Preserve's Take It Outside Challenge Begins

WILL COUNTY, IL — A new version of the Forest Preserve District of Will County's Take It Outside challenge will launch on Sunday, according to a release from the preserve.

Last year's challenge included more than 1,200 participants who completed about 115,000 nature-themed missions like GPS check-ins, photos of nature, selfies and trivia questions.

However, this year, the 2024 program will be divided into seasonal challenges instead of a yearlong competition.

The preserve said nine-week Take It Outside seasonal challenges are:

• Winter Workout: Jan. 21, through March 30 (join code 6X9K34)
• Spring Fling: April 14 through June 15 (join code V813P4)
• Summer Soiree: June 30 through Sept. 21 (join code BD13J5)
• Fall Frolic: Oct. 6 through Dec. 14 (join code ED7MGP)

Each Sunday during the challenges, 10 missions will be released and participants will complete challenges to earn points and prizes, the preserve said. To participate, download the free Goosechase smartphone app.

The new seasonal format should allow more people to participate in 2024, said Chad Merda, the Forest Preserve's digital communications manager.

"Even if people only do one seasonal challenge, we're hoping that’s the start of a renewed love for nature and a new routine of using the forest preserves with more regularity," he said in a release.

The Forest Preserve also will be offering Take It Outside Challenge hikes at different locations. Each hike will include missions that can be accomplished as a group, but missions also can be completed later by those who don’t attend the hikes. Registration will open two months before each hike on the online Event Calendar. Space is limited.

Seasonal challenge winners will receive $500, $250 and $150 Mastercard gift cards for first, second and third places, respectively, according to the preserve. You can only win a seasonal cash prize once. At the conclusion of the seasonal challenges, first, second and third-place finishers will be entered in a drawing for one of three $250 gift cards.

The 2024 Take It Outside Challenge is sponsored by the Nature Foundation of Will County.