Indianapolis, In. — Tired of Black Friday in shopping malls? Why not get outside instead?
Indiana State Parks can help. The DNR is offering free admission to any state park, reservoir or state forest recreation area that charges gate admission on that day, including state off-road riding areas. You can also get 20 percent off a meal at an Indiana State Park Inn that day by downloading a coupon from Indiana State Parks Special Events page at stateparks.IN.gov/3282.htm.
There’s more – you can get annual passes, lake permits and camping gear, among other items, just by choosing to #optoutside. By sharing your experiences on social media on Black Friday, you can win prizes just by sharing your experiences on social media. Here’s how to participate:
– Post a photo to the Indiana State Parks Facebook page or to the DNR Instagram page and you’ll be entered into a drawing for annual passes, lake permits and more. Include the hashtag #optoutside or #optoutsideIN when you post your photo.
– Camp at a state park or state forest recreation area, or stay at an Indiana State Park Inn on Black Friday, and you’ll be entered in a drawing for camping or inns gift cards. The first 20 people to post a photo to the Indiana State Parks Facebook page of their camping trip or inns visit will receive a logoed #OptOutside Indiana State Parks winter knit cap. Include the hashtag #optoutside, #optoutsideINN or #optoutsideCAMP with your post.
– Complete the #optoutside scavenger hunt at stateparks.IN.gov/3282.htm and return it to the email or address on the page to be entered in a separate drawing for 2019 annual passes. The first 20 scavenger hunts returned will receive a logoed #OptOutside Indiana State Parks winter knit hat.
Everyone who posts a photo or participates in the scavenger hunt will be entered into a grand prize drawing for a gift pack from the outdoor gear retailer REI in Castleton. REI is a supporter of the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation and Indiana State Parks.
Outdoor gear retailer REI started the #optoutside initiative in 2015, announcing it would close its stores on Black Friday to encourage people to experience nature instead of waiting in long lines at cash registers. For more information, visit rei.com/opt-outside.
The Indiana State Parks Facebook page is facebook.com/INdnrstateparksandreservoirs. The DNR Instagram page is instagram.com/indianadnr. For more information, visit rei.com/opt-outside.
