THE GREAT PARK PURSUIT 2008

Another game has come to a close but the memories will last a lifetime. In the end all teams that participated in The Great Park Pursuit 2008 went home winners because they spent time together as a family, traveled to some new and exciting places within their home state, and enjoyed the great outdoors and all it has to offer.

Teams that visited all seven parks on the game schedule and turned in proof of self- and semi-guided event attendance were eligible for the semifinalist challenge at the finale event at Peoples State Forest in Barkhamsted, testing them on what they had learned throughout the game. Fifteen different stations focusing on everything from fun and games (lawn bowling from the Harkness event) to trivia (recollection of the man who announced his run for presidency at Talcott Mountain) to logic (applying Wetlands Metaphors from the Sherwood Island event) to retained knowledge (assembling the AQI color caterpillar from the Hammonasset event) greeted more than 170 contestants, who raced from station to station to complete the challenge as the clock ticked. The 29 teams that finished with the most correct answers in the least amount of time were deemed finalists.

These finalists then had to complete yet another challenge in order to determine the grand prize winners. Each team received half of a buoy and a kit of supplies including sticks, tissue paper and string, and were asked to construct a boat that would race down the Farmington River. Teams created everything from classic sailboats to objects that looked like they were dropped from the Mother Ship. The vessels were then assembled behind a boom in the River that once raised, sent the boats on a nearly 60-foot journey. In the end, three boats emerged from the pack to cross the finish line ahead of the others.

However, the first place boat belonged to the Young Family of Monroe, a selfless team that ended up voluntarily forfeiting their winnings. The Young's had received last year's third place bicycle package and wanted to let another family experience the joy of receiving a Great Park Pursuit grand prize. "The Donner Party" team of East Haddam was awarded the third place prize as a result of the Young's forfeit.

The second place boat belonged to team "Daddys Girls" of Higganum and they took home the first place prize. Crossing next was team "SageGavin" of Andover who received the second place prize. All 29 teams competing in the finalist challenge received backpacks from North Cove Outfitters filled with terrific gear including a water bottle, medical kit, compass and mess kit.

All semifinalist teams received Great Park Pursuit certificates, which were awarded by the DEP with the help of WFSB meteorologist and Great Park Pursuit spokesman Scot Haney. Having a weatherman involved with the game must have been good luck as the weather at the finale event – and all throughout the game – was terrific!

After all the excitement of the day, teams did not have to go far to rest – overnight camping was offered at the park for interested families. Activities continued into the night, with campfire songs, star gazing and of course, s'mores treats!

While The Great Park Pursuit 2008 has now ended, the Connecticut DEP hopes that families will continue to enjoy the great outdoors for the rest of the year and for many years to come! We encourage you to continue checking the No Child Left Inside^SM website for suggested events, activities and parks to enjoy. See you in the parks!

The Great Park Pursuit 2008 Grand Prize Winners

FIRST PLACE – Water Excursion Package from North Cove Outfitters
Includes choice of two tandem kayaks or custom canoe as well as paddles, life jackets, car top roof rack and more
"Daddy's Girls" of Higganum
John, Yvette, Amanda and Brianna

SECOND PLACE – Camping Package from L.L.Bean
Includes tent, sleeping bags, table and chairs, stove, cooking utensils, bags, lanterns, medical kit and more
"SageGavin" of Andover
Michael, Julie, Sage and Gavin

THIRD PLACE – Bicycle Package from L.L.Bean
Includes four bicycles, helmets and accessory packs
"The Donner Party" of East Haddam
Don, Sarah, Austin and Nate

* All teams attending the finale received Wind-N-Go Flashlights from L.L.Bean as well as $10 certificates from Dick's Sporting Goods.