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(UNDATED) – Tired of spending Black Friday in shopping malls?
“Opt Outside” on Nov. 29, “Black Friday,” and get free admission to any DNR property that charges a gate fee on that day. You can also get 20% off a meal at an Indiana State Park inn or lodge restaurant on Black Friday – just tell the host or hostess that you are “opting outside.”
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You also can be entered in drawings for DNR annual passes, lake permits, Smokey Bear materials, gift cards, and DNR staff-led outdoor experiences, among other items, just by choosing to #optoutside at a DNR property.
There are three main ways to participate:
Share Your Photos
Post photos of your outdoor Black Friday on DNR social media using the hashtag #OptOutsideIN2019. Posts that do not use that hashtag are not eligible for the drawings. DNR properties you can visit to participate include state parks, reservoirs, state forests, state fish & wildlife areas, nature preserves and off-road riding SRAs.
DNR social media sites for posting include division and/or property pages as well as these links:.
- Indiana State Parks Facebook page: facebook.com/INdnrstateparksandreservoirs
- Indiana Fish & Wildlife Facebook page: facebook.com/INfishandwildlife
- Indiana State Forest Facebook page: facebook.com/INdnrforestry
- Indiana Outdoor Recreation Facebook page: facebook.com/INdnroutdoorrec
- DNR Facebook page: facebook.com/INdnr
- DNR Instagram feed: instagram.com/indianadnr
Stay Overnight
Camp at a state park, reservoir or state forest recreation area, or stay at an Indiana State Park Inn on Black Friday.
The hashtag #optoutsideINN or #optoutsideCAMP must be used with your post to be eligible for the drawings.
Find out more about winter camping facilities at stateparks.IN.gov/9655.htm. Make camping reservations at camp.IN.gov or inn reservations at IndianaInns.com.
Opt Outside Scavenger Hunt
Visit any DNR property and complete the #optoutside scavenger hunt on Black Friday then return it to SPContests@dnr.IN.gov to be entered in a separate drawing for prizes and experiences.
The scavenger hunt details and an overview of the prizes for drawings and participation are listed at on.IN.gov/optoutside.
Everyone who posts a photo as described, camps or stays at an Indiana state park inn or participates in the scavenger hunt will be entered into a grand prize drawing for a gift pack from the outdoor gear retailer REI in Castleton. REI is a supporter of the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation and Indiana State Parks.
REI started the #optoutside initiative in 2015, announcing it would close its stores on Black Friday. For more information, visit rei.com/opt-outside. To read an REI blog about the benefits of being outdoors, visit rei.com/blog/news/a-dose-of-the-outdoors.