REGION — Promoting physical, mental and social wellness, New York State Parks’ 2025 Wellness Challenge launched earlier this year encourages New York residents and visitors to explore the benefits of the outdoors by engaging in various activities within our state parks and historic sites. Keeping the recreation and wellness enthusiasm going through the summer season, State Parks today unveiled the commemorative wellness-themed sticker sheet that Wellness Challenge finishers receive when they complete 25 of the available challenge missions.  

“Summer is in full force and the Wellness Challenge is a perfect way for visitors to make the most of their next State Parks adventure,” New York State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said.?“ All year long, New York State Parks is helping New Yorkers unplug from their devices and get outside where they can connect with each element of their personal and social wellness. Spending time outdoors and off the internet fosters positive physical health outcomes, brings communities closer together, and lessens the impact for many of life's everyday stresses. Whether you’re looking to host a family barbeque, take a dip in one of our amazing state park pools, or give back to your local park by joining a Friends group, the New York State Parks Wellness Challenge is an affordable way to start your journey of healthier living.”  

The New York State Parks Wellness Challenge includes 50 missions that can be completed at various state parks and historic sites. The challenge runs through the end of 2025 and can be accessed both digitally on the Goosechase app and physically as a printed checklist brochure most State Park facilities. In addition to receiving the commemorative sticker sheet, participants who finish 25 missions, they will also receive a postcard mailed to their address as a prize at the beginning of next year. Those completing the challenge digitally will be required to complete the “Lets STICK Together” mission in order to receive their prize.  

Composed of nine fun and charming designs, the stickers encourage participants to continue working on different aspects of their wellness. Featuring animals and outdoor iconography found at state parks, and in some instances, themes connected to missions within the Wellness Challenge, these designs are appealing for both children and adults looking to celebrate their achievement. A preview of the sticker sheet can be found on the Wellness Challenge page of the New York State Parks website.  

The New York State Parks Wellness Challenge aims to:  

• Encourage holistic wellness: mental, physical, intellectual, spiritual, social, occupational, financial and environmental 
• Increase both in- and out-of-state visitation by promoting New York as a recreation and wellness destination 
• Educate potential visitors on free and low-cost opportunities, activities and events within the parks and sites system 
• Offer accessible and inspirational wellness events, programs, and activities that can be completed at State Parks facilities  

Designed to be completed by people of all abilities, the Wellness Challenge can be finished by visiting parks and historic sites across the state or ones that are close to home. The challenge’s mission supports the Governor's “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative to promote physical and mental health by encouraging New York’s kids and families to put down their phones and computers, take a break from social media, and enjoy recreation and outdoor social gatherings.  

Examples of summertime missions include:  

• Mental wellness: 5-4-3-2-1— Engage your senses! Identify five (5) things you can see, four (4) things you can touch, three (3) things you can hear, two (2) things you can smell, and one (1) thing you can taste. 
• Physical wellness: Water You Waiting For? Jump On In! —Take a dip at one of our many pools, lakes, or beaches to cool off and engage your muscles. 
• Social wellness: Ketchup With Friends— Whether on our green grass, sandy beaches, or in one of our rental pavilions, grab a group and enjoy a BBQ or picnic outdoors! 
• Financial wellness: Fun for Free— Our state parks and historic sites offer a variety of free events for folks to take part in. Check out our online events calendar to join in on the fun! 
• Occupational wellness: Learn About Opportunities — Did you know there are a variety of employment opportunitieswith New York State Parks? Take some time to explore what is out there. 
• Environmental wellness: Reduce — Help us reduce waste with the Carry In, Carry Out method. Anything you bring onto the property with you, bring it back out (yes, including trash!).  

Those seeking to participate in the challenge can do so digitally through the Goosechase app and by using a paper checklist available at most state parks and historic sites. Participants can get involved by downloading Goosechase on the App Store or Google Play, or by visiting their local State Park facility to receive the paper checklist.  

Goosechase App  

• Download the app on an iPhone or Android device 
• Search for “New York State Parks Wellness Challenge” in the search bar or use the join code “C38WSA” to get started
• Upon joining, participants can collect points by completing missions right in the app by either taking and uploading photos or videos or submitting an answer to a question  

Paper Checklist 

• A paper checklist can be downloaded on our Wellness Challenge website and printed at home, or it can be picked up at your local state park or historic site 
• Collect points by checking missions off the list and mailing the checklist in once participants have earned 25 points 
• Completed submissions should then be mailed by January 16, 2026, to this address  

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation 
625 Broadway 
Albany, N.Y. 12207 
Attn. Wellness Challenge 

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which saw a record 88 million visits in 2024. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app  or call 518.474.0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.