Bass Pro Shops urges kids to 'Go Outdoors'

Bass Pro Shops is encouraging adults and children to abandon their couches and "Go Outdoors" this summer during its nationwide event to kick off the season. With technology capturing an increasing amount of Americans' spare time, Bass Pro Shops is dedicated to teaching adults and children how to "unplug" from their daily lives and "plug into" nature.

• A video game trade-in: Customers can turn in their gently used video games and receive a 15 percent discount off Bass Pro Shops branded merchandise in the fishing, water sports, tents, sleeping bags and footwear categories. (Runs from Wednesday, May 21- Monday, May 26)

• A life vest trade-in: A Coast Guard Auxiliary and Stearns Safety Team will be on hand to offer water safety courses and advice on how to properly fit life vests. Bass Pro Shops will recycle old life vests and provide customers with a $5-$50 discount off the purchase of a new Stearns life vest or SOSPENDERS inflatable personal flotation device (PFD).

• In-store classes and demonstrations: Customers are invited to attend classes on kayaking, canoeing, water safety, outdoor survival skills, GPS how-to, and more!

According to the recently National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Associated Recreation, more than 87 million Americans in 2006 hunted, fished or observed wildlife and collectively spent about $120 billion in pursuing outdoor recreation, which is as much as they spent on spectator sports, casinos, motion pictures, golf courses and country clubs, amusement parks and arcades combined.