Park Quest: Patapsco State Park

Maryland has this amazing program in the summer called Park Quest, an initiative to encourage families to visit and explore state parks together.  After signing up online, each family receives a "passport" which allows them free entrance into the park when they visit to complete their "quest."  Each park has created a quest specific to their park.  The quest involves hiking, looking for landmarks, and sometimes certain activities like learning how to read a compass, or canoeing, or frisbee golf.

We completed our first Park Quest today with our friends the Blairs and had a blast!

Here are the kids ready to begin!

First we stopped at the Park Headquarters to sign in, and pick up our backpack, which contained a tarp, ropes, sunscreen, compasses, a field guide, instructions, and even a camera! We visited a pond, took pictures of wildlife and plants, learned about fire towers, and attempted to tie knots and build an emergency shelter!

Taking a little snack break (we took a LOT of breaks!!).

Jonas' turn to hold the compass!

Best buds

Sweet little guy!

Our emergency shelter

The kids did such a great job - they all hiked 1.7 miles with very little complaining!  And we have another thing to cross off our summer fun list!!  :)