Governor, First Lady Host Mile With Mike at Capital Campout

Indianapolis – Governor Mike Pence and First Lady Karen Pence hosted a Mile with Mike event at the Department of Natural Resources’ Capital Campout at Fort Harrison State Park. The Capital Campout is one of more than a dozen outdoor camping experiences hosted by governors across the nation to promote outdoor recreation as part of Great Outdoors Month 2015. Governor Pence declared June as Great Outdoors Month in the state of Indiana and read the proclamation, found in full attached, at today’s event.

“Great Outdoors Month is a perfect opportunity for our Mile with Mike effort and to share with young Hoosiers the importance of being healthy, getting exercise, and enjoying Indiana’s many outdoor recreational activities,” said Governor Pence. “I’m thankful to the organizations, public agencies, and businesses that work every day to create exceptional experiences for Hoosiers at the many state parks and trails Indiana offers.”

Capital Campout participants from the LeGore Boys and Girls Club, Christel House Academy, Crossroads of America Council’s Boy Scout Troop 123, and Central Indiana Girl Scout Council’s PEARL Meadowlark Community Troup 7538 hiked around Delaware Lake with the Governor and First Lady after the campers participated in fishing, horseback riding, outdoor cooking, and a variety of other activities. Since 2013, the Governor and First Lady have participated in Mile with Mike events across the state of Indiana to encourage health and exercise among Hoosiers.

“Being outside today for Capital Campout reminded me of my own youth, camping and having fun at state parks all over Indiana,” said First Lady Karen Pence. “We had a great time today sharing with these young people how much fun they can have enjoying outdoor activities all over our state.”

The Capital Campout is made possible by Indiana State Parks and Great Outdoors Month founding sponsor, The Coleman Company, which donated camping supplies, gear, and funding. Other Indiana Capital Campout sponsors and partners include the American Recreation Coalition, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, Camptown, Inc., Go FishIN, Indiana State Park Inns, Friends of Fort Harrison State Park, Hoosier Trail Rides, Mt. Comfort RV Center, the Recreation Vehicle Indiana Council, Inc., Kroger, Revolution Foods, Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of America.

“Indiana’s Capital Campout is one of several tools that the Indiana Department of Natural Resources is using to encourage youngsters to get outdoors,” said DNR Director Cam Clark.

Clark said other efforts include the Indiana Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights; Indiana State Parks’ new centennial curriculum that includes opportunities for free visits to state parks for participating students; Discovering the Outdoors Field Trip Grants to schools; GoFishIN workshops; hunter, boater and archery education; and hunting heritage activities.