Mission Possible - Nature Challenge

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is joining with other parks and nature centers in North Central Texas to present a "Nature Challenge". We are challenging families to visit the participating centers and complete as many missions as possible within the 11 week time span. Each site will offer unique outdoor activities designed for family fun and nature exploration. Families will view native wildlife, do scavenger hunts and fossil digs, search for geocache treasures, dip their feet in creeks and rivers, and so much more while learning about nature and science in their own Texas neighborhoods! The families who visit the most sites and complete the missions will win great prizes and have a fabulous family fun-filled summer. Several participating organizations will be donating prizes. Fossil Rim is donating an overnight stay for 2 at Foothills Safari Camp with breakfast (valued over $200), a hardbound boxed book on African Animals, and some "light-up boot-shaped" mugs. For those wanting to participate in this challenge you must first register at Texas Nature Challenge. Mission Possible - You have now been challenged! See you soon.

Fossil Rim's Missions: (Families can complete 1, 2 or all 3 missions but a visit to Fossil Rim only counts as 1 point in the competition regardless of the number of missions completed) Even though only one of these missions requires a reservation through Fossil Rim, all missions require participants to be pre-registered with the Nature Challenge Program.

Mission 1: Geocache Scavenger Challenge
There is no charge for this mission. Participants use a GPS unit to locate given coordinates in succession to find hidden "treasure". This mission is available 7 days a week from 9:00am - 4:00pm. The first stop for families on this mission will be The Somervell County Museum located on the historic town square. The GPS coordinates are: N 32°14.041' W 097°45.409'. Once participants find this coordinate, it will provide the coordinates for the next location at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. The second location will then provide the coordinates to a hidden container, and so on. The final container is a hidden treasure chest that is accessible by the general public visiting Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. No reservations are required to participate in this mission.

Mission 2: Fossil Dig and Children's Animal Center Scavenger Hunt
This mission costs $8 per participant and children under age 5 get in free. This mission is available on June 12, June 26th, July 10th, and July 24th only. Reservations are required at least 3 days in advance. Guests arrive at The Overlook, and meet at the EcoCenter on or before the scheduled start time at 10am. This mission takes guests on a 1/2 mile hike to a fossil excavation site to search for fossils, then treks back up to the Children's Animal Center for a scavenger hunt while mingling with a few of our docile animal friends. (If the Children's Animal Center is under renovation, an alternate activity will be substituted.)

Mission 3: Fossil Rim's Wildlife Scavenger Hunt
This mission requires each participant to pay regular admission price to enter the Scenic Wildlife Drive. Participants arrive at the Admissions Office during hours of operation and request a drive through scavenger hunt form. This mission involves participants engaging in observation activities from inside their own vehicles along our 9.5 mile scenic tour route. The form may be validated upon completion at the admissions office when exiting the park. Admission price varies with the age of the guest, season, and the day of the week. No reservations are required to participate in this mission.