Does the new Pokémon Go zombie-like cellphone craze have you scratching your head in disbelief? Well, you might say the Delaware Department of Natural Resources (DNREC) is using their head on this one, and perhaps just scratching the surface of the new technological game fad.
Riding the wave of the popularity of the summer’s hottest craze, DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation just launched “Poké Park Adventure,” a contest for kids of all ages, in Delaware State Parks.
The “Poké Park Adventure” uses the free smartphone game (or app), “Pokémon Go,” in which players try to capture different monsters from Pokémon, a Japanese cartoon, using a combination of GPS and other technologies built into smartphones, including location tracking and cameras, encouraging players to visit – in this case, Delaware State Parks, in order to nab virtual loot and collectible characters. The point of the game is to “catch ‘em all!”
“This new contest is a great way to get kids, families, and all adventure-seeking Delawareans outside and into nature – a major goal of our Children in Nature Initiative,” said Governor Jack Markell. “I want to thank Delaware State Parks for taking advantage of the extraordinary popularity of this new technology to help encourage physical activity and showcase our amazing State Parks.”
“We are so pleased to offer this new and fun way for kids and families to get out into nature in our state parks,” said Delaware State Parks Director Ray Bivens. “The contest is being run from today through the end of July to give people a chance to visit all of the parks if they can.”
To win the “Poké Park Adventure,” players must take a screenshot of a view of their avatar in a park, and then take screenshots of each Poké Stop they visit. The screenshot must show that the player is in range of a Poké Stop. Then, players tag that park on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, using the hashtag #pokeparkde.
Whoever visits the most Poké Stops within any state parks (and park attractions) will receive a “legendary” prize pack complete with Pokémon merchandise, a 2017 Annual Park Pass, a YETI rambler bottle and other prizes.
The contest is open through July 31 to give everyone a chance to travel across the land, searching far and wide. The winner will be announced Wednesday, August 3.
To learn more go to www.destateparks.com/pokepark.
