Reps. Foster, Hughes, Price, Barnett, Constan, Crawford, Darany, Denby, Heise, Horn, Huuki, Kandrevas, LeBlanc, Lindberg, Liss, Poleski, Slavens and Tyler offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 105. 

A resolution to declare August 2011 as Camping and Recreational Vehicle Month in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, Michigan has been welcoming campers to its woodlands, freshwater shoreline and inland lakes and streams in two distinct peninsulas, nestled in the middle of the Great Lakes region, for generations; and

Whereas, Michigan has more than 950 licensed private recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds, with more than 111,000 licensed camp sites, and more than 160 county or government operated campgrounds with over 14,700 sites from rustic to full-service around the state; and

Whereas, Michigan is home to 98 state parks and recreation areas and 133 state forest campgrounds under the auspices of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, as well as 7 forests, parks, and lakeshores in Michigan under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service, collectively offering 15,000 sites on state and federal lands designated for camping; and

Whereas, Camping is a key contributor to the state’s overall tourism industry of more than $17 billion dollars, offering a true “Pure Michigan” experience; and

Whereas, Camping also encourages visitors and locals alike to partake in activities such as boating, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, paddling, pedaling, geocaching, nature watching, photography, and other outdoor activities, which also highlight Michigan’s great outdoors; and

Whereas, Michigan boasts two non-profit organizations, the Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds of Michigan and the Michigan Association of Recreational Vehicles and  Campgrounds, which equally promote and support private campground and RV parks throughout the state particularly by the distribution of hundreds of thousands of free camping directories at RV and outdoor shows, at statewide chambers of commerce, libraries, lawmakers offices, RV sales businesses, campgrounds and Michigan Travel Information Centers; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare August 2011 as Camping and Recreational Vehicle Month in the state of Michigan. We encourage all citizens to take advantage of our great state’s array of sun, freshwater coastline, woodlands, soft breezes and fresh air where the temperate climate allows for great camping and outdoor recreation.