June 30, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Sarah Melnitsky, Cronin and Company, Inc., 860-659-0514 smelnitsky@cronin-co.com

AnnMarie Kemp, Cronin and Company, Inc., 860-659-0514 akemp@cronin-co.com

“THE GREAT PARK PURSUIT” WINNERS ANNOUNCED

100 Families Battled for Prizes at Conclusion of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protections’ Eight-Week Outdoor Adventure

HARTFORD/CONN. June 30, 2006 – After visiting seven different parks and forests throughout the state as part of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) "Great Park Pursuit," 100 families converged at Fort Trumbull State Park in New London on Saturday, June 24, to partake in the finale event. Three families emerged as grand prize winners, while 15 additional families prevailed as second tier prize winners.

The Bernard family of Hartford walked away as the top prize winners and selected a camping package provided by North Cove Outfitters of Old Saybrook. Runners up included the Pratt Farm team of South Glastonbury, who took home a kayak package, and the Maroon Dog Farm team of Columbia, who won a hiking package.

The winning families were among hundreds of teams from across the state that participated in this game, which kicked off on May 6 at Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill. The game was part of No Child Left Inside℠ – a statewide initiative launched earlier this year designed to raise awareness for state parks and forests and build enthusiasm for the outdoors among children.

“The initial response to the game was incredible, as an overwhelming number of families registered to participate in the Great Park Pursuit,” said DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy. “The families that came out for these eight-weeks, often times braving torrential rain, were unbelievably enthusiastic and helped make this program successful beyond our expectations.”

In fact, a total of 100 families attended all parks on the game schedule – where they enjoyed a variety of fun and educational activities – and were qualified as finalists for a chance to win outdoor equipment packages.

At Fort Trumbull State Park, the finalists were required to take a short “Great Park Pursuit” quiz that tested teams on the parks they had visited. Eight families aced the quiz, allowing them to move on to the final competition which determined the grand prize winners. Ten additional families missed only a question or two and qualified to compete for second tier prizes.

After marching to the top of Fort Trumbull, the families were armed with three sponge balls and a slingshot with instructions to hit a white row boat target sitting in the field below. Once all the “cannonballs” had been launched, the winners were determined by their proximity to the target.

With impeccable aim, Team Bernard of Hartford landed their “cannonballs” within three feet of the target, earning them the top spot in the Pursuit. Only six feet away from the boat was the Pratt Farm team of South Glastonbury, and the Maroon Dog Farm team of Columbia rounded out the top three by landing within seven feet of the target.

The additional 15 teams that qualified for the final competition were awarded second tier prizes including binoculars and personal flotation devices. All families attending the final event received flashlights and children received Great Park Pursuit t-shirts.

“The event at Fort Trumbull was the perfect way to wrap up this exciting game,” said Commissioner McCarthy. “Every step of this journey has allowed participating families to experience our state parks and forests and their many resources first hand.”

During the “Great Park Pursuit,” Connecticut families decoded clues and journeyed to different state parks and forests over an eight-week period. At each location, teams were asked to complete various activities such as scavenger hunts, hikes, fishing contests and more. At the end of each task, families received a clue to the following week’s park or forest.

Registered families also had the opportunity to create their own personal family page on the campaign web site. Many teams posted photos and comments to track their game progress.

The No Child Left Inside campaign was created by the DEP to raise awareness for the recreational activities available at the state’s 137 state parks and forests, attract families to the parks and build enthusiasm for the outdoors among children. “The Great Park Pursuit” was executed by DEP with support from the Friends of Connecticut State Parks, Connecticut Forest and Park Association, WFSB-TV/3, North Cove Outfitters and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

For more information, visit www.nochildleftinside.org.