Children and families across Adams County will be able to “Get Outdoors (GO)” through the 4th annual GO Adams! Initiative, a digital program promoting socially distant physical activity and reading that starts on July 1st.
The free program, a partnership between WellSpan Health and Adams County Library, encourages children and parents to get outdoors and be physically active by engaging in an adaptation of letterboxing, a hobby in which participants must follow written clues to locate hidden items.
This year, the program focuses on folk tales, mythology and fantasy with story pages themed, “GO and Find Your Story!” 15 wooden posts with an attached etched rubbing plate are hidden in various parks and trails in Adams County. Participants use a crayon or colored pencil to rub the picture on the etched plate onto the page within their activity book.
Rubbing sheets can be picked up at the library curb. All hidden posts have a unique 4-digit code that participants enter through their library accounts to receive credit for the hike. Unlike in previous years, rubbing sheets will not be collected, so it’s important to enter the 4-digit code onto the library account app to receive credit.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and working to stop the spread of germs, our partnership with the library system has evolved, allowing participants to log hikes through an online application within their library account, called Beanstack,” Sandy Gladfelter, Wellspan Health Educator, said. “These partnerships help families enjoy fun and physical activity together.”
Participants are asked to follow the safety guidelines, including social distancing, mask-wearing, washing and sanitizing hands frequently, and being physically active.
Kids who log at least three completed etchings will receive a prize. Additional grand prizes will be awarded, based on the number of etched rubbings completed (or digital codes recorded). Further information is available at www.GoAdams.org.