for Gootium. "We could have donated money to charity or backpacks to any number of other charities but this one really hit home for us. We wanted to make a different in these children's lives and we feel that donating these backpacks for use in the Experience Idaho Loaner Backpack program is a great way to do that."
Gootium states that they have always appreciated the work that the Junior Ranger Program does. So much so that when they had the opportunity, they simply could not pass it up. The company states that they are more than pleased to be able to provide these backpacks to the children who will be visiting the state parks.
Gootium provides a host of canvas backpacks and bags, all made with more than 20 years of experience. The company provides duffel bags, tote bags, messenger bags and more. Customers can visit them on their official website to view a catalog of the products that they provide. The company is based in Laguna Beach, California and ships their products all over the world. Those interested in learning more about Gootium can visit them on their official website. Parents or children interested in learning more about the Junior Ranger Program can visit the Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation website for a listing of activities and participating parks.
ref: https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/activities/experience-idaho-backpacks/