GET OUT AND EXPLORE
Backyard
Adventures
For families, friends, visitors and locals–have a unique experience in a place you love!
Designed with care by Molly Ames Baker, a professional outdoor educator with over 30 years experience. See homepage.
SELF-SCHEDULED • SELF-PACED • SELF-GUIDED
MICRO QUESTS
Every Day Can Be An Adventure!
MICRO QUESTS
Discover Harbor Springs in a whole new way!
We provide a foolproof format so you can make the fun.
Your Adventure Pack Makes It Easy as 1-2-3:
1. Go at your own pace–any time, any day.
2. Explore using your Quest Map and Field Guide.
3. Extend your adventure using the Discover More! prompts
Micro Quests take about 1.5-3 hours. You get to check out new spots, learn local lore, do an activity and try something fun.
COVID-Smart
Backyard Adventures are self-scheduled, self-paced, and self-guided excursions. Online registration is encouraged and in-person registration is at Basecamp.
When you pick up your Adventure Pack at Basecamp, COVID-Smart practices are used. See below for more details.
Why Are Backyard Adventures
Good For Everybody ?
Backyard Adventures is a structured, but unscripted, way for you to:
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Explore a place with new eyes and new perspectives
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Learn about the local history and lore of Harbor Springs
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Get outside and use your sense of wonder
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Get ideas for diving deeper into something that sparked your interest
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Get inspiration for everyday adventuring in other places
"With Backyard Adventures, you go to places you've gone by a hundred times before but never stopped to actually look..." - Kristi Whitfiedl, Harbor Springs resident
Choose Your Micro Quest!
Each Micro Quest takes approximately 2 hours. You can extend it longer by using the "Discover More" prompts at any time.
Quest A: SPRINGS OF HARBOR SPRINGS
Quest B: BOARDWALK AND BLUFF (coming soon)
Quest C: WATERFRONT (coming soon)
Adventure Pack $25
Everything you need for questing
packed in a reusable drawstring bag:
• Postcard with stamp
• Supplies for Quest activity
• Quest Map and Field Guide
Quest Kit
Extra supplies for each additional person (optional):
$20 Packed in a Reusable Drawstring Bag
$15 Packed in a Recycled Paper Bag
• Journal and pencil
• Postcard with stamp
• Supplies for Quest activity
All You Need To Know
What's In My Adventure Pack?
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QUEST MAP with landmarks to guide your questing -
QUEST CARD with prompts to guid your questing -
SUPPLIES needed to do cool stuff on your Quest - BACKYARD ADVENTURE POSTCARD with stamp to share your story by mail
- JOURNAL and mini pencil to record your discoveries
Where Do I Pick Up My Adventure Pack?
What's The Difference Between 5-Day Uncamp and Micro Quests?
The 5-Day Uncamp is specially designed for kids 8-11 years.
It includes five Micro Quests plus additional fun features–finding a hidden fish every day, daily bonus bag for at-home creations, and Trails End check-in at Basecamp on Friday to get a prize.
Is Backyard Adventures COVID-Smart?
Backyard Adventures is designed to minimize contact and support safe practices recommended by the CDC, State of MI and City of HS including sanitizing hands, staying 6 ft. from others and wearing a mask in all indoor spaces and outdoors when social distancing is not possible. During your quest, you will not be directed to go inside any buildings. You may get your adventure pack by coming inside Basecamp or getting it curbside at the back door. After your quest, you are welcome to swing by Basecamp to share your stories and creations. Please note these practices may shift as new guidelines are announced.
Where Do I Go Adventuring?
Your Quest Map will direct you to a general destination in the downtown Harbor Springs area. Your Quest Card will send you on an adventure to different sites around that area. Every site is within walking distance.
How Does It Work?
REGISTER
• Online or in-person at Basecamp*
ADVENTURE PACK PICK-UP
• Come to Basecamp* between Noon-3pm daily or curbside anytime (bright blue door located in alley behind New York restaurant).
TRAILS END
Optional: swing by Basecamp* to share your adventures, mark the map, and find more resources.
* Basecamp is located in downtown Harbor Springs at 141 State St. across from Pierson's Restaurant.
Covid-Smart practices posted by door will be used to keep our community safe.
