| “It used to be a cumbersome task to
plan an outdoor trip,” says Bill Phillips, president of the Coleman
Company, an outdoor information and sporting goods resource. “You
had to research campgrounds individually, using a variety of sources,
and then gather several maps. Now you can go to one source and find
places to stay, nearby activities and access any maps or driving directions
that you need.”
Convenient and simple to use, the Outernet offers
reservation services for many of the listed 16,000 campgrounds throughout
the United States. It also provides maps, directions and a listing
of campground amenities; a “Find Places” function that searches
for interesting places to visit within a specified radius; recommendations
for historic or unique places to stay; adventure guide contacts;
and suggestions for scenic drives in every region of the country.
“It’s a great place to find ideas. For instance,
a lot of people may never have thought of spending a night in a
fire lookout tower -- but many of them are available for nightly
rental and are listed on the site,” Phillips says.
Contributing accurate, up-to-date local information
to the Outernet are more than 500 field experts -- recreation land
managers, campground hosts, concessionaires, tourism professionals
and small-town authorities.
Anyone visiting the Coleman Outernet can search
for locations and find basic information, but to access the site’s
full content, visitors need to register -- a simple, fast and free
process. Once registered, they will be able to create travel profiles
and maintain lists of locations and commercial experience providers
that can be used as a reference for trip planning. They also will
be able to collaborate and share information with friends and family
members.
For many families, vacations that include outdoor
adventures provide some of the most rewarding experiences. Working
together to set up camp or cook a meal over the fire are fun ways
to teach children cooperation and the importance of teamwork. Time
spent hiking or camping creates a spirit of self-reliance and adventure,
while also enhancing one’s appreciation for the magnificence and
beauty of the great outdoors.
For access to a range of information and expert
advice on outdoor vacations, visit www.coleman.com/outernet.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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