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June 20, 2016
Contact: Stephanie Wirtz (DNR), 989-274-6182 or Kristin Stempky (mParks), 517-485-9888
Camp Kitigin offers screen-free summer camp for adults
 In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get overwhelmed and neglect basic needs for connecting with nature and with others. The Michigan Recreation and Park Association and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources invite adults to feel like kids again at the third annual Camp Kitigin. This three-day summer camp experience takes place Sept. 16-18 at YMCA Camp Timbers in West Branch.
Camp Kitigin is a screen-free camp, which means no phones, tablets or WiFi (with exceptions for emergencies and after-dinner family check-ins). Participants will enjoy a weekend of rejuvenation and fun with an all-inclusive summer camp-style experience including lodging, meals and activities such as archery, campfires, canoeing, rock climbing, group activities, swimming, hiking and more.
Technology and office work can cause significant health and stress problems. However, spending time in nature has been shown to boost creativity, enhance sleep, ease depression and restore brain function. Most adults spend only 6 percent of their time outdoors, and Camp Kitigin is a great opportunity to boost that number and reap the physical and mental benefits of outdoor fun. The camp was created as a way to help adults “be a kid again” (Kitigin!) and disconnect from their busy lives.
“People are really starting to realize that connecting to the outdoors is essential to our health,” says mParks Chief Operating Officer Ann Conklin. “Parks and recreation serve a critical role in improving quality of life, and we’re pleased to give people a taste of that incredible value through Camp Kitigin.”
The cost is $200 per camper, which covers lodging, meals, activities, crafts and a participant pack, including a journal and pen, disposable camera to capture offline camp experiences. Proceeds will help fund recreation programs throughout the state. Learn more and register for Camp Kitigin at www.mparks.org/campkitigin.
Michigan Recreation and Park Association is the voice of Michigan’s parks and recreation community. The association is committed to sharing the value of parks and recreation; to advocate, to teach and to inspire. mParks provides professional development, industry updates and resources to a diverse membership of park and recreation agencies, professionals, vendors and advocates. Learn more at www.mparks.org.
For more information please contact Stephanie Wirtz at wirtzs@michigan.gov or 989-274-6182 or Kristin Stempky at kstempky@mparks.org or 517-485-9888.
Inside Michigan’s Great Outdoors subscribers are always the first to know about reservation opportunities, state park events and other outdoor happenings. Visit www.michigan.gov/dnr to subscribe now.
Learn more about how the Recreation Passport gains you access to Michigan state parks and more at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport.
/Editors’ note: An accompanying photo is available below for download. A suggested caption follows.
A screen-free camp experience for adults Sept. 16-18 at YMCA Camp Timbers in West Branch, Camp Kitigin offers the opportunity to reconnect in simpler, outdoor ways - like gathering around the campfire./
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
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