Be a Trailblazer returns in 2026 with $15,000 in prizes and collectible pins

The Forest Preserve’s Be a Trailblazer experience returns in 2026 with four seasonal sessions packed with missions, prizes and new collectible achievement pins. 

Participants who complete nature-themed challenges are entered into random prize drawings. The 2026 prize pool totals more than $15,000.

“The Be a Trailblazer campaign is about connecting people with nature and encouraging them to get out into the forest preserves more often,” said Chad Merda, head of digital marketing strategy/engagement for the Forest Preserve. “Whether they're doing missions solo or with their entire family, it's about having meaningful experiences in the forest preserves year-round.”

Past participants have reported many benefits from joining the experience including better physical and mental health, more time spent with family and pets and new friendships forged in the forest preserves. 

Here are the dates for the four seasonal sessions to be held in 2026: 

• Winter: Jan. 1 to March 14
• Spring: March 25 to May 30
• Summer: June 10 to Sept. 12
• Fall: Sept. 23 to Dec. 12

To join, download the free Goosechase app to your smartphone and search for 2026 Be a Trailblazer or enter the code JYBKK4. 

Each season will feature two mission drops, one on the first day of the session and another around the midpoint. Missions will include things like GPS check-ins, trivia questions, photo assignments, 1-4 mile hikes and finding specific interpretive panels to answer questions based on the information on these panels. 

“We’re setting it up so that with each seasonal mission drop, there is a core group of preserves that are featured in all four seasons so people can see those locations as they change throughout the year,” Merda explained. “Whether it’s a trail dusted in snow in the winter or bursting with fall color, it’s an entirely different experience each time.”

The popular gated missions return in 2026, adding a scavenger hunt–style element that unlocks new challenges only after earlier missions are completed. 

$15,000 prize pool

A leaderboard will be available for fun, but all prizes will be awarded through random drawings. Participants will have chances to win weekly T-shirt and hat giveaways and prizes tied to specific missions. Larger prizes include Yeti coolers, Oru foldable kayaks, Solo stoves, camping gear, binoculars, fishing starter packs, snowshoes, Fitbits and more.

“The more missions they do, the better their odds of winning something in our incredible prize pool,” Merda said. 

Funding support comes from The Nature Foundation of Will County, along with contributions from more than 30 generous local businesses providing nearly 200 prizes. The business contributions range from bird-themed gift baskets from Wild Birds Unlimited Joliet to wine from Goat & Wine Restaurant and Winery. 

Here is a complete list of all the generous businesses and organizations that contributed to Be a Trailblazer:  

3 Corners Tap and Grill, New Lenox; Arrowhead Ales, New Lenox; Aurelio's Pizza, Joliet; Big Apple Café, Joliet; Channahon Lanes, Channahon; Country Charm, New Lenox; Craft’d, Plainfield; Dan's Homemade Candies, Joliet; Delta Sonic, Joliet; DNA Plainfield, Plainfield; Fritz's Pour House, Crest Hill; Goat & Vine Winery and Restaurant, Bolingbrook; Gost Coffee Roasters, New Lenox; Hamburgerseria, Joliet; Home Cut Donuts, Joliet; Jitters, Joliet; Joliet Area Historical Museum, Joliet; Ken Woody Sports & More, Joliet; and KidsWork Children’s Museum, New Lenox.

Also, Lallos Bar and Grill, Channahon; Mr. Submarine, Joliet; Old Fashioned Pancake House, Joliet; Prairie Bluff Golf Club, Crest Hill; Ruby’s Burritos, Romeoville; Social Butterfly Coffee, Joliet; Tacos Maui, Joliet; The Forge: Lemont Quarries, Lemont; Waffles Kafé, New Lenox; West 52 BBQ, Shorewood; Wild Birds Unlimited, Joliet; and X-Golf, Shorewood.

Collectible pins

In addition to offering longer seasonal sessions and a greater number of prizes in 2026, participants can earn collectible pins based on points accumulated by completing missions.

Four achievement levels will be offered: Trailblazer Rookie, Trailblazer Explorer, Trailblazer Adventurer and Trailblazer Master. Pins will be mailed to participants once each level is reached. Additional details will be released when the experience begins.

Based on last year’s participation, Merda expects even more people to join the experience in 2026. 

“We saw record participation and engagement from all age groups for last year’s award-winning Be a Trailblazer campaign,” he said. “And we’re not only hoping to keep that momentum going and turn more people into Trailblazers, but we’re raising the bar with more prizes and the introduction of collectible pins tied to a person’s participation level.”