By: 
Monika Rued
 Updated: 

Nov. 25 is Green Friday, an alternative to the crowds by choosing to #OptOutside and get outdoors. While Arkansas State Parks has been offering Green Friday events for about seven years now, our friends at REI began their #OptOutside campaign last year. The response has been incredible.

“More than 1.8 million (That number is nearly 4 million as of this post) people are planning to #OptOutside with us on Black Friday. It’s amazing to see so many park systems join in the movement to give Americans even more ways to connect with our country’s inspiring outdoor places. We are grateful for the park stewards and professionals who make the outdoor American experience so vibrant,” says Jerry Stritzke, REI’s CEO and president.

 

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“Thanksgiving is an American holiday in which we can all find common ground – we want to spend quality time with family and friends and reflect on our gratitude. Arkansas’s 52 state parks are perfect places for doing just that during the long holiday weekend. We propose an alternative to the traditional ‘Black Friday’ shopping day on November 25, and challenge families to play outside in their state parks and other green spaces,” Arkansas State Parks Chief of Interpretation & Program Services Kelly Farrell says. “Park interpreters are offering guided hikes, lake tours, and nature activities, or, if your family prefers a looser schedule, we simply encourage you to come out and play, hike, fish, bird, geocache, bike—and relax—together. We are joining with Recreational Equipment Incorporated (REI) and hundreds of other outdoor organizations to promote Green Friday with the #OptOutside campaign. We welcome families to state their pledge on social media to spend Nov. 25 outdoors, using the hashtags #OptOutside, #GreenFriday, and #ARstateparks. Then throughout the weekend, share your memories and photos with us! See you out there!”

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