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2009-05-11

CONTACT: REI Public Affairs (253) 395-5958

Ready, Set, Go Outside with REI’s Passport to Adventure! Free Program Provides the Tools to Get Kids into the Outdoors

With summer fast approaching, Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), a national outdoor retailer ,invites children and their families to explore the outdoors together with Passport to Adventure. Launching today, the free program is designed for children aged five to 12 and encourages them to participate in at least one outdoor activity through the end of the year.

Families and caregivers can stop by any REI store to pick up a complimentary adventure journal, plus hike and bike trails in their local area that are recommended by expert REI employees. The adventure journal is filled with activities, games, tips and stickers, and serves as a fun keepsake for children to use while experiencing the outdoors.

After participating in at least one outdoor activity, parents can send in a tear-off postcard from the journal or visit http://www.rei.com/passport to receive a certificate of completion and a special prize for their children – multifunction binoculars that turn into other tools, such as a compass, signal mirror, magnifying glass and more.

Lists of local routes for family-friendly hikes and bike rides are also available online, featuring trail descriptions, distances, driving directions and tips. In addition, parents can discover exclusive online bonus activities for their children’s adventure journal, expert advice on how to get into the outdoors and a list of items to bring when exploring the outdoors together.

Passport to Adventure is one of many REI programs created to demonstrate the ease, fun and benefits to enjoying the outdoors. Additionally, more than 100 stores nationwide host a range of classes, presentations and events designed to help members and customers engage in more recreational adventures, including “how to” workshops, bike maintenance clinics and volunteer opportunities. Local event calendars are available by visiting individual stores pages at http://www.rei.com/stores.

In 2008, REI engaged nearly 24,000 children in outdoor activities through Passport to Adventure. Additional information on the program, including a downloadable version of the adventure journal, is available at http://www.rei.com/passport. More information about how one family used last year’s program to enhance their outdoor adventures is available at www.rei.com/features/sm6129_hachfeld.html.

About REI
REI is a national outdoor retail co-op dedicated to inspiring, educating and outfitting its members and the community for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship. Founded in 1938 by a group of Pacific Northwest mountaineers seeking quality equipment, REI operates retail stores nationwide, two online stores – http://www.rei.com and http://www.REI-OUTLET.com – and an adventure travel company, REI Adventures. REI offers products from all of the top brands for camping, climbing, cycling, fitness, hiking, paddling, snow sports and travel, including its own line of award-winning outdoor gear and apparel. While anyone may join or shop at REI, members pay a one-time $20 fee and receive a share in the company’s profits through an annual member refund based on their purchases. As an active supporter of the communities in which it does business, REI is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and increasing access to outdoor recreation through education, volunteerism, gear donations and financial contributions.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Images and interviews with local hiking and cycling experts are available upon request.

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