The scavenger hunts were the brainchild of GCP&T naturalist Mel Grosvenor.
“Which is kind of ironic because I can count on two fingers the number of times I’ve taken a selfie,” she said with a smile. “But you have to be creative and look at current trends when creating programs and I thought this would be a fun way for people to discover our parks.”
Selfies have become so prevalent that French psychoanalyst and author Elsa Godart writes in her book, “I Selfie There I Am,” that the average millennial is expected to take 25,700 selfies in his or her lifetime. And an estimated 1 million selfies are taken every day around the world.
Whether you are selfie-savvy or not, this scavenger hunt can provide an afternoon of free fun and fitness.
Locations are posted monthly on the Greene County Parks & Trails Facebook page and are also available by calling the park headquarters. Participants can visit the designated park any time during that month to take selfies at the various sites. Photos can be submitted via Facebook — don’t forget to tag Greene County Parks & Trails — or by email.
“We try to make it as easy as possible for people to participate,” Grosvenor said. “It can really be a fun family adventure.”
Karen Neff and her grandson Gavin can attest to that as they participated in the GCP&T Selfie Scavenger hunts last fall and are excited to get back at it.
“We really enjoyed it,” Neff, of Fairborn, said. “They were challenging, fun and a good workout. And it’s intergenerational, there were people with tiny little tots and I’m a grandma and we were all having a good time.”
Participants search out about a dozen sites at each park, some are more challenging to find than others. Sometimes there is even a bonus item like snapping a selfie with Baby Huey — a domesticated goose at one of the parks.
“I would describe it as a really special outdoor game,” Neff said. “You never know what you’re going to find, but you will definitely have a good time.”
Prizes are awarded monthly, but Grosvenor contends that all of the participants are winners.
“I’m all about getting people outdoors,” she said. “If they are outside and appreciating nature, that, to me, is the real prize.”
Greene County Parks & Trails Selfie Scavenger Hunts
What: Learn more about the 2,600 acres of Greene County parkland and have fun doing it with a selfie scavenger hunt.
Where: Sites vary by month. June-Karohl Park; July-Creekside Trail; August-Narrows Reserve.
How: Each month, a list of places and things located in a designated park will be posted on the GCP&T Facebook page and available by calling the park headquarters. Participants take a selfie at each location or with each item. Post the photos on your Facebook page and tag Greene County Parks & Trails to be entered to win prizes. Photos may also be sent to kperes@co.greene.oh.us. Prizes will be awarded monthly.
Cost: Free
Info: Visit www.gcparkstrails.com, email info@gcparkstrails.com or call 937-562-6440.
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