Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan are encouraging Minnesotans to get out and enjoy the state’s outstanding outdoor opportunities by proclaiming June 2019 as Great Outdoors Month. 

The governor’s office has teamed with the Department of Natural Resources to issue a new School’s Out – Camp Out Challenge for Saturday, June 8. The challenge encourages all school-aged kids and their families to camp in one of 75 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas the first Saturday of summer break.

As an added incentive, the DNR will continue its longstanding tradition of providing free admission at all state parks on June 8, which is also National Get Outdoors Day.

“We’ve issued a challenge to all kids and their families to get outdoors and go camping at their favorite Minnesota state park the first weekend after school’s out,” said Flanagan. “Our goal is to encourage families with school kids to unplug and head outside this summer.”

DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen said one of her key goals is to bring kids and nature together. “I’m excited to team with the lieutenant governor on the School’s Out – Camp Out Challenge,” Strommen said. “We hope to fill all 4,800 state park campsites this Saturday. There’s still room, but campgrounds are filling up fast so make your reservation today. And if you don’t know how to camp – there are still some openings for our award-winning I Can Camp! programs this summer!”

To make a state park campsite reservation, go to mndnr.gov/reservations. For more information, contact the DNR Information Center by emailing [email protected] or by calling 888-646-6367 (8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday).