Former New England Patriot Kicks Off Latest Stop of Traveling Tree Exhibit in the Heart of Boston

10/08/09
BOSTON (October 8, 2009) – Bostonians will have more than the changing colors of leaves to celebrate this fall season as "Exploring Trees Inside and Out" officially opens today at Boston Children's Museum. Touting colorful leaf piles along with other fun tree-related adventures, the interactive environmental education exhibit presented by Doubletree Hotels and the Arbor Day Foundation is a must-see for fall foliage seekers throughout New England. The three-year environmental education project, which already has welcomed nearly 500,000 visitors, encourages family members of all ages to explore the incredible wonders of trees in a dynamic indoor experience.

To provide a warm welcome to the Northeast, former New England Patriots star Troy Brown, kicked-off grand opening events at Boston Children's Museum along with 40 Boston area elementary school students. Brown is an avid supporter of the environment and often encourages his own children to get outdoors to experience the benefits of nature.

"Boston's rich fall foliage is an essential part of the city's culture," said Gail Ringel, vice president of exhibits and production for Boston Children's Museum. "The Museum strives to offer meaningful exhibits that entertain and educate visitors, in addition to fostering educational lessons for children of all ages. 'Exploring Trees Inside and Out' is a natural fit, bringing our visitors a variety of fun activities that can be enjoyed well beyond the Museum experience."

Designed by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Dimensions Educational Research Foundation, "Exploring Trees Inside and Out" is a spacious, 2,500-square-foot exhibit created for kids ages two to 10 to develop a better understanding about the significant role trees play in the environment. A variety of inventive and interactive activities allow children to explore trees in a multi-sensory way through its fun-packed and educational components. For example, children will be able to:

? Crawl through a log and experience it as a habitat for other living things
? Help a seed "grow" into a young oak inside a huge acorn
? Explore the "heart" of a tree trunk and move the "blood" of the tree up and down its "veins"
? Smell scents from various trees, then discover just a few of the many products we get from trees
? Hear the sounds of animals that live in trees, and even become a forest creature in a "green screen" experience that allows children to fly like a bird and soar over the treetops

"As part of a six-year community outreach relationship with the Arbor Day Foundation, Doubletree Hotels is proud to sponsor the national tour of 'Exploring Trees Inside and Out' and bring this great environmental education exhibit to the Boston area," said Mary Beth Parks, vice president – brand marketing for Doubletree Hotels. "The colorful display of fall foliage in this region is world-renowned and we hope the lessons learned by thousands of visitors of all ages inside this unique exhibit will inspire them to further enjoy and appreciate the great outdoors during this incredible time of the year."

"Exploring Trees Inside and Out" will be on display at Boston Children's Museum through January 3, 2010. This is the sixth location in the country to showcase the exhibit. "Exploring Trees Inside and Out" will continue its tour to some of the top science centers and children's museums in Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Chicago during 2010.

"The Arbor Day Foundation developed the 'Exploring Trees Inside and Out' Traveling exhibit with Dimensions Educational Research Foundation in the hopes that people leave with a greater understanding and appreciation of trees," said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. "Boston Children's Museum has taken an important leadership role in a profoundly needed initiative to connect young children with nature, setting a wonderful example for children's museums across the country. Everyone at the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation appreciates the commitment that Doubletree Hotels and Boston Children's Museum have made to inspire and educate both children and adults on the role that nature plays in our everyday lives."

Entry to "Exploring Trees Inside and Out" is included with admission to Boston Children's Museum. The Museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Fridays until 9:00 p.m. Admission is $12.00 for adults; $9.00 for children ages 1-15 and senior citizens; and children under one are free. Boston Children's Museum is located at 308 Congress Street. The Museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For more information or to support Boston Children's Museum, visit their Web site at www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/ or call 617-426-6500.

For more information about the everyday importance of trees and the "Exploring Trees Inside and Out" traveling exhibit, please visit www.doubletree.com/thinktrees.

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About Boston Children's Museum
Boston Children's Museum exists to help children understand and enjoy the world in which they live. It is a private, non-profit, educational institution that is recognized internationally as a research and development center and pacesetter for children's exhibitions, educational programs and curriculum. Boston Children's Museum incorporates two strategies - engaging families and building communities - to impact five outcome areas for children: Creative Kids, Curious Kids, Global Kids, Green Kids and Healthy Kids. More information about Boston Children's Museum can be found at www.BostonChildrensMuseum.org.

About the Arbor Day Foundation
The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit conservation and education organization of nearly one million members, with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at www.arborday.org.

About Doubletree Hotels
With a growing collection of contemporary, upscale accommodations in more than 200 gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations worldwide, Doubletree hotels and resorts are distinctively designed properties that provide true comfort to today's business and leisure travelers. From the millions of delighted hotel guests who are welcomed with the brand's legendary, warm chocolate chip cookies at check-in to the advantages of the award-winning Hilton HHonors guest reward programme, each Doubletree guest receives a satisfying stay wherever their travels take them.
Doubletree is part of Hilton Worldwide, a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 90 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Our brands are comprised of more than 3,300 hotels in 77 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors.