Forest Preserve’s 2024 Take It Outside Challenge Debuts Jan. 21 with a Twist

If you loved the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Take It Outside Challenge in 2023 or wish you had joined, a new version of the popular program will launch on Sunday, Jan. 21.

The 2023 yearlong challenge drew more than 1,200 participants who completed around 115,000 nature-themed missions ranging from GPS check-ins at various locations, photos of nature scenes and wildlife, selfies and trivia questions. This year’s challenge comes with a twist. Instead of a yearlong competition, the 2024 program will be divided into seasonal challenges with breaks between each one.

The nine-week Take It Outside seasonal challenges are: 

·        Winter Workout: Sunday, Jan. 21, through Saturday, March 30 (join code 6X9K34)

·        Spring Fling: Sunday, April 14, through Saturday, June 15 (join code V813P4)

·        Summer Soiree: Sunday, June 30, through Saturday, Sept. 21 (join code BD13J5)

·        Fall Frolic: Sunday, Oct. 6, through Saturday, 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 using the free Goosechase smartphone app. Seasonal challenge winners will receive $500, $250 and $150 Mastercard gift cards for first, second and third places, respectively.

In 2023, stories poured in all year from participants about how the missions were getting people to walk more than they had in years, lose weight, discover Will County’s preserves, feel better mentally and physically and make new friends. The new seasonal format should allow more people to participate in 2024, said Chad Merda, the Forest Preserve’s digital communications manager.

For more information, visit the Forest Preserve District’s website, ReconnectWithNature.org.