Date: May 19, 2014
Contact: Aimee Beal Church
The Quest is on! Friends of Acadia and Acadia National Park invite kids and their families to explore Acadia together than through the fun and varied challenges of the Acadia Quest: Uniquely Acadia Edition. In the 2014 version of the Quest, teams will "collect" experiences on Acadia's trails, carriage roads, water bodies, and unique destinations to complete the Quest. Some new surprises are in store for veteran Questers, and challenges for all ages and ability levels.
Acadia Quest is a series of youth- and family-oriented experiences in Acadia National Park that encourage youth and families to explore, learn, and protect national parks and other conserved lands. Families, friends, relatives, or mentors create a team, which must include at least one child under the age of 18 and one adult aged 18 years or older. Register online at www.friendsofacadia.org or by calling Friends of Acadia at 207-288-3340 to receive a park map and a Quest card, then start your Quest by selecting activities from the card such as "Hike a trail that goes by/under a carriage road bridge," "Visit a cobblestone beach and take a close-up photo of your favorite rock," or "list one plant in bloom while you're at the Wild Gardens of Acadia."
Teams will document each activity with a photo, sign rubbing, or other information as indicated on the Quest card. Teams that complete the Quest will receive a 2015 Acadia National Park Annual Entrance Pass, a Quest patch for each team member under the age of 18, and be entered in the grand prize drawing at Take Pride in Acadia Day, the first weekend in November.
This is the seventh season of the popular "experiential scavenger hunt," which in 2013 saw almost 200 teams from all over Maine and across the country participate. One Quest team, "The Daring D's," said of the 2013 Acadia Quest: "It was such a fantastic way for us to come and explore Acadia. We really appreciated the hiking guide and just had an amazing experience. Acadia's now one of our favorite places!"
Acadia National Park offers many destinations and activities well-suited to families. From the historic trail system and carriage roads, to the magnificent granite-topped mountains and salt- and fresh waters, to the museums and other historical sites, Acadia's unique treasures are accessible to visitors of all ages and abilities.
