Latino Youth Complete National Mall Scavenger Hunt

WASHINGTON, July 13, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) National Convention and Exposition, more than 120 youth yesterday took part in the National Mall and Memorial Park LULAC Scavenger Hunt.

"LULAC commends the National Park Service (NPS) for incorporating and showcasing the contributions of Latinos throughout its national parks system," said LULAC National Executive Director Brent Wilkes. "The NPS has long been committed to celebrating our nation's diversity.  LULAC congratulates the NPS on its 100 years of service and pledges to continue our collaboration in order to ensure that future generations can enjoy the Latino community's connection with our national parks."

Every year as part of LULAC's National Convention & Exposition, which is being held July 12-16, LULAC hosts its Youth Conference — a three-day event for Latino youth, featuring workshops and panel discussions, opportunities to learn about career opportunities, community service and leadership.

This year LULAC partnered with the National Park Service and Hispanic Access Foundation to provide LULAC youth, ages 14-18, with the opportunity to experience history and the outdoors in our nation's capital. Participants competed to find all of the items on the scavenger hunt list and posted their findings to social media using: #LULACYouth #LULAC2016 #FindYourPark #EncuentraTuParque #Latinos4Conservation.

"As the National Park Service celebrates its centennial, we invite everyone to Encuentra Tu Parque," George Washington Memorial Parkway Superintendent Alexcy Romero said. "Parks inspire fun, creativity and curiosity, and I hope youth will value national parks as important to their lives and see joining the National Park Service as a personally rewarding career with lasting benefits to society." 

LULAC, NPS and the Hispanic Access Foundation share the desire to encourage the Latino community to engage with national parks, wildlife refuges and public lands to help ensure that these places are cherished in the future.

"As our nation's demographics continue to shift, it's important that we make strides in introducing and engaging Latino youth to our nation's public lands so that they become our next generation of environmental stewards," said Maite Arce, President and CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation. "In doing so, we can help ensure that the future of our public lands reflect America's rich and varied culture for centuries to come."

Speakers at the awards ceremony included Superintendent Alexcy Romero and Deputy Superintendent Blanca Alvarez Stransky, George Washington Memorial Parkway.

Contact: Robert Fanger
E: [email protected]
P: 317-410-7668

SOURCE Hispanic Access Foundation