Take a Child Outside Week

A Goosechase in the Gardens!

  • Monday, September 26, 2022 – 10:00 am–4:00 pm
  • Tuesday, September 27, 2022 – 10:00 am–4:00 pm

Take a Child Outside week runs annually from September 24 to September 30. The week is an initiative of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences with the goal of "helping children across the country develop a better understanding and appreciation of the environment in which they live."

Take a Child Outside logo

Each day will bring a new activity for all ages at the Arboretum. Come for one day or every day of the week!

Monday and Tuesday: Goosechase Scavenger Hunt

Bring your family and friends out to the gardens for a scavenger hunt that's gone digital! This year, we are using Goosechase to bring a fun competitive element to our fall scavenger hunt.

Here's how to participate in the scavenger hunt: First, gather your family and friends and plan a time during the scavenger hunt to visit the gardens. After you've got your plans, download the Goosechase app onto your smartphone or tablet (iOS or Android). The first time you open the app, you'll be asked if you want to continue as a guest, create an account or log in. It's your choice! You'll be able to join the hunt either logged in or as a guest.

Once you're at the Arboretum, find the welcome sign at the Visitor Center. It will have the code to join the scavenger hunt. Open the Goosechase app and enter the code for the hunt. Create a team by entering a fun team name and then start completing missions! Each mission awards points, so you'll see your team climbing the leaderboard as you complete the missions. Extra points can be awarded for creativity so have fun!

When you're finished with the scavenger hunt or need to leave the gardens, your submissions will remain in the app unless you delete them or leave the hunt in the app. To keep your submissions, just close the app and leave the gardens. Once the scavenger hunt is finished, the app will notify you that the hunt has ended. You can check the leaderboard to see how your team did!

We have created a list of fun missions that take you all over the gardens. Even though it's a competition, the reward is spending time outside laughing and exploring together. So, are you ready for a goosechase?

Age
All ages.
Cost
Free.
Registration
Advance registration is not available for this program.
Location
JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, 4115 Beryl Road, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Directions
Need directions? Click here.
Parking
Free parking is available at the JC Raulston Arboretum and along Beryl Road.
Questions
Please contact Elizabeth Overcash, children's program coordinator, at elizabeth_overcash@ncsu.edu or (919) 513-7011.