NPS and PAHO invite people to get outdoors and get active by visiting one of the more than 400 national parks across the United States.
Washington, D.C., 12 September 2014 (PAHO/WHO) — The U.S. National Park Service (NPS) is partnering with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO), to promote Wellness Week activities during the week of September 13-19. During Wellness Week, countries of the Americas join in a week of celebrations showcasing innovative, effective ways to promote health and well-being by advocating for healthy public policies and by engaging individuals, families, and communities in healthy, active lifestyles.
NPS and PAHO are urging Americans to celebrate Wellness Week by visiting some of the more than 400 national parks around the United States. Special NPS activities during the week will include:
- More than 100 free ranger-led walks at parks across the country
- A beach walk at Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts
- A bird-watching tour at Ohio's Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- A tree trek at Congaree National Park in South Carolina
- A cave tour at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.
- Other park events listed on the Wellness Week calendar.
"The NPS is pleased to partner with PAHO in Wellness Week to invite everyone to enjoy time in our national parks for health prevention, medicine and therapy," said Diana Allen, Chief of NPS's Healthy Parks Healthy People National Program.
"Each of us can do simple things as part of our everyday lives, including walking more, exercising more, and teaching our children to choose fresh, natural and healthy foods," said PAHO Director Carissa F. Etienne. "This is the message of Wellness Week. Be on the side of a healthy life."
Wellness Week in Washington, D.C.
The Greater Washington DC area celebration of Wellness Week 2014 will kick off this Saturday, Sept. 13, from 9 am to 2:30 pm with a community NPS-PAHO "Hike & Bike" event at the Columbia Island Marina/LBJ Memorial Grove area along the George Washington Memorial Parkway, in Arlington, Virginia. Residents and visitors of all ages can take part in activities including hiking and biking, yoga and Tai Chi, line dancing and QR code Fitness Stations, and—for kids—an obstacle course, Junior Ranger badges, and arts and crafts.
PAHO and NPS will also host community outreach booths on Sunday, Sept. 21, at Fiesta DC, the annual cultural celebration for the Washington-area Latino community. The booths will be located near the corner of Pennsylvania Ave. and 13th St., N.W., from 11 am to 7 pm.
PAHO will offer visitors free screening for high blood pressure, diabetes risk and body mass index (BMI) as well as a hand-washing station and kids' activities including bubble blowing, hula hoops, and jump rope. Visitors to the NPS booth can discover national parks in the Greater Washington Area and learn where they can join a ranger on a hike, bike, go horseback riding, run, play volleyball or soccer, etc. to fill their Park Rx for their improved well-being.
Wellness Week is celebrated each September in countries throughout the Americas, from Canada to Argentina. It showcases innovative, effective ways to promote health and well-being by advocating for healthy public policies and by engaging individuals, families and communities in healthy, active lifestyles.
For more ideas to celebrate Wellness Week this year and beyond, click here. To plan a visit to one of the more than 400 national parks across the country click here.
About PAHO
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) was established in 1902 and is the world's oldest international public health organization. It works with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of the people of the hemisphere and serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO).
About the National Park Service
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 401 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.
