Starting this year, Union County will be participating in Get Outdoors (GO) Union!, an exciting program of activities that encourages Union County children and families to get outdoors and get moving this summer. You’ll search for nine “markers” — wooden posts, each with an etching plate — that are hidden in local and state parks around Union County. This year, you can GO and Color Our World! as you follow clues to find markers featuring different colors, places to see color, and things that use color! See below to find out how to get started on your journey!
In addition to finding markers outdoors this summer, you’ll discover many other ways you can Color Our World! Visit any Union County Library to check out and read books about any of the markers. You’ll improve your reading and learning skills, and you can earn rewards from the library for recording your reading minutes in the Beanstack app! GO Union! and Union County Libraries events count as 20 minutes each, so be sure to log them to earn amazing prizes. Learn more about the many free library programs planned just for you at https://unioncountylibraries.org/summerquest/.
Most of all, we want you to Get Outdoors, have fun, and Color Our World!
How to Get Started
1. Choose Your Marker!
Look through the Sketchbook (program guide) or the Markers/Thumbnails page and choose one of the markers you want to find. All the information you need to know about each marker hike can be found on the outside column of each page or on the individual marker web pages.
2. Find Your Route!
Find the park location for your marker hike (page 12 in the Sketchbook or on the Directions to Parks web page). The driving directions will take you right to the parking area for your hike. (Please note: not all parks have a specific street address to enter into a map or GPS app, so it is important to follow the directions carefully.)
3. Ready, Set, Hike!
The “Thumbnails" (to show you the way) will tell you where to start the hike and give you step-by-step directions to find the hidden marker. Take the Sketchbook and rubbing sheet with you on your hike.
4. Know the Code!
If you want to use your rubbing sheet to capture the image on the marker (post), place it on top of the embossed plate and rub over it with a colored pencil or crayon to make the image appear. If the 4-digit code isn’t clear on your rubbing, make sure to write it down — you’ll need it later.
5. Calling All Cars!
Each hike includes directions to return to your vehicle to complete the hike. Before you leave the area of your hike, make sure to take any trash along with you to keep things neat and tidy. There might be a playground or other fun places nearby, too!
6. Go Online!
Since the program is digital, you can use a computer (or a phone) to access the Beanstack app (see page 13) and follow the directions to enter the 4-digit codes from your marker hikes. Don’t forget to log your reading minutes there as well.
7. Repeat as Needed!
Keep finding those markers and their codes to enter into Beanstack. You’ll be registered for participation prizes and receive entries into the drawing for one of five prizes. See how many hikes you can complete before the program ends on August 9. Have fun on your hikes!
Proudly sponsored by:
WellSpan Health and The Union County Library System would like to thank the following municipalities, organizations, and park systems for allowing GO and Color Our World! marker posts to be located at their respective sites:
Buffalo Township
East Buffalo Township
Hartley Township
Lewis Township
Lewisburg Borough
Merrill W. Linn Land & Waterways Conservancy
Mifflinburg Borough
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation
& Natural Resources (DCNR)
Union County Trail Authority
Union Township
Lastly, thanks for joining us for our first summer of exploring parks and trails throughout Union County. We hope that you and your family found new locations to visit throughout the year as you learned about the different markers. There is a lot to do outdoors, so we encourage you to Get Outdoors (GO) and Color Our World!