STAUNTON, VA (06/30/2014)(readMedia)-- If you're feeling cramped and like you don't get to spend enough time outside, you're not the only one. Nearly three in 10 U.S. adults do not spend time outside on a daily basis and of those who do, almost half spend less than 30 minutes in the fresh air according to a new survey released by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs. That's why this July, Staunton Parks & Recreation and NRPA are challenging everyone to get out and visit their community parks and recreation during national Park and Recreation Month.

This year's theme, "OUT is IN," encourages individuals, families, friends and coworkers to do something outside everyday that they would normally do inside. From picnicking in the park instead of sitting inside at a table to sending an email or even holding a meeting outside, there are small ways you can make going OUT part of your daily routine. The parks and facilities run by Staunton Parks & Recreation offer ample opportunities to go OUTside, get INspired, change your OUTlook and get INvolved.

The possibilities are endless for outdoor recreation within our great city. Montgomery Hall Park has hiking/biking trails and a great disc golf course. We have tennis, horseshoe, basketball and volleyball courts. There are several geocaches placed throughout Montgomery Hall Park, Gypsy Hill Park and Reservoir Hill. Geocaching is a great family-friendly activity and relatively inexpensive, especially if you own a smartphone. A few other outdoor opportunities include Family Nite Flix, Bluegrass in the Park and you can even learn to SCUBA Dive at the Gypsy Hill Park Pool (a listing of our planned July outdoor activities can be found below).

We will specifically be celebrating Park and Recreation Month by randomly giving away stickers and water bottles throughout July to people we find participating in outdoor park activities. We're talking high end & highly coveted Lifefactory glass water bottles. We want to catch you, your child, your grandfather and your dog recreating and in a state of PLAY. Again, these will be distributed randomly throughout the month, in any park, so be sure to get outside every day, shake it up and discover new recreation locations.

In addition to getting involved in Park and Recreation Month locally, people are encouraged to take the OUT is IN 31-day social media challenge on Twitter and Instagram by posting photos of themselves doing typical inside activities outside with the hashtag #JulyOUTisIN, #MontgomeryHallPark and #GypsyHillPark.

Special thanks and a shout out to our friends at Pufferbellies for providing a great deal on the Lifefactory water bottles. Go see them!

Staunton Parks & Recreation JULY Outdoor Activity Lineup:

Bluegrass in the Park

July 9..........7pm - Hound Dog Hill. 8pm -In the Tradition

July 16........7pm - West Wind Bluegrass. 8pm -Darren Beachley Band

July 23........7pm - Frog Pond Pickers. 8pm -Little Roy and Lizzy

July 30........7pm - Last Minute Band. 8pm -Big Country Bluegrass

Family Nite Flix, 8:45pm

July 18: Saving Mr. Banks

Stonewall Brigade Band

July 7: Old Fashioned Concert in the Park

July 14: Kids' Concert in the Park- cartoon, movie, and Disney music, with Ronald McDonald show at 7pm

July 21: A Tuneful Potpourri

July 28: 20th Century Band Favorites

Mondays, 8pm. More info, visit: www.stonewallbrigadeband.com

Praise in the Park

July 8...........7pm - Sierra Losh. 8pm-Southern Grace

July 15.........7pm - Southern Hospitality, 8pm-Spirit Led

July 22.........7pm - Fidelis and Allreds, 8pm- Church Street Revival

July 29.........6:30pm-Teen Night: Glory Bound Motorcycle Ministry and Covenant.

Tuesdays, 7pm. More info, visit: www.lindenheightsbc.com/PIP.htm

How to Maintain Your Garden w/ the VSDB Educational Farm

Join us at the new Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind Educational Farm and learn how to turn your yard into a beautiful and productive vegetable garden! Whether you want to feed yourself and your family or simply enjoy working with plants outside, this workshop series is right for you. Garden Educators, Emily Melvin and Ben Samuelson, from the Allegheny Mountain School, along with guest instructors, Holly Parker and Sue McKown, will teach the basics of cultivating a garden amidst the new and growing VSDB Educational Farm. This will be a hands-on workshop, where you can get your hands dirty and actually build a garden. Children are welcome.

TOPIC: Managing weeds, thwarting pests, backyard composting, mulching, harvesting. July 19 from 10am – 12:30pm. Price: $5

Discover Scuba Diving

Have you ever been curious to know what it is like to breathe underwater? Sign up for the Discover Scuba Diving Class and find out! Participants will learn basic safety concepts and be given the opportunity to breathe underwater while being supervised by an instructor at the Gypsy Hill Park pool. Ages 12+. Instructor: Shawn Hassler and the staff of Scuba Buddys in Harrisonburg VA. 9am-11am; July 12 or August 16. Price: $45

Girls 13U Softball Summer League

Sign your daughter or team up for this sprint league to be played at Montgomery Hall Park and finish before school starts! No weekend games to conflict with tournament players. Tee shirts provided. Price: $25 per player. Register by: July 9

Staunton Parks & Recreation's mission is to provide a variety of quality of leisure opportunities to the diverse population of Staunton for the purpose of improving Stauntonian's quality of life via well maintained historic parks housing quality facilities paired with innovative recreation programs, athletic leagues, trips, events and outstanding child-minding programs. For more information, visit www.staunton.va.us/recreation

The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 40,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.NRPA.org. For digital access to NRPA's flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.

Posted Monday June 30, 2014 at 08:00 pm by City of Staunton Parks and Recreation
Last Updated Tuesday July 01, 2014 at 08:16 am