WellSpan Health’s popular Get Outdoors (GO!) program is back for its 18th summer, offering a free, family-friendly scavenger hunt that encourages children and caregivers to stay active while learning. Partnering with local libraries across central Pennsylvania, the program now reaches seven counties with the addition of Union County, joining Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York.
This year’s theme, “Get Outdoors and Color Our World,” invites participants to explore local trails and parks while engaging with books and interactive activities focused on color. The program also introduces a new math component, further strengthening its mission to stimulate both physical and intellectual development.
Families begin their GO! journey by picking up a guidebook, or “sketchbook,” at a participating library. Using clues, they locate hidden wooden posts called markers along one of 114 trails, many of which are accessible by wheelchair or stroller. Children collect crayon rubbings from each marker and can also log their discoveries through the Beanstack app using unique codes found at each site.
The program aims to combat “summer slide”—a seasonal decline in reading and problem-solving skills—and address childhood obesity by keeping children engaged in fun, healthy outdoor activity. Last year, more than 11,000 participants logged over 39,000 miles.
Dr. Christopher Russo, WellSpan’s medical director of pediatric services, emphasized the importance of keeping children mentally and physically active over the summer so they return to school ready to learn.
GO! is part of WellSpan’s broader Spotlight on Children’s Health initiative, which supports children’s well-being from birth to age six. The program is partially funded through WellSpan’s Community Partnership Grant Program.
Each county’s GO! schedule varies, with end dates ranging from Aug. 3 to Aug. 17. For more information and local resources, visit each county’s GO! website or go to WellSpan.org.
Source: wellspan.org