SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, Pa. — Pennsylvania is home to more than a hundred state parks and exploring them is now a little easier thanks to the Discovere Backpack Loaner Program.
The program is offered at most state parks, including Locust Lake State Park and Tuscarora State Park in Schuylkill County.
Environmental Education Specialist Robin Tracy says it is designed to give kids and adults new ideas and activities to enjoy.
"You don't have to be camping here or staying here. You can come in on a weekend and check out a backpack and there's a bunch of little things for kids." she said.
Each bag also includes binoculars, trail guides and a discover-e book of activities to choose from.
"And they can actually earn a badge and it's not just for one park. You can take your folder, and you can go from one park to another and got to somebody else's activities and get signed off with them too." she added.
To get a backpack for you or your family, Tracy says to stop by the contact station at Locust Lake State Park or the Visitors Center at Tuscarora State Park to fill out a loaner agreement paper.
"It's free they just have to check out and they have to fill out a form so that if anything comes back you know that's missing or broken or something we can follow up with it and get it fixed." she said.
Tracy hopes the program encourages people who want to explore nature but are not sure where to start.
"So, it's just one more way to get them out and get them interested in our parks." she said.
The Discover-e Loaner Backpacks Program documents are newly available in Spanish as well.
The backpacks are available until October 7th.