Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) issued a statement marking June as Great Outdoors Month, emphasizing outdoor recreation’s role as an economic engine and contributor to health, connection, and resilience across the United States.
ORR said in a statement: “Great Outdoors Month is a perfect opportunity to get outside and celebrate the joys of outdoor recreation in America. We have a bold opportunity to harness outdoor recreation not only as a driver of economic growth but also as a cornerstone of health, connection, and resilience.”
The organization, which represents the entire $1.3 trillion outdoor recreation economy, said it is elevating the sector’s role during Great Outdoors Month in supporting mental and physical health, driving economic growth, and supporting over 5 million jobs across the country.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has reported the sector generates 5.2 million jobs and accounts for 2.4% of gross domestic product and 3.2 percent of U.S. employees.
ORR also outlined a new industry initiative tied to the observance. “During Great Outdoors Month, ORR is asking businesses and associations across the outdoor recreation economy to take the America’s Outdoor Era Commitment. At its core, this effort is simple: the outdoor recreation industry should take our own medicine and lead by example in making time outside a driver of America’s physical, mental, community, and economic health.”
The statement noted that June has been recognized as Great Outdoors Month since 1998 through actions by presidents, Congress, and states, reflecting sustained bipartisan support for expanding the outdoor recreation economy.
Multiple coordinated activities are scheduled during the observance period, including Kids to Parks Day, organized by the National Park Trust; National Trails Day on June 6, led by the American Hiking Society; National Fishing and Boating Week from June 6 to 14; National Go RVing Day on June 13, coordinated by Go RVing; Great Outdoors Day of Service on June 12, coordinated by The Corps Network; the Great American Campout led by the National Wildlife Federation; and National Marina Days organized by the Association of Marina Industries. A fee-free day at U.S. Forest Service sites is also part of the schedule.
ORR described itself as a coalition representing more than 110,000 outdoor businesses across recreation sectors. It said the broader outdoor economy spans the full spectrum of outdoor activities nationwide.