After a successful winter session, the Forest Preserve District is inviting people to hit the trails again for the spring edition of Be a Trailblazer. 

The challenge returns with new missions, fresh prizes and even more opportunities to connect with nature.

“We had a really good response in winter and saw a lot of new faces out on the trail,” said Chad Merda, head of digital marketing strategy/engagement for the District. “With better weather on the horizon and people usually excited to get outside once temperatures rise, we’re hoping even more people hop on board and decide to Be a Trailblazer.”

The spring sessions runs from Thursday, April 10, to Saturday, May 24. To get started, 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. The new batch of missions won't populate and go live until noon on the start date. Please read the rules before you head out the door. 

Prize pool

Weekly giveaways and random prize drawings will continue in the spring session.

Nearly $4,000 in prizes will be randomly awarded throughout the season, including two kayaks, a Yeti cooler, a picnic starter pack, a Fitbit Charge 6, fishing starter kits, a mini-Solo stove and a high-end pair of binoculars. The larger prizes have been provided through generous funding from The Nature Foundation of Will County.

Also, more than 30 local businesses and organizations have donated items for the challenge. Restaurants and shops are donating gift cards and Wild Birds Unlimited is donating gift baskets. New this session are explorer passes to The Forge: Lemont Quarries and Joliet prison tours from the Joliet Area Historical Museum. 

Ten points will be awarded for each completed mission, and there will be a leaderboard for those whose competitive juices run strong. But no one will win a prize based on points. Prizes will instead be awarded randomly and tied to specific missions, but not every mission will have a prize. And participants can win multiple prizes. 

Also, every mission a participant completes each week during the seasonal experiences will count as an entry in weekly giveaways for a Be a Trailblazer T-shirt.

“If getting a T-shirt, a gift card to a local business, or one of our larger prizes gives people a little motivation to get outside more often and create some healthy habits, that’s exciting for us,” Merda said. "We want to provide you with some items that hopefully will enhance your experiences outdoors long after the Trailblazer experience ends."
 

Spring twist

Spring challenge participants can expect a variety of challenges – from super simple to more difficult – and even a mid-season drop of missions to keep things interesting. 

“It won’t be a ton of missions, but we guarantee it’ll put a fun twist on things and likely expose people to something they haven’t done before,” Merda said. “Our mascot, Willy Woodchuck, also will be making an appearance this time around.”

The challenge format encourages people to slow down and really take in the preserves, especially as spring wildlife and wildflowers emerge. 

“Be a Trailblazer forces people to be more observant in order to complete missions,” Merda explained. “There’s a pretty good chance that by trying to complete missions, people will see and hear things they haven’t before.”

Two more seasonal Be A Trailblazer sessions will be held in 2025. The summer challenge is scheduled for Thursday, June 5, to Saturday, Aug. 9, and the fall session will be from Thursday, Sept. 25, to Saturday, Nov. 8.