Lincoln Safari

What is Lincoln Safari?

Our response to a dramatic increase in obesity and unstructured play was to get people of all ages to “unplug” from technology and reconnect with their natural surroundings. The Zoo, in conjunction with other local nature organizations, developed an outdoor program, titled Lincoln Safari, which has received national recognition. The project is a giant treasure hunt that directs people to unknown natural spaces around their community and encourages them to explore.

During the two years the program has been in existance, over 9,800 groups have registered, meaning nearly 36,100 individuals have participated. Our success has brought inquires from across the country including San Francisco, Philadelphia, Orange County, Omaha and Ontario regarding how they can implement a similar program.

Our new project is to create a online curriculum with materials and templates so that other communities can easily implement a similar program. Please vote everyday in February to show your support for a $50,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant.

How Does Lincoln Safari Work?

Participants receive a city map identifying 35 different unknown natural spaces and a guide booklet listing clues to follow once they arrive at the identified locations. At each location, participants are asked to search for a three foot high post that features a unique ceramic rubbing. Groups rub the impression in their booklet to prove they have visited the location. In addition, groups are given other activities they can do at the location such as watch a sunset, roll down a hill, and look for animal tracks in the area.

Who Benefits from Lincoln Safari?

Who doesn't benefit? Children benefit because they learn how to play outside and spend valuable quality time with an adult figure. Adults benefit because they have an activity to do with their children that will strengthen their bond and enhance their communication skills. Businesses will benefit because they have more productive employees whose home lives are less stressful.

This project will benefit the Lincoln community and other communities around the world. “Go outside and play” was a common phrase people used to hear throughout their childhood. Today, however, research shows that children are spending 50 percent less time outside than they did just 20 years ago–and even less time in unstructured play. Over scheduling with team sports, clubs and other activities, along with parent’s fear of strangers compound the issue. However, the biggest factor is the lure of electronics. Children between the ages of six months and six years spend an average of 1.5 hours a day focused on electronic media. Youth between the ages of 8 and 18 spend an average of 6.5 hours a day with electronic media—that’s more than 45 hours a week.

The loss of children's contact with the natural world has resulted in a dramatic increase in attention disorders, obesity, and childhood depression–physical and social development issues that can take a child years to overcome. A lack of unstructured outdoor play also has consequences for the environment. Numerous researchers have determined that an affinity for, and love of nature, along with a positive environmental ethic, grow out of children's regular contact with and play in the natural world.

How Will the Pepsi Grant Support the Program?

Our grant request is to fund the creation of an online curriculum so that other communities can be encouraged to model this program and get people outside! We will create a website featuring downloadable materials, templates, PSAs, FAQs, and suggested partners so others can quickly and easily implement the program.

Supporting this project means your care about connecting nature to people across the country.

Vote for this project by visiting RefreshEverything.com/gooutdoors.