Enjoying the outdoors with your kids
A blog by Emily Pierce, PLS, CFedS
It’s National Parks & Recreation Month and it’s a great time to get outdoors and enjoy fresh air.
When I was surveying, the most enjoyable projects I worked on were for the Parks and Forestry Departments at both the county and state levels. Even though the work was demanding, it was also refreshing just to be out in the woods – the smell of the forest, seeing the birds, deer, fox and the wildflowers – it’s a wonderful experience. Making nature accessible to others is incredibly satisfying.
Today, the ability to enjoy nature is more important than ever – going for walk in the park instantly eases the stress of being cooped up. Our parks are a treasure that can still be enjoyed – keeping six feet between people is not an issue in most places.
Trail Challenge Plaque at Custer State Park
Custer State Park Trail Challenge Pin
Did you know Berntsen has been making trail markers for nearly 50 years? We’re always amazed at the creative ways our markers are used.
At the Custer State Park in South Dakota, kids can take the “Trail Challenge” that rewards them for hiking eight of the many trails in the park over the course of the summer. To prove they’ve walked the trail, they take a rubbing of the unique Berntsen medallion placed along the each trail. Once they have all eight rubbings, the kids turn them in and receive a Custer State Park Trail Challenge Pin. This is a significant achievement, because the eight trails include some rugged terrain.
Berntsen’s Claudia Fuller has been working with the folks at Custer State Park for years, and enjoys helping make their designs a reality.
Claudia said, “It’s always to fun to see how creative our customers can be! The ideas for these markers are endless . . . and Custer State Park has proven that for sure. It nice to see a park working so hard to encourage our young people and families to come and have fun in the parks and our great outdoors.”
The most recent batch of medallions feature a black footed ferret and an elk. Other medallions also include location coordinates, to make the challenge fun for surveyors, too.
The trail challenge is one of the park’s most popular activities, according to Lydia Austin, Interpretive Programs Manager.
“2020 is one of our busiest years yet. Since May we have handed out over 1,500 forms and we still have two months to go. It’s a great way to get kids and their parents to enjoy the 71,000 acre park in the Black Hills. The park is home to abundant wildlife and adventure; visitors camp, hike, bike, swim, fish or just relax In the great outdoors - there’s something here for everyone. Families from the Black Hills and across the country enjoy this program. Since the park changes the trails each year, there is always a new Trail Challenge.
A Berntsen Trail Challenge Medallion
“This summer, plan a visit to the Black Hills in Custer State Park – and don’t miss the Berntsen trail markers and medallions guiding you along the way.”
This summer, plan a visit to the Black Hills in Custer State Park – and don’t miss the Berntsen trail markers and medallions guiding you along the way.”
If you want to join the Custer State Park Challenge, learn about it here – you have to pick up the form in person!
I look forward to the opportunity to take my family to Custer State Park soon and take the Trail Challenge, too.. I can’t wait to see Berntsen markers in the wild!
If you’re interested in starting a trail challenge in your park, Berntsen is here to help. Just give us a call at (800) 518-0934. We also provide trail markers, campsite markers, marking stakes and much more.
