TORONTO, April 17, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The first in a series of cross-country adventure play events hosted by Earth Day Canada and Kamik will get Toronto kids outdoors, covered in dirt, away from helicopter parents!

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Earth Day Canada’s 2019 public awareness campaign is focused on getting children outside, engaged in self-directed, unstructured play, which unequivocally promotes health, happiness, resiliency and social connectivity. In partnership with Kamik and in support of their #FreeYourPlay movement, Earth Day Canada is hosting this event to showcase the benefits of outdoor free play first-hand, while also demonstrating its importance in creating the next generation of environmental stewards.

WHEN: 

Saturday, April 20, 2019 / 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST / RAIN OR SHINE

WHERE:

Trinity Bellwoods Park, between Queen St. W. and Dundas St. W., north of the community centre and wading pool.

WHO:

• Earth Day Canada’s President Deb Doncaster and Team of Play Rangers
• Representatives from Kamik
• 1,000+ parents and kids from across the GTA
• Local play experts available to speak about the history of play, diversity in play, etc.

WHAT:

• Photo opportunities: Happy kids of all ages/backgrounds covered in mud, building their own playground and inventing games with rope, wood, tires, straw bales and other natural or upcycled loose parts
• An up-close demonstration of what a true Adventure Playground looks like, with activity zones including the Free Play Zone, where children 5+ have the freedom to create and explore independently (caregivers are asked to remain on the perimeter).
• Donations encouraged: Visitors are asked to bring new or gently used (and thoroughly clean) outerwear in children/youth sizes to help local schools ensure that all students can play outside at recess, in any weather. Donations of loose parts – such as pots, pans, utensils, rope, garden tools, small crates, etc. – are also welcome.

Media inquiries & accreditation:

Vanessa Farquharson
Communications Advisor
Earth Day Canada
416-209-3451
vanessa@earthday.ca

About Earth Day Canada

Founded in 1990, Earth Day Canada is a national charity that inspires and supports people across the country to connect with nature and build resilient communities. We lead an annual Earth Day campaign along with free, year-round, award-winning programs that get people of all ages outside, interacting with the environment — this, in turn, fosters an intrinsically motivated, enduring commitment to stewardship and conservation.

About Kamik

Kamik is a leading footwear and apparel manufacturer on a mission to bring unstructured moments of Outside Free Play back to families worldwide. Kamik creates a complete line of comfortable, Northern-inspired versatile footwear and apparel for the whole family. Rugged, dependable and durable, these products keep playful feet dry and warm year-round, from the first spring puddle jumps to the last wintry snowball fight. Kamik’s Montreal-based parent company, Genfoot, boasts a century-long history and about 400 employees in its plants across Québec, Ontario and New Hampshire. Kamik footwear is available in over 10,000 outlets in more than 40 countries. Learn more at www.kamik.com and join the movement to #FreeYourPlay by following Kamik on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.