Are you setting a New Year’s resolution to explore Nature more? To discover new places, or get more exercise? Or maybe all three?
Here’s a program that’ll be perfect for you, now in its second year: the Geauga Gems Trekking Series!
Registration for the 2021 series is now open online and by phone for Geauga County residents and opens January 15, 2021, for out-of-county residents.
How to Get Started
Upon registration, you’ll receive a Geauga Gems Trekking Card to track your progress. Keep the card with you to mark your 27 self-guided hikes, and bring your card to your 3 required naturalist-led hikes to be marked. We encourage you to spread your hikes throughout the year to discover new trails and parks in different seasons! Those who complete these goals before the end of 2021 will receive a collapsible trekking pole (if they haven’t received one during a previous year of the series) and a 2021 Geauga Gems hiking medallion sticker in January 2022.
New in 2021, participants may choose instead to celebrate Geauga Park District’s 60th anniversary by hiking 60 miles in the parks — no naturalist-led hikes required!
More details can be found on your trekking card when you sign up, as well as the following documents:
2021 Series Introduction Presentation
2021 Series FAQ
Qualifying naturalist-led hikes are identifiable by the Geauga Gems logo in our quarterly Park Explorer Activity Guide, and on our website under Programs & Events by filtering program type Geauga Gems. If you have already completed your three naturalist-led hikes for this year, please consider allowing others to register for these small group hikes so that they may also complete their 2021 goal. Thank you!
We’ll see you out on the trails!