Page, Ariz. – Mar. 26, 2009 – In recognition of Earth Day 2009, Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas, managed by ARAMARK Parks and Destinations, will host 100 6th grade students from Oak Tree Elementary School in Gilbert, Ariz. on April 23, 2009. During their visit, the students will plant seeds, enjoy tours and stay overnight at Lake Powell Resort. In conjunction with the National Park Service, ARAMARK is committed to encouraging today’s youth to visit and enjoy our National Parks.

Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas staff, ARAMARK volunteers, and Oak Tree Elementary School students and teachers will participate in the event, which includes seed planting activities, a tour of Glen Canyon Dam, an Antelope Canyon Cruise, and a special dedication ceremony and pizza party. 

The Oak Tree Elementary student program at Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas is an extension of ARAMARK’s partnership with the National Park Foundation’s First Bloom program, which teaches youth in their communities about the science of native plants and encourages them to protect the environment in America’s celebrated national parks and in their own backyards. ARAMARK Parks and Destinations is a leading concessionaire of national parks, resorts, and hospitality services.

“We look forward to welcoming the Oak Tree Elementary School students and staff to Lake Powell for a special environmental educational program to celebrate Earth Day,” said Bruce Fears, president, ARAMARK Parks and Destinations. “Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas, like all ARAMARK destinations, has a deep respect for and commitment to protecting and improving the environment, and we’re glad to be partnering with Phoenix area students to increase environmental awareness in Arizona and nationwide.”

“There is no better tool for teaching students than giving them hands-on experience, and the activities planned at Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas will allow Oak Tree students to learn firsthand the significance of preserving the environment,” said Tim Lalko, head teacher at Oak Tree Elementary School.  “Our students are looking forward to spending the day outside at Lake Powell to learn more about Glen Canyon Recreation Area and the things they can do to help protect Arizona’s great outdoors.”

Through the company’s environmental stewardship platform, “Green Thread,” ARAMARK and Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas continues to promote and implement environmentally friendly practices. Last year, Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas announced that its recycling efforts surpassed one million pounds. A total of 1,049,345 pounds of recycle material was collected from the five marinas – Wahweap, Bullfrog, Hite, Dangling Rope and Halls Crossing – 300,000 pounds more than the average collected during the previous three years.

Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas will continue its commitment to the environment when the state-of-the-art recycling facility in town opens to the public on April 25. On this day, Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas will also provide food and beverages and host an educational booth in the park. For more information on Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas’ environmental efforts or houseboating rentals, please visit www.lakepowell.com.

About Lake Powell
Lake Powell, the second largest manmade lake in the U.S., is located on the border of Utah and Arizona in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and offers nearly 2,000 miles of spectacular shoreline with towering red rock sandstone cliffs, more than 90 major canyons, blue-green water and sandy beaches.

About Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas
Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas provides houseboat and powerboat rentals, lodging and scenic tours.  For more information or to book a houseboat vacation, call (888) 486-4665 or visit www.lakepowell.com/news. Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas, managed by ARAMARK, is an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

About ARAMARK Parks and Destinations
ARAMARK Parks and Destinations, a division of ARAMARK, provides a wide range of professional services, including property management, hospitality services and recreational support to specialty hotels, resorts, national and state parks, national forest service and other tourist destinations throughout the United States. ARAMARK Parks and Destinations seeks to create memorable experiences at destinations by bringing the best in environmental stewardship, sustainable cuisine and interpretive programs to the guests it serves. For more information on ARAMARK Parks and Destinations and each of its properties, visit www.aramarkparksanddestinations.com.