Press release
From N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources
RALEIGH – The creators of the free mobile app designed for North Carolina’s state parks system have issued a geochallenge to visit as many of the state parks and state recreation areas as possible over the next year, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.
The online competition by ParksbyNature Network LLC is an alternative to geocaching and makes use of the mobile application’s enhanced GPS-enabled features. The geochallenge entices people to explore up to 40 state park units from the mountains to the coast with the opportunity to earn gift card and outdoor gear rewards.
Participants earn points by visiting state parks and recreation areas, with easy-to-reach parks yielding five points and more challenging, out-of-the-way locales returning 20 points. The first 10 visitors to visit 10 different parks will receive prizes. Along the way, visitors will find breathtaking mountains, dune-strewn beaches, interesting geological features, and more of North Carolina’s most unique destinations.
North Carolina’s Pocket Ranger mobile app, released in 2011 for iPhone and Android, was the first full-featured one of its type in the nation and a prototype for the one now favored by most state parks systems. The app offers all information from the state parks system’s website as well as campground maps, event schedules and GPS-based park maps that can be downloaded and carried into the field. An “alert” feature provides emergency notices, and visitor groups can share locations through the app while exploring state parks.
The free Pocket Ranger mobile app can be downloaded at www.pocketranger.com, a site that includes detailed information about the geochallenge.
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