The Great Park Pursuit is a seven-week contest that will have you decoding clues, discovering parks and forests across the state and participating in fun activities and challenges — all for a chance to win cool prizes. Below you will find the information pertaining to the schedule and rules for the 2010 Great Park Pursuit.
Schedule
Kickoff
Guided vs. Self and Semi-Guided
Clues & Park Reveal
Proof of Visitation
Finale
Bonus Location
Official Rules
Schedule
Park #1: Saturday, May 8 – guided event
Park #2: Saturday, May 15 – guided event
Park #3: Saturday, May 22 – suggested self-guided visitation date
Park #4: Saturday, May 29 – suggested self-guided visitation date
Park #5: Saturday, June 5 or Sunday, June 6 – semi-guided event dates
Park #6: Saturday, June 12 – guided event
Park #7: Saturday, June 19 – guided event
Kickoff
The game kicks off on Saturday, May 8 at Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme.
The event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Teams can arrive at any point within this timeframe to enjoy the variety of activities planned for the day. Teams will receive a No Child Left Inside® bracelet, which must be worn to each Great Park Pursuit event to ensure free admission to the venue.
Guided vs. Self and Semi Guided
Four of the locations in the game require attendance on specific Saturdays. To receive points for these “guided” events, teams must have at least one team member over 18 and one team member under 18 check in anytime between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Two events in The Great Park Pursuit are “self-guided” events meaning families may complete the designated activities anytime before June 12th. Full details will be revealed in future clues and hints, and ultimately the locations will be disclosed on the preceding Friday. To earn points for “self-guided” parks, teams must complete the designated activity and present the required proof-of-visit by the second-to-last event (June 12).
One of the events is “semi-guided” - Families are required to participate on either Saturday, June 5 or Sunday, June 6. There will be various options for locations, times and skill levels. Full details will be revealed in future clues and hints, and ultimately the various location options will be disclosed on the preceding Friday. The proof of attendance for these “semi-guided” events will need to be turned in at the guided event on June 12.
Clues & Park Reveal
Each week during the course of The Great Park Pursuit, three clues to one of Connecticut’s parks or forests will be posted on the Clues page. Clues will be revealed at the following days and times:
- Saturdays – 5:00 p.m.
- Mondays – 5:00 p.m.
- Wednesdays – 5:00 p.m.
At 3:00 p.m. on the Friday before the scheduled event, the park will be revealed on the Clues page, along with locations and directions.
Proof of Visitation
For guided events your team’s attendance is your proof of visitation. Be sure to check in at the registration table as soon as you arrive!
For the two self-guided events you must complete a designated activity and submit that proof at the registration table at the June 12th guided event. For example: Two years ago for the self-guided event at Talcott Mountain, teams had to take a picture in front of the Heublein Tower and submit a copy of that picture as proof of visitation.
For the semi-guided event you will receive a card after completing the designated activity and you must submit this as proof at the registration table at the June 12th guided event, as well.
Finale
Participate in all seven events and your team will be deemed semi-finalists, eligible for a chance to win one of three grand prizes. Teams will be notified at the June 12 guided event whether or not they qualify to compete in the semi-finals on June 19. Semi-finalists will be required to take a challenge related to what they have learned throughout the game, and top scorers will be required to complete a final activity to determine prize winners.
Bonus Location
There will be one bonus visitation spot: Your local town library. Teams are encouraged to visit their local town library and read between the lines. Getting lost in a book could find you in a better spot in the semi-final competition (wink, wink!). The bonus location can be visited anytime between Saturday, May 8th and Friday, June 11th. Please check in with the children’s librarian at your town library to receive a special 5th Anniversary Great Park Pursuit bookmark.