HARRISBURG - While any time of the year is a great time to get away from the routine of the daily grind, summertime just seems to be the right time for most people to get away with either family or friends for a full-blown vacation or even a weekend.

For outdoors families planning such a getaway, there is no better place than Pennsylvania. Yes, our home state has long been attracting visitors from Eastern states to enjoy everything from touring historical sites, to camping, to hiking, to enjoying water sports from all levels of kayaking to boating to fishing.Now, in conjunction with June being designated National Great Outdoors month, an organization calling itself Get Outdoors PA is promoting all Pennsylvania's truly great outdoors has to offer. Among the activities featured are camping, fishing, boating, trail hiking and biking and nature photography.Get Outdoors PA is hoping people learn or advance these recreation activities through non-competitive programs promoting fun and recreation. As such, an organized series of events have been planned throughout the state and a schedule is included on the organization's webstie at

www.getoutdoorspa.org.In order to help Get Outdoors PA have its message reach more people, the Pennsylvania Game Commission has announced it has signed on as a flagship partner for the. Through its many resources, the PGC will provide information and guidance on outdoor recreational opportunities including hunting, shooting and wildlife watching."Get Outdoors PA events give Pennsylvanians many opportunities to venture afield and connect with wildlife, and not necessarily have to travel far from home to do it," PGC executive director Matt Hough said. "The Game Commission is proud to be part of this important partnership, and we hope hunters, trappers and wildlife-watchers are among those who take advantage of what the program has to offer."While the variety and range of organized outdoors activities suggested by Get Outdoors PA are for those of all levels of experience, there is special emphasis placed on group events for those apprehensive about attempting a new activity on their own.Recreational activities designed as group experiences include hiking, walking, biking, wildlife watching and photography, target shooting, rock climbing, Geocaching, orienteering, fishing, paddling, backpacking, camping, hunting and wilderness survival.Experienced trip leaders teach skills and lead group tours exploring state parks, forests and other open spaces. Many times equipment is included in the learning experience, all of which makes selecting an event to discover places new places on Pennsylvania's scenic lands and waters even easier.Currently, there are hundreds of events listed that will be taking place throughout the year, including wintertime activities such cross-country skiing and snowboarding. Searches on the website can be narrowed to local surroundings, or expanded explore the possibilities throughout the state.Some activities are being made possible by the support of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Recreation and Park Society and Land Trust Association. All the supporting partners are hoping Pennsylvanians take advantage of this project to increase their knowledge and appreciation of what makes the Keystone State an outdoors enthusiast's paradise.