Fun and adventure is as close to you as your nearest park or trail with the 2010 Keystone Active Zone Passport program (KAZ).  The passport is a free guide that anyone, of any age or ability, can use to get outside and active at close-to-home parks, trails or free events throughout the spring and summer.  This year’s passport boasts more than 30 places around the county to have outdoor fun; most are within an hour’s drive from most Luzerne County residents.   The program officially launches on Saturday, April 17th at the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day events in Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre and after-work hikes on Move It Outside Day, April 21st at Nescopeck, Frances Slocum and RIckett’s Glen State parks. 

To participate, register at the official website: www.KAZpassport.org.  Once registered, download the 3 page passport and the Personal Passport Log.  Visit as many stops as desired.  Each stop has a scavenger hunt question that is either printed on the passport or will be provided at events.  Solve the question then revisit the KAZ website to log the answers.  For every stop successfully logged, participants are automatically entered to earn awards and win prizes.  Participants earn awards for every five stops they visit and log and the first 50 people to visit and log their five stops will receive a free pass to use the new Ice Rink at Coal Street Park donated by the WB Scranton Penguins.  The more stops visited, the greater the chances of winning prizes such as a free stay at Split Rock Resort and Indoor Waterpark; kayak tours on the Susquehanna; a Whitewater Rafting get-away; an ActiPed Wireless Monitor with subscription; a family weekend at YMCA Camp Kresge, a family membership to the Hazleton YMCA; Dance, Dance Revolution games, bicycle gift certificates, and more.

In addition, each stop has a special “stamp” or symbol that can be downloaded and affixed to the Personal Passport Log to keep track of adventures.  If one does have internet access, the local library can assist with setting up an email account or call the Wilkes-Barre YMCA: 823-2191 X 140 and leave a message.  

New stops on this year’s passport include the Susquehanna River Water Trail’s North Branch Section, part of a spectacular 353 mile river trail from Sayre to Sunbury; the Penobscot Ridge Hike and Bike trail managed by the Earth Conservancy; Shickshinny’s Warrior Path, a native American trail on a property North Branch Land Trust conservation property,  the Luzerne County Historical Society’s Walking Tour of historical Wilkes-Barre, and the Black Diamond Trail,  a 165 mile pathway that wends its way from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol allows exploration of eastern Pennsylvania’s scenic beauty and cultural heritage by car, boat, bike or on foot. 

New events this year include Y Walk Wednesdays; a series of guided walks starting from the Wilkes-Barre YMCA lobby at 6:00 pm on most Wednesday evenings starting in June.  Walkers will be treated to tours of the new River Common, Nesbitt and Kirby parks, the Courthouse as well as downtown’s mansions, churches and architecture old and new.  There are also several Family Paddling and Fishing Days scheduled at different sites on different days, opportunity to attend the Luzerne County Library’s kick-off to their Summer Reading program, and Riverfests in Wilkes-Barre and Pittston.   The passport provides the contact information for each stop so participants can research the stops in advance for specific information and directions.        

 In addition to the promise of free fun and great prizes there are lots of reasons to get out and get moving with the KAZ Passport program.  The program’s three coordinating organizations: the Wyoming Valley Wellness Trails Partnership, the Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails and Live Well Luzerne County and a coalition of more than 70 partners including the City of Wilkes-Barre,  organizations, parks, TV and radio stations, and businesses want everyone, young and old, to get moving and active for their health, now and in the future.  According to the PA Department of Health, more than 28% of Luzerne County residents report no regular participation in physical activity and it is estimated that 63% of adults are overweight.  Overweight in children is on the rise too; more than 36% of the county’s elementary students are overweight or obese representing an entire generation that will be saddled with weight-related health problems as it ages. 

Regular outdoor recreation can help increase physical activity; recommended to help manage weight, improve overall physical and mental health, combat heart disease, dementia, diabetes, and certain types of cancer; and helps seniors remain independent longer. 

Outdoor recreation is a free, fun and close to home and work.  Spending time in the outdoors is a great way to spend good, quality time with family or friends.  It is much healthier than time spent in front of the television or computer screen.  In addition, this program gives young people opportunities to discover and connect with their natural world, an activity that will help them learn to value, preserve and protect the environment. 

The KAZ passport is a great program to use to use to celebrate Earth Day (www.earthday.net.) on  April 22, or Turn Off TV Week (www.screentime.org) from April 19 to 25 when families are encouraged to find alternatives to watching TV for one week.   April has been designated as Children In Nature Awareness Month by the Children and Nature Network (www.childrenandnature.org) an organization working to reconnect children with nature. Employers can incorporate the passport program into their workplace wellness efforts and promote it to their employees.   

The KAZ passport program is funded in part by a grant from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund under the Pocono Forest and Waters Conservation Landscape thru the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, the Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA, Wilkes-Barre City and the Luzerne County Convention and Visitors Bureau.  

To register to participate and for more information about how schools, employers, faith communities or organizations can incorporate the program into their wellness efforts visit the program’s website: www.KAZpassport.org.  

KAZ Passport Poster