OAKHURST — Since its inception, the Welcoming Committee has grown from seven to ten members, and in 2021 they began educating visitors on how to Recreate Responsibly in the outdoors and protect the home of local wildlife.
The wild cast of characters have appeared in YouTube videos, in a printable activity kit, at select local restaurants on coloring placemats, around Madera County in the form of collectible trading cards as part of the Fossils to Falls Road Trip and Yosemite Adventure Contest, and in the new Recreate Responsibly Activity & Coloring Book.
Join the Welcoming Committee as they journey along the Fossils to Falls Road Trip and learn essential tips to recreate responsibly including Leave No Trace principles, wildlife safety, being prepared, avoiding single-use plastics and taking the Junior Ranger pledge. The Activity & Coloring Book is filled with fun puzzles, games, word scrambles and coloring pages, and the answers to the puzzles and games can be easily accessed by following the QR code on the inside cover of the book.
The Recreate Responsibly Activity & Coloring Book and crayon pack is available to pick up for free at the Oakhurst Visitor Center (40343 Highway 41, Oakhurst, CA, 93644), along with Visitor Guides, local maps, information about local lodging, dining, attractions and activities.
The Yosemite Adventure Contest runs annually from January 1st through December 31st, with monthly prize drawings during summer months and a chance to win the grand prize of a Yosemite Adventure Vacation package!
It is So Easy to Enter the Contest!
- Collect Welcoming Committee trading cards by visiting their home locations around Madera County and Yosemite National Park on the Fossils to Falls Road Trip.
- Collect two trading cards for one entry, three to nine cards for ten entries, or collect all ten cards for 20 entries.
- Enter to win – one of three ways:
- Stop at the Oakhurst Visitor Center and complete the entry form.
- Text your name, address, phone number, e-mail and a photo of all of your trading cards to Rhonda at 559-658-0150.
- E-mail your name, address, phone number, email and a photo of all of your Trading Cards to rhonda@yosemitethisyear.com.
The Yosemite Adventure Vacation Package Includes:
- Two-night stay in the southern gateway to Yosemite. (We will choose the hotel, cabin, or bed & breakfast that best fits your needs.)
- Gift cards for local dining and souvenirs!
And your choice of one of these adventures:
- Yosemite: All day Yosemite tour for two with Discover Yosemite Tours.
- Extreme Sierra: 1/2 day rock climbing for two with Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides OR a Jeep tour for up to four with Yosemite Adventure Company.
- Bass Lake: Four-hour patio boat rental on Bass Lake for the whole family.
- Family Fun: Train ride for two adults and two children on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad.
- Wine Tasting: Free tasting along the Madera Wine Trail, two bottles of local wine, and meet the winemaker experience.
The winner of the 2022 Yosemite Adventure Contest was the Lewis Family from Utah! The Lewis Family explored Madera County and Yosemite National Park in August 2022, and their four children collected trading cards from all of the locations on the Fossils to Falls Road Trip.
During their Yosemite Adventure Vacation in June, they enjoyed a two-night stay on beautiful Bass Lake, a four-hour patio boat rental for the whole family, dining at delicious restaurants, and exploring local shops for souvenirs.
About Visit Yosemite | Madera County
Formed in 1985, Visit Yosemite | Madera County’s mission is to draw the millions of Yosemite National Park visitors to its gateway’s many businesses and attractions. We invite visitors to take a journey from the Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County to the Madera Wine Trail and onward to the High Sierra. Discover incredible dining, talented tradespersons, four seasons of water sports at Bass Lake, the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad and mighty adventures right up to the massive Giant Sequoia trees.
Madera County is the gateway to so much more!
Check out this short video introducing the Visit Yosemite Welcoming Committee!
