Cold weather didn't deter hundreds of people from joining the Forest Preserve District's inaugural Be a Trailblazer experience.

Around 900 participants completed 14,000 nature-themed missions throughout Will County as part of the first of four seasonal Be a Trailblazer challenges in 2025. Trailblazers not only reaped the benefits of being outside, but they also qualified to win dozens of randomly awarded prizes. 

The challenge features more than $10,000 in prizes funded by The Nature Foundation of Will County and donations from local businesses and organizations. Prizes funded by the Foundation throughout the year include kayaks, sleds, Fitbits, a Yeti cooler, a tent and four sleeping bags, fishing equipment, hiking poles, picnic packs and more.

Restaurants and shops have donated gift cards, Wild Birds Unlimited Joliet donated gift baskets and Ken Woody Sports donated quarter-zip pullovers embroidered with the Be a Trailblazer logo. Forest Preserve prizes include half-day boat rentals and family packs at Monee Reservoir.

All prizes are being awarded randomly to participants; in some cases, certain missions had to be completed to eligible for a prize. More than $2,800 worth of prizes were awarded in winter.

Sharing the excitement

Ellen Green and Cathy Gorski, owners of Wild Birds Unlimited Joliet, said they are proud to have donated prizes for the challenge and are honored to play a small part in the initiative.

“Every day in our store, we see the joy that birdwatching brings, and we love sharing that excitement with others,” Green said. “It only makes sense for us to support a community challenge that encourages people to step outside, explore and experience the beauty of nature firsthand.” 

The challenge is a wonderful way to connect people with the outdoors, Green added. 

"We love hearing the stories of participants – how much fun they have, the new birds they spot, and the memories they create along the way. Seeing their joy brings us joy, too," she said. "By donating prizes, we hope to add an extra layer of excitement to the challenge while inspiring more people to appreciate and protect the natural world around them. Whether it's through the preserves, their own backyards, or a simple walk on a trail, every moment spent in nature has the power to uplift, educate and inspire."

Extra push

Winter session participants said winning prizes adds to the fun of the challenge experience.

“My daughter Zoey was very excited to win one of the sleds during the winter challenge,” said participant Amy Bartling of Monee. “… The new sled is sturdy, perfect for a group of tweens and teens. We’re still holding out hope for a good snow this year to try it out, but if not, they’ll make good use of it next winter.”

Lori Heitman of Shorewood said she was thrilled to win one of the bird feeders from Wild Birds Unlimited.

“We love birds and enjoy feeding them daily,” she said. “Our grandchildren like to watch the birds on our feeders when they visit.”

Heitman said she signed up for the winter challenge to motivate herself to get outside during the cold and snow. 

“It gave me the extra push I needed to get moving,” she added. “I particularly enjoyed the peacefulness of the preserves in the winter. The new Be a Trailblazer format was challenging and fun. I like the fact that we can do missions at our own pace. This has been great for my physical and mental health.”

Bill Cranley of Plainfield said the binoculars were the perfect prize for him and his 18-month-old twins, who accompany him on his outdoor excursions. 

"My brother Matt actually told me about the Be a Trailblazer experience so I checked it out and me and the twins ran with it," he said. "It was actually a lot of fun because instead of just walking the trails, we took in all of the nature around us by looking around for animals, wildlife, etc., so that was exciting. And I found there were so many more fun forest preserves around me than I thought."

The binoculars were a perfect prize because Cranley said he was borrowing his brother's all the time during the challenge. 

"So I wanted to get my own set for me and the kids so we’d be able to track all the different types of birds around us, especially now that we’ll be going to more preserves/rookeries," he said. "(I'm) excited for the new missions to come up for spring and summer. And now that the twins can walk, I know they’ll be excited too."

Three more seasonal sessions

If you haven’t joined the Be a Trailblazer experience yet, don’t worry. There are plenty of chances to explore nature and win prizes throughout the rest of the year. Here are the next session dates:

• Spring: Thursday, April 10, to Saturday, May 24 
• Summer: Thursday, June 5, to Saturday, Aug. 9
• Fall: Thursday, Sept. 25, to Saturday, Nov. 8

To become a Trailblazer, download the free Goosechase app to your smartphone. To find the experience, search for Be a Trailblazer on the app or enter the code PQNL75. Please be sure to read the rules, which are posted online. Missions won't populate and go live until 9 a.m. on the start date of each seasonal session.

If you own a business and would like to support the Be a Trailblazer challenge by sponsoring prizes, please contact us at 815-722-1244.

The following local businesses have provided prize packs or gift cards are:

Arrowhead Ales(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window), New Lenox; Aurelio's Pizza(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window), Joliet; Big Apple Café(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window), Joliet; Channahon Lanes(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window), Channahon; Country Charm(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window), New Lenox; Craft’d,(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window) Plainfield; Delta Sonic Car Wash; Hamburgerseria(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window), Joliet; Heroes West Sports Grill(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window), Joliet/Lemont; Home Cut Donuts(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window), Joliet; Jack’s Car Wash(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window), Joliet; Joliet Area Historical Museum(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window), Joliet; KidsWork Children’s Museum(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window), New Lenox; and Ken Woody Sports & More(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window), Joliet.

Also, Labas, Latte & Vino(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window), Monee; Mr. Submarine(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window), Joliet; Old Fashioned Pancake House(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window), Joliet; Pet Supplies Plus(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window),  Plainfield; Possibility Place Nursery(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window), Monee; Prairie Bluff Golf Club,(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window) Crest Hill; Ruby’s Burritos(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window), Romeoville; Gina's Teardrop Café(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window), New Lenox; The Forge: Lemont Quarries(Opens in a new windo(Opens in a new window), Lemont; Town and Country Lanes(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window),(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window) Joliet; Waffles Kafé(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window), New Lenox; and Wild Birds Unlimited Joliet.(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window) 

Please support these businesses for their generosity.