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Local companies partner to make ecotourism thrive Tourism Facts: The International Ecotourism The barn’s “living,” vegetative roof Tourism is an economic driver. Society defines ecotourism as will capture rainwater for reuse The is responsible travel to natural and create a robust composting comprised of four counties: areas that conserves the program. Rodale Institute, a Carbon, Monroe, Pike and environment, sustains the well- leader in regenerative farming, is Wayne. Travelers spent an being of the local people and partnering with Pocono Organics to estimated $3.9 billion within involves interpretation and lend its expertise. the region in 2017. In Carbon education. In the near future, Pocono County, travelers spent $426.5 A popular tourist destination in Organics will launch a veteran million. In Monroe County, the Pocono Mountain region farmer training program that will travelers spent $2.3 billion. In – Pocono Raceway – will be provide veterans an opportunity Pike County, travelers spent adding ecotourism to its list of to reintegrate into civilian life. Five $691.9 million. In Wayne attractions with a new organic veterans will live in a five-bedroom County, travelers spent $462.3 farm located on raceway house onsite for 2-4 months. The million. property. veterans will participate in a hands- Employment within the region on program, learning from experts resulted in a total of 26,010 Pocono Organics, a non-GMO in indoor and outdoor growing. farm that produces organic jobs in 2017, including 2,947 food through “regenerative” The farm will also feature an in Carbon County, 14,488 in agriculture designed to reverse organic farmer’s market to allow Monroe County, 5,322 in Pike climate change – is constructing the community to purchase organic County, and 3,253 in Wayne a 30,000-square-foot state-of-the food year-round and participate in County. Tax revenue for -art-barn for food processing seasonal organic farming programs. state and local governments and storage. The barn will be There will also be space for special generated $369.3 million in attached to nearly 40,000 square events, weddings, programs and 2017: $36.5 million in Carbon feet of greenhouses providing festivals. County; $217.8 million in year-round harvests. The farm Monroe County; $71.2 million in will draw its power from the 3 It’s exciting to see these companies Pike County; and $43.8 million megawatt, 25-acre solar farm that opening the door to new green in Wayne County. ways of engaging the community. also powers Pocono Raceway. Source: The Economic Impact of Travel and Tourism in (Tourism Sources: The International Ecotourism Society, Pocono Raceway and Rodale Institute. Economics, 2017). 1 2 3

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Tourism and Recreational Development Committee, Democratic Caucus T T T H R H R H R E E E E E State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta • 181st Legislative District • Democratic Chairman, Subcommittee on Travel Promotion, History & Heritage E R E R E R XPLO XPLO EXPLO The Pocono Raceway Tour Recap

The members of the Tourism Bureau Welcome Center shares and fireworks on Saturday night. and Recreational Development information about area attractions, Fan Fair Committee toured the Pocono resorts and events. Raceway and learned of the Located behind the grandstands; a Provides free activities: morning ticketed area. innovative measures raceway yoga, health and wellness programs, executives are taking to remain arts and crafts, photography classes Features: Lehigh Valley Reilly leaders both on and off the track. For and education programs. Children’s Hospital Kids Zone, example, in addition to providing interactive sponsor display areas, free an inclusive experience for guests Pocono Mountains Inclusive carnival, a new fan stage and pay-to- and their families, executives Playground play arcade games for all ages. are committed to reducing their A playground designed for Sky Boxes business’s carbon footprint and children of all ages and abilities to engaging the community and region play together. Named one of the Located above the raceway. in sustainable practices such as top 100 inclusive playgrounds in the Includes: fully enclosed, air- organic farming. country. conditioned sky boxes with closed- The Village at Pocono circuit tv, tiered seating and pre-race Open to local residents and pit and paddock passes. Located adjacent to the Pocono track visitors to use free of charge Raceway; owned and operated by throughout the spring, summer and Offered in three sizes, with seating the raceway. fall months. capacity for 12, 35 or 56 guests. Offers: fitness center, indoor Pocono Raceway Camping Pocono Solar Farm aquatic center, men’s and women’s Kids 12 and under have free access The Pocono Raceway has become locker rooms with saunas, fireside to infield camping areas, family RV one of the most environmentally lounge, billiard parlor, game room, camping and trackside RV area with conscious tracks in NASCAR. tennis court, basketball court, paying adults. Features a Bark Park— In August 2010, the Pocono Solar playground, walking trails, picnic the first NASCAR track with a dog areas and theater room. Project came online. The raceway park! can run 100% of the facility with the Pocono Mountains Activities & All camping guests have access to power produced, as well as offset all Welcome Center free infield entertainment, including the additional power needs required The Pocono Mountains Visitors live music Friday and Saturday nights by NASCAR during an event. Destination Inspiration Drive Your Own Car on Track Includes: two 15-minute sessions on he Pocono Raceway offers a variety of onsite attractions. the racetrack with no speed limits and T Race-related activities provide guests with an authentic race day experience. These activities passing allowed. are great for birthday celebrations, weekend adventures, bachelor parties and team-building A 10 + mile drive features 4 laps of activities. adrenaline-filled fun on the speedway Other outdoor activities within proximity to the raceway include Pocono Tree Ventures, which racetrack, while a 20 + mile drive features provides ropes courses for adults and children, and Pocono Action sports, which offers water 8 laps on the track. activities for adults.

Stock Car Racing Experience Pocono Tree Ventures Drive a 600-horsepower NASCAR-style stock car traveling at 160 mph around NASCAR’s famous Pocono Raceway. 5 courses are available, varying in height and difficulty. Great for corporate Includes: one-hour training session, classroom instruction, outings and team-building exercises, race car orientation, safety gear and discovery laps in a birthday parties and family reunions. passenger van for racetrack orientation. Conducted between May and October, with approximately 30 racing dates Includes: TruClimb (2 trees have available on weekdays and weekends. been turned into climbing “walls”), Kid Ventures (2 kid-friendly courses for children ages 4-7), and the new attraction Pocono Zip Quest (offers 9 ziplines connected by ladders and bridges).

Pocono “Race a Slingshot Pro Kart” Rentals Experience Half-day and Introduction full-day rentals are to team pro available. Half- kart racing. Pocono Action Sports day rentals are 4 hours in length; great for The program provides professional training, sightseeing. Full-day rentals are 8 hours personal training and 30 minutes of behind- Located at the Lighthouse Harbor in length; great for exploring the Pocono the-wheel training. Marina on . Mountains area. 3-hour individual kart race that includes a Available 7 days a week, weather There are three suggested routes: the Jim team with two other participants. Individuals permitting. Rentals for ski boats, Thorpe Ride, the Lake Wallenpaupack Ride; can compete with up to 13 other teams. pontoon boats, premium pontoon and the Hickory Run and Francis E. Walter boats, fishing boats, sailboats, personal Dam Ride. watercraft, paddleboards, , knee boards and single-rider tubes. For more information, be sure to check out the Pocono Raceway website by visiting www.poconoraceway.com. Natural Wonders Located in Monroe and Wayne counties. Includes the Gouldsboro Lake. Offers: , picnicking, swimming, wildlife watch, boating, fishing, and mountain biking.

Big Pocono State Park Located in Monroe County. Spans two counties: Monroe and Wayne. Home to the Cameltop Restaurant, which Includes the Tobyhanna Lake. Tobyhanna provides refreshments for park visitors. The is an American Indian word that means “a restaurant is open daily from Memorial Day stream whose banks are fringed with alder.” Spans four counties: Pike, Monroe, Northampton and Carbon. to Columbus Day. Offers: hiking, picnicking, camping, Offers: hiking, picnicking, wildlife swimming, wildlife watching, boating, Named after the Delaware River. watching, hunting, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, mountain biking, ice Offers: 200 miles of shared-use horseback riding and downhill skiing. skating and snowmobiling. hiking trails, scenic vistas, camping, hunting, fishing, 28 miles of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riding, snowmobile trails, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, nature education programs, horseback Located on the Pocono Plateau, riding, mountain biking, boating, which is 1,800 ft. above sea level. kayaking and canoeing. Home of the Masker Museum, one of the largest civilian conservation corps museums in the commonwealth. The museum features: interactive stories, displays, artifacts, children’s books and bird observation area. Open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Located in Wayne County. Offers: an environmental Includes Prompton Lake. education program, a beach, Offers: 26 miles of hiking trails, Pickerel Point campground, picnicking, boating, fishing, hunting, hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, mountain biking, disc golfing, hunting, biking, mountain biking, sledding and cross-country skiing. horseback riding, orienteering, cross-country skiing, ice skating and snowmobiling. Travel Tips Time for a tune up?

he National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) T recommends before hitting the road, schedule a preventive maintenance appointment with a qualified mechanic. Road trip vehicle maintenance should involve a check of your vehicle’s tire pressure, seatbelts, fluid levels, air conditioner and lights.