Students Trade Spring Break for Work on Florida Trail

 (3BL Media / theCSRfeed) Orlando, FL - March 07, 2011 - American Eagle Outfitters and the Student Conservation Association (SCA) today announced their annual Alternative Spring Break program. The program's goal is to provide the ultimate educational and work experience to a new generation of conservation leaders from across the U.S.

Sandy beaches, sunny days and endless nights lure thousands of college students to central Florida every Spring Break. This year, 60 students are blazing their own trail to Orlando, where they will build a new section of the Florida National Scenic Trail.

"American Eagle Outfitters customers care about the environment, and offering ways for them to get involved makes sense for our brand," said American Eagle Outfitters Foundation Director Marcie Eberhart. "SCA's leadership in youth engagement and conservation stewardship ensures this initiative will benefit the Florida National Scenic Trail and all who hike it."

Two SCA teams of 30 college students each will build two new sections of trail, with work taking place March 6-12 and again from March 20-26 in and near Charles H. Bronson State Forest. Both segments are part of a projected ten-mile corridor that, once completed, will link major sections of the Florida National Scenic Trail to the north and south of the greater Orlando area. Surrounded by the urban-sprawl of Orlando, the trail will provide hiking opportunities for people to get outdoors and connect with a spectacular local landscape filled with diverse flora and fauna. Work days will also include brush removal and construction of a 500-foot boardwalk. Students will camp in tents during their stay and also participate in a day of environmental education at Canaveral National Seashore.

"The great outdoors is the greatest classroom there is, and SCA is grateful to American Eagle Outfitters for making this experiential learning opportunity available year after year," says SCA President Dale Penny.

American Eagle Outfitters and SCA have teamed up to sponsor Alternative Spring Breaks since 2006; previous projects have been conducted outside Panama City and at the Grand Canyon. American Eagle Outfitters has also sponsored SCA outreach and conducted numerous online and point-of-purchase promotions in support of the nonprofit organization.

About SCA  

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) builds new generations of conservation leaders and inspires lifelong stewardship by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land. SCA members protect endangered species, restore threatened habitats, and provide visitor services and more, annually performing two million hours of service in all 50 states, from local communities to national parks and forests. Founded in 1957, the non-profit SCA has offices in Boise, ID, Charlestown, NH, Oakland, CA, Pittsburgh, PA, Seattle, WA, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit http://www.thesca.org.

About American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.   American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., through its subsidiaries, ("AEO, Inc.") offers high-quality, on-trend clothing, accessories and personal care products at affordable prices. The American Eagle Outfitters® brand targets 15 to 25 year old girls and guys, with 942 stores in the U.S. and Canada and online at http://www.ae.com. aerie® by american eagle offers Dormwear® and intimates collections for the AE® girl, with 139 standalone stores in the U.S. and Canada and online at http://www.aerie.com. The latest brand, 77kids by american eagle®, is available online only at http://www.77kids.com. The 77kids® brand offers "kid cool," durable clothing and accessories for kids ages two to 10. AE.COM®, the online home of the brands of AEO, Inc., ships to more than 76 countries worldwide.  

Contact Media Relations: Deirdre Fitzgerald dfitzgerald@theSCA.org P: (603) 504-3263