A new program launching Friday at Guajome Regional Park in Oceanside will try to tap into kids' addiction to technology to lure them into the great outdoors.
The TRACK Trails program, run through the kidsinparks.com website, sets up scavenger hunts at seven parks across San Diego County. When children finish the scavenger hunt, they can log in to an app or through the website and get prizes.
"It's bridging the gap between technology and nature," says Ranger Adam Goller, who works at Guajome. "This is the perfect vessel to get them out onto the trails. The playgrounds are nice, but the trails are nature."
Prizes range from badges on the app, to backpacks and bandanas, depending on how many parks and trails the kids complete.
In addition to Guajome Regional Park, the program is at Lindo Lake County Park, San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, Louis A. Stelzer County Park, Felicita County Park, San Dieguito County Park and Lake Morena County Park.
Friday, as part of the ribbon cutting at Guajome, a group of kids will take the Junior Ranger Pledge and then walk along the 0.9 mile trail.
"We have a saying out here," Ranger Goller told 10News. "There's no wifi, but you'll definitely make a connection with nature."
