Merrell and Outdoor Nation Call Youth to Action in Summit Series

In line with its goal to increase outdoor participation, especially among youth, Merrell, as a Lead Partner, is working with Outdoor Nation to find delegates for the second annual series of regional summits from now through May 10. This year summits will be held in New York City, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Denver and San Francisco all with the aligned goal of bringing youth together to develop ideas and plans which they can take back to their communities and put into action to get more people outside. Following last year’s summit people left Outdoor Nation and planted community gardens, took underserved kids on their first camping trips, and started community activity groups. For more information, and to apply to be a delegate, visit Merrell’s blog at http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Blog/Article.mvc.aspx/e9b344ba-4d2b-4a73-bb49-185ada96e23b.

“The youth of today are the outdoor stewards of tomorrow,” said Jim Zwiers, president of Merrell. “We want to harness their passion for the outdoors and bring them together to develop ways to inspire more people and youth to get outside because Merrell is a firm believer that the outside is for everyone. Each summit will allow 250 youth between the ages of 18-25 to come together as a group and develop action plans to increase outdoor participation. Together, these delegates will bring their plans to their communities. It is an innovative, game changing program that we look forward to supporting long term.”

Five Merrell delegates per regional summit will be selected to attend. These Merrell delegates will put their plans into action and will represent Merrell and its continued goal to get more people outside. Through their efforts, they will inspire others to participate with Merrell and Outdoor Nation in their shared goal to get more people outside. Each Outdoor Nation attendee will receive a pair of Merrell Origins shoes. Merrell Origins shoes from 1981 celebrate 30 years of getting outside and are a product vehicle to inspire more youth to get outside and make a difference.

Merrell® is a brand within the Outdoor Group, a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. that also includes Chaco and Patagonia Footwear. Merrell believes in encouraging everyone to get outside, be active and have fun, and is the largest outdoor brand partner of the National Park Foundation. Wolverine World Wide, Inc. is headquartered in Rockford, Michigan. The company’s portfolio of highly-recognized brands includes: Bates®, Chaco, Cushe®, Hush Puppies®, Merrell®, Sebago® and Wolverine®. The Company is also the exclusive footwear licensee of the following popular brands: CAT®, Harley-Davidson® and Patagonia®. The Company’s products are carried by leading retailers in the U.S. and globally in nearly 190 countries and territories. Merrell, 9341 Courtland Drive, Rockford, Mich. 49351. Phone: (800) 789-8586; Fax: (888) 746-3329. FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/#!/merrell?ref=nf. TWITTER: @merrelloutside.