In the last days of January 2024 outfitters convened in Washington, DC, for face-to-face discussions with members of Congress, their staff, and key figures within public lands agencies. The America Outdoors annual DC fly-in, Camp Washington, was out in force early this 2024 with 26 participants visiting representatives from 16 states, with more than 50 meetings in three days. Outfitters representing Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Idaho, Utah, West Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming strategically dispersed into small teams throughout the House and Senate office buildings. The primary focus for Camp Washington this year was to advocate for improving the permitting process and establishing an overtime exemption for seasonal operators.
The Issues
1. Streamline the Permitting Process with AORA and EXPLORE Act
America’s outfitters shared their appreciate for progress on the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act (SOAR) Act. The SOAR Act, incorporated in Title III of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act (HR 6492), passed the House Natural Resources on January 17, 2024, with unanimous consent, just two weeks before Camp Washington. When visiting members of the Senate, outfitters encouraged them to keep the momentum going when EXPLORE passes through the House.
2. Expand Support for Overtime Bill
Meeting with members of the Senate and House Committees responsible for the Outdoor Recreational Outfitter and Guide Act (H.R. 6128) and its counterpart in the Senate (S. 2914). Outfitters sought to educate and motivate further action on the bill, which amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to exempt certain employees engaged in guiding for seasonal outdoor recreation providers from maximum hours requirements. In addition to the bi-partisan, bi-cameral co-sponsorship the bill already enjoys, several additional members expressed interest in co-sponsoring the bill.
3. National Park Service Program initiatives
Outfitters spent time with Kurt Rausch, Commercial Services Program Chief, and Justin Unger, Associate Director for Business Services at the National Park Service. Topics ranged from implementation of the final concessions rule, to changing insurance landscapes, to input-gathering on minimizing single-use plastics. With so many outfitters operating on NPS lands in some capacity, the information was timely and relevant.
Thank you to the outfitters who participated in Camp Washington: Kathryn Blitz, John Dillon, Steven Foy, John Gonano, Korey & Mitch Hampton, Steve & Eva Hatch, Kameron Kelsey, Matt Knott, Aaron Lieberman, Anne, Kenneth, & Isabel Long, Ryan May, Mariah Baihly, Greg McFadden, Dave McGlashan, Brian Merrill, Robin Pace, Justin Salamon, Lucas Turner, Tyler Wendt and Pete Wallstrom. We are so grateful for your dedication to improving the industry.
We'd also like to thank our partners for their support: Idaho Outfitters and Guides, Middle Fork Outfitters Association, Association for Challenge Course Technology, Dude Ranchers Association, and the Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association, and Outdoor Recreation Roundtable.