The Aguirres were not camping people. We did not pack the car with gear to enjoy nature and visit the outdoors.

I theorized it was because my parents had grown up working in fields. Having fulfilled the American dream of homeownership, why would they want to go outdoors to see trees (even extra-tall ones) when there's one in the backyard?

It turns out Hispanics here aren't visiting our national parks at the same rate as non- Hispanics. Only 10% of visitors to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks were of Hispanic descent, according to a 2002 survey. While Hispanics represent nearly 50% of Fresno County's population, only 8% of visitors to Yosemite in 2005 were Hispanic.

"I think it's a matter of Hispanics not being plugged into camping information or not having friends who camp," says Philip Hoelzel, author of the 80-page guide "Como Acampar" ["How to Camp"] ($12.95).

Hoelzel, who is bilingual, will pro- mote the wonders of the great out- doors at National Parks Family Day, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Roeding Park. And no, you don't have to be Hispanic to attend.

The free event will feature park rangers discussing nature, wildlife and the history of national parks. In addition to music and dance performances (not by the park rangers), folks can enter to win one of 400 free day passes to the parks.

Hoelzel, 39, experienced a childhood filled with camping trips in Florida, North Carolina, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin. He'd like more families to take in the scenery.

(During a phone interview, I didn't have the heart to tell Hoelzel that we have never taken Natalie to Yosemite. She enjoys lording this fact over us, too.)

Hoelzel suggests shorter outings for non-outdoorsy types like me.

"You can get away for the day and have a picnic or go fishing," he says. "You can hike in Sequoia. You're creating family memories, and you don't even have to camp."

The Chicago native recalls camp- ing with his family from kindergarten to his high school years.

"I enjoyed the fishing and learning about the outdoors from park rangers. We would star gaze and tell jokes around the campfire," he says.

Fresno resident Laura M. Guzman Magill, who was raised camping, has enjoyed family trips to Yosemite. "We love Yosemite and taking day or overnight trips and staying in the campgrounds."

She says they ride rental bikes, go ice skating, watch the waterfalls or swim in the river.

If others travel great distances to see Yosemite, she says, why wouldn't locals visit the park? Her family's last Christmas card showed them at Yosemite. She was surprised 99.9% of friends didn't recognize the Glacier Point landmark.

"We really appreciate the beauty that surrounds the valley," she says. "We had a great time when we took our trip for our Christmas photo. With no electronics, we all just sat by the fire, made dinner over the fire, roasted marshmallows into the late night and talked. How often can you do that with teens these days?"

For more info on the event at Roeding Park, go to www.npca.org/familyday or www.cchcc.net.