YORK, Pa. — Libraries across Central Pennsylvania have teamed up once again this summer with WellSpan Health to offer a family-friendly, digital, interactive scavenger hunt through the state's countless parks and trails.
The "Get Outdoors (GO!)" program provides safe spaces for children and adults to explore and learn while also improving their physical and mental wellbeing.
From high atop the trees in South Central Pennsylvania, the beauty of our area is obvious. What's happening on the ground below the leaves and branches is the beauty of the "Get Outdoors" program.
Sandy Gladfelter is the lead coordinator of community health and wellness programs at WellSpan Health. She says the program is a free interactive outdoor scavenger hunt for the whole family, designed to exercise the body and mind.
"It's all about being a family unit, and in this day and age we really need to reconnect, so it's a great way to get them out there together," Gladfelter said.
It even helps kids be better prepared for the new school year.
"This is encouraging them to read so that the summer slide is not so great when they go back in the fall," she said.
To participate, just visit your local library to register and pick up a guidebook and rubbing sheet.
"We have directions on how to get there, we have directions on where you start and then you follow the clues to find the post somewhere in the park," Gladfelter said.
The wooden posts have a four-digit code that participants record to get credit for completing the hike.
"If they were to do all of the hikes, there would be a total of 105 of them across a six-county region," she said.
That's right, the program takes place in six counties in Central Pennsylvania including Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon and York.
A QR code links the participant to a wellness tip that can be completed right in the moment. And yes, there's an app for that.
The Manry Family has participated in the program the past five years.
"It's kind of fun trying to see how fast we can get it done every year," said Lisa Manry.
This year, they managed to visit all 30 posts in York County by June 11, just 11 days after the program began.
"We do better with routine, so it actually helps us ease into the nothing of summer, but it's also a great way to see the different parks in the county because there's so many that we didn't know about," Manry said.
The Get Outdoors program is in its 17th year, and it's not just lush forest or suburban parks; there are more urban atmospheres to check out as well, like at the York Heritage Rail Trail in downtown York.
Organizers say the program has seen much success over the years, with nearly 11,000 children participating last year alone, offering families the chance to connect with one another for some fun as well.
"We found a baby snake, and they're supposed to be very rare so they were petting that, it was pretty cool," Manry said. "You find some pretty cool stuff!"
There is even a chance to win prizes once the program ends at the end of the summer.
All counties started on June 1, but end dates vary and are as follows:
If you are interested in participating, click here.