Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space has a new challenge for kids who love exploring parks and nature preserves. The Junior Park Explorers program, which launched June 1, challenges kids ages 4-15 to visit each park and nature preserve in the Wake County system and participate in a specific activity over the course of one year.

At most parks  – American Tobacco Trail, Blue Jay Point County Park, Crowder County Park, Harris Lake County Park, Historic Oak View County Park, Historic Yates Mill County Park and Lake Crabtree County Park – that means taking part in a staff-led program. At the nature preserves and unstaffed parks – Green Hills County Park, Robertson Millpond Preserve, Sandy Pines Preserve, Turnipseed Nature Preserve – it involves taking a selfie with a manmade or natural feature specific to that location.“This is a new, fun way for kids to explore our parks and learn more about their natural surroundings,” said Sig Hutchinson, chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners. “We look forward to seeing kids experience different aspects of the parks and preserves that we’re so lucky to have here in Wake County.”

After completing each park or preserve’s challenge, participants will receive a collectible park pin. When their scorecard is complete, they’ll receive a Wake County Parks daypack on which to display their pins.

It’s easy to get started! Pick up a Junior Park Explorers scorecard at any Wake County park, or email jrparkexplorers@wake.gov to register by mail. A list of participating parks, upcoming programs and additional rules are available at wakegov.com/jrparkexplorers.