Family Teams Win Big At Park Quest East Adventures Finale
Governor O’Malley Congratulates Participants

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SNOW HILL — Governor O’Malley today congratulated the thirty-eight families who competed in the Maryland Park Service Park Quest East summer adventures finale event on Saturday, August 2 at Pocomoke River State Park, an event that was the culmination of 8 weeks of outdoor challenges in the state parks of the Eastern Shore.

“I want to congratulate all of the participants, whose spirit serves as a model for all Marylanders,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Encouraging children and parents to explore the outdoors together, Park Quest East helped introduce these families to the exciting, affordable, experiences they can enjoy together in our state parks.”

During the finale event, teams participated in a park recognition photo game, a casting competition, poker-based ranger round-up, timed tent assembly and a nature matching quest. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Scales and Tales program also provided an interactive wildlife exhibit.

“It was a wonderful event and without a doubt we will be participating next year,” said Maureen Greenlees, a member of the Mighty Four Team from Salisbury, Md. The team took first place in the day’s competitions and walked away with four bicycles, helmets and bike racks.

Placing second were the Roaming Gnomes from Georgetown, De., who won a camping package including camping gear for four plus a weekend camping at Assateague State Park in a camper provided by Coastal Camper. Third place went to Team Voodoo from Princess Anne, Md., who won a boating package which included a canoe and kayak. Taking fourth was Team Ober Mysters from Ridgley, Md. They won a fishing package with gear for four plus a charter trip on the Chesapeake Bay provided by Gootees Marine.

The Friends of Assateague coordinated the prize package donations.

“Due to the overwhelming success of our inaugural year, there will be a sequel to Park Quest East in 2009,” said Maryland Park Service Superintendent Nita Settina. “With 10 state parks on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, all within a tank of gas of the Bay Bridge, we hope that other parents will embark on their own outdoor adventure with their children – whether a morning hike, afternoon kayaking, or overnight camping trip.”

DNR’s Park Quest summer family adventure kicked off on Saturday, May 24 and continued through July 20. More than 150 teams comprised of at least one team member under 16 years of age and one adult, had the opportunity to visit six state parks on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Outdoor challenges at the parks included paddling quiet streams, hiking trails in search of letter boxes, finding items on a scavenger hunt and fishing to complete their Park Quest passport.

In April, Governor Martin O’Malley launched a new tourism campaign, which promotes the pure beauty of the State as well as the ease of access for visitors with the tagline “Pretty. Close.” and unveiled its new mobile tourism unit, an interactive traveling billboard designed to appeal to potential visitors in Maryland’s in-state and out-of-state feeder markets.

In that same month, Maryland Governor O’Malley signed an Executive Order establishing the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature, a coalition of state, local, private and non-profit
partners charged with promoting the well-being of youth by accelerating environmental learning and expanding opportunities for outdoor experiences.

For more information about Park Quest visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/parkquest. For more information about the Maryland Park Service visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands.

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August 4, 2008

Contact: Olivia Campbell 410-260-8016 office I 410-507-7525 cell ocampbell@dnr.state.md.us

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov