Merrell and the National Park Foundation Ask Kids: 'If You Were a Park Ranger for a Day, How Would You Describe the National Parks to Someone Who's Never Been Before?'

ROCKFORD, Mich., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Merrell and National Park Foundation are proud to kick off the third annual Junior Ranger Essay Contest asking kids: If you were a National Park Ranger for a day, how would you describe the national parks to someone who's never been before? Essays must be no more than 500 words and winners will be selected based on originality, clarity and effectiveness of style and organization.  All children must have parental or guardian permission to enter and must be between 9 and 12 years of age.  Entries must be submitted by March 31, 2010. All essays are submitted at http://www.nationalparks.org/connect/essay-contest/.

"Remember getting outside for your first trip to a national park?" asked Amy Roder, marketing specialist at Merrell. "There's nothing like the excitement that kids have when they first experience the national parks.  The Junior Ranger Essay Contest is a chance for kids to share their enthusiasm and remind us all about why protecting the parks is so important."

Prizes:

• The First Prize Winner will receive a $200 Merrell gift certificate, an Olympus camera and an America the Beautiful pass to all of America's recreation lands. 
• The Second Prize Winner will receive a $100 Merrell gift certificate, and Olympus camera and an America the Beautiful pass to all of America's recreation lands.
• The Third Prize winner will receive a $50 Merrell gift certificate an Olympus camera and an America the Beautiful pass to all of America's recreation lands.
• Honorable mentions will also receive an America the Beautiful pass to all of America's recreation lands.

About Merrell

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 180 countries and territories.  Merrell, 9341 Courtland Drive, Rockford, Mich. 49351. Phone: (800) 789-8586; Fax: (888) 746-3329.

About the National Park Foundation

The National Park Foundation is an independent charitable organization chartered by Congress in 1967 to strengthen the connection between the American people and their national parks. As the official national non-profit partner of America's National Parks, the Foundation raises private funds, makes strategic grants, creates innovative partnerships and increases public awareness about the need and opportunity for park philanthropy. In its 2008 fiscal year, the National Park Foundation distributed grants and program support of $27.3M. For more information, visit www.nationalparks.org. FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/nationalpark. TWITTER

http://twitter.com/goparks

SOURCE Merrell