When I was a young lad, I didn't have much choice but to get outside and enjoy the world around me. Sure, I grew up in suburban Portland, but my parents and grandparents placed great value on getting into the outdoors.

My mom grew up on a rural ranch in the Salinas Valley in California, and my dad ventured away from his Los Angeles area home on multiple family camping trips to the Sierras. I spent time as a youngster fishing for trout in Rogue River tributaries, hiking in the Columbia Gorge, rafting, and backpacking.

These days, kids are getting outside less and study after study is showing that they're worse off for it.

In response, the US Forest Service is launching a campaign today to get kids out into the great outdoors.  The program is called "National Get Outdoors Day" (or, GO Day), and the Forest Service is getting some help from a digital character that kids just might relate to.

The Ad Council and Dreamworks have teamed up with the feds to produce PSAs featuring everyone's favorite ogre, "Shrek." Check out the first ad below:

Here's what Forest Service chief Tom Tidwell had to say about GO Day:

"GO Day provides a great opportunity for kids from all walks of life to explore and enjoy our national forests," said Tidwell.  "We especially hope to see a lot of first-time visitors to our forests and grasslands to instill a sense of pride and ownership of our country's diverse landscapes and resources."

You can read more from the USFS press release and keep your eyes out for more Shrek characters in the woods.