Ice Cream Expedition Launches Nationwide Tour in Partnership with National Geographic

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This is a sponsored post

National Geographic has always been a part of my life. As a Baby Boomer, I remember as a kid repeatedly poring over every issue of the monthly magazine my Daddy filed chronologically on a massive bookshelf in his study. In fact, in the days before the Internet, computers and smartphones, "traveling" to every continent of the world framed by the famous magazine's yellow borders was an adventure like none other for me. 

Image from National Geographic

With that kind of personal history, and the fact that July is National Ice Cream Month, I couldn't be more thrilled to share some really big news that parents and kids are going to appreciate. National Geographic Kids has partnered with The Ice Cream Expedition, a new modern day cross country adventure for today's kids launching July 17 to inspire the next generation to explore and protect the world we live in.

This extract from a National Geographic Kids News Release sums up the story...

WASHINGTON (July 10, 2014)—On a mission to inspire the next generation to explore and protect their world, three recent college graduates will be driving a biodiesel ice cream truck across the country this summer, giving out free ice cream to children and encouraging them to take a conservation pledge. Caleb Kruse, Cameron Kruse and Jordan Fatke will embark next week on an Ice Cream Expedition and will be filming a documentary about how conservation is seen from a child’s point of view. The expedition received funding from a National Geographic Young Explorers Grant, and the trio is partnering with National Geographic Kids to spread the word and share the journey digitally with kids around the world.

Image Courtesy of Jordan Fatke, Cameron Kruse, Caleb Kruse

The Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California in San Diego is the starting point of this unconventional national tour which involves the trio of Young Explorers driving an ice cream truck they retrofitted themselves to run on vegetable oil through 33 states. 

Along the way there will be many scheduled stops at parks, museums, aquariums and other places where kids play and learn to give out free scoops of Magnolia Tropical Ice Cream to literally and figuratively break the ice with kids to get the conversation started talking about the importance of exploration and ways they can work to preserve nature. The trio will also be encouraging children to sign a pledge to explore and protect a special place in their own lives, like a local pond or backyard garden.

This trip from sea to shining sea begins in San Diego and concludes as summer comes to a close in New York City in September. Kids and parents can follow along as the Young Explorers share photos and updates on The Ice Cream Expedition blog as well as by tracking their posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the #icecreamexpedition hashtag.

Image by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Tentative Schedule

• San Diego, July 17
• Los Angeles, July 18
• San Francisco, July 20
• Portland, OR, July 23
• Seattle, July 25
• Boulder, CO, Aug. 2
• Colorado Springs, CO, Aug. 3
• Lincoln, NE, Aug. 6
• Austin, TX, Aug. 10
• New Orleans, Aug. 16
• Tallahassee, FL, Aug. 24
• Charlotte, NC, Aug. 30
• Chicago, Sept. 6
• Washington, D.C., Sept. 12
• Boston, Sept. 20
• New York City, Sept. 23

* Locations and dates are subject to change. 

The public is invited to view the detailed trip itinerary, and take the conservation pledge on National Geographic Kids' Ice Cream Expedition Home Page. National Geographic Kids magazine will feature highlights from this summer's Ice Cream Expedition in the September 2014 issue.

Image from Magnolia

Magnolia Tropical Ice Cream -- a third generation, family run business in Northern California for more than 40 years, will be donating all the ice cream for this ultimate adventure trip, offering tropical flavors including avocado, mango, guava and purple yam and coconut blend.

About National Geographic Young Explorers Grant
Since 2007, the Young Explorers Grants program has contributed to the field project costs for more than 350 young adults, ages 18-25 to pursue field-based research, conservation and exploration projects in line with National Geographic's existing grant programs.

About National Geographic Kids
National Geographic Kids inspires young adventurers to explore the world through award-winning magazines, books, apps, games, toys, videos, events and a website. It is the only kids brand with a world-class scientific organization at its core. National Geographic Kids magazine (10 issues/year) and Little Kids magazine (6 issues/year) are photo-driven publications available on newsstands or by subscription in print and digital. For more informaiton as well as lots of free hands-on learning activities for your child, visit the award-winning National Geographic Kids website. You are also invited to learn more by following the brand on Twitter and Facebook.

FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I disclose that I am a National Geographic Kids Insider and as a brand ambassador and have received a variety of products and publications from National Geographic Kids to aid my involvement. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.