Woolrich, the rugged outdoor apparel company based in central Pennsylvania, is teaming up with Keystone Trails Association (KTA) for 2012 and beyond to help maintain the current trail system, promote trail usage, and boost KTA membership.

Trails and trail stewardship have been a part of Woolrich’s heritage for over 180 years. The Mid State Trail runs right past our mill in the village of Woolrich, PA, and we’re proud to officially expand our support of hiking and trail maintenance in Pennsylvania by being a sponsor of KTA’s 2012 Trail Care program.

Woolrich’s support of KTA is part of a larger initiative by the company to grow outdoor participation, and specifically hiking, nationally. Along with sponsoring the KTA, Woolrich has engaged in support of the Great Eastern Trail (GET). The GET stretches for more than 2,000 miles from New York to Alabama through the linkage of a series of the East Coast’s most popular paths, including the Mid State Trail. Currently, the GET is 70 percent complete, and Woolrich is working with its industry partners and local associations, like KTA, to map, maintain, blaze and re-blaze the GET.

Last November, Woolrich brought together representatives from KTA, the Great Eastern Trail, the Mid State Trail, the Standing Stone Trail, and Backpacker Magazine. Over the two-day gathering, hosted at Woolrich’s Brayton Lodge, the group developed a cooperative effort that would also include several other trail associations along the GET. The goals are to increase the volunteer base to maintain trails and increase revenue streams to support the group’s individual and collective initiatives.

For the past several years, Woolrich has been a sponsor of Backpacker’s “Get Out More Tour,” which travels throughout the country to retail stores and events to educate consumers about the skills and equipment needed to safely enjoy the outdoors. On the 2012 tour, Woolrich and Backpacker are adding a segment on the Great Eastern Trail to the program that will give KTA, and the other groups involved, additional visibility. Woolrich has also developed an advertising campaign to further support the initiative.

One of the major stops on the tour each year is the stop at the Woolrich flagship store in Woolrich, PA. This year the stop will coincide with National Trails Day, and Woolrich is planning a number of activities and trail-focused events for the stop.

In addition to the Woolrich event, the “Get Out More Tour” will make additional stops throughout Pennsylvania and along the GET. The tour runs from the early spring through late fall. A complete tour schedule will soon be available here.

Woolrich’s support of the KTA as a Trail Care Sponsor will include the company’s involvement in KTA Trail Care events. Along with volunteers from the company joining in to assist at the events, Woolrich will be providing T-shirts and supplies to the volunteers. We hope that you will join us and Woolrich at a Trail Care event near you:

Woolrich: A KTA Trail Care Program Sponsor