Seattle's Child

Your guide to a kid-friendly city

Agents of Discovery in parks

City parks departments invite kids to be Agents of Discovery

Education app encourages outdoor exploration

A honeybee.

A river otter.Ā 

A blue heron.

What could these creatures possibly have in common?Ā Ā 

Two things: They are all found in Washington State. And, they are all characters (ā€œsecret agentsā€) found in the free Agents of Discovery app that will launch a new campaign in Seattle, Tacoma, and other PNW parks to encourage kids and families to explore the outdoors together.Ā 

Like Pokemon Go for parks

Agents of Discovery, which won the 2020 Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals Excellence Award, is an educational technology platform that enables educators to create their own augmented reality games. The app uses augmented reality and geo-tracking to engage players (called ā€œagentsā€ in the app). In this case, program developers say itā€™s “like Pokemon Go for parks.” To play, you need to download the free app to a smartphone or tablet. Then head out to Seattle’s Carkeek Park, Discovery Park Visitor Center, a Discovery Park loop trail, or any of the eight Tacoma parks participating in the game. Several Seattle organizations and locations are also jumping in on the fun, including Pacific Science Center, Minerā€™s Landing on Pier 57.

On August 1, Agents of Discovery will launch its new Puget Sound Explorers campaign in collaboration with area parks. Once in the app, participants will go on ā€œmissionsā€ in individual parks by animal agent characters who will deliver interesting facts about local history, culture, ecosystems, and outdoor safety.Ā  For example, in Tacoma, players will learn about the Mysteries of McKinley Park. And at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, players can learn all about aviation.

Fun, facts, and challenges

Players will then be prompted to answer questions, complete short activities, and test their knowledge of outdoor spaces for a chance to earn fun rewards like badges and buttons. Agents who complete three missions will receive a Puget Sound Explorer lanyard (available at some locations). Complete six missions to win a grizzly near certificate and be entered to win an adventure backpack. After completing nine Missions, players will be entered to win one of the campaignā€™s grand prizes, which may include tickets to Pacific Science Center, Woodland Park Zoo, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, or Northwest Trek.Ā 

The Puget Sound Explorers campaign ends on September 30.

ā€œAgents of Discovery encourages players to explore and learn about a park they may not have visited before,ā€ said Michele Cardinaux, Tacoma Nature Center supervisor, in a recent announcement about the campaign. ā€œItā€™s also a great way to revisit your local park and see it through new eyes.ā€

Rachel Schulkin, spokesperson for Seattle Parks, says the “platform allows Seattle Parks and Recreation to have activities to engage park users when the staff is not present. We have robust environmental programs across the city, but this just takes those opportunities further.”

“This app really works for parents who are looking for positive and educational ways to use devices while also getting their family outside,” Schulkin adds. “Seattle Parks and Recreation is always looking for additional tools and ways to increase positive use in our parks.”Ā  The app, Schulkin says, will meet that parks department mission.

Many participating parks and organizations

Seattle and Tacoma parks are not the only places where the app can be used and played in the Puget Sound Explorers campaign.Ā 

Pierce County Parks, the City of Lakewood, the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the City of Yelm, Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, Kitsap County Public Works, and the City of Sequim will also host campaign ā€œmissions.ā€

The Agents of Discovery app is free to install from Google Play or the App Store. Park missions can be downloaded before you head out to the park. No data or Wi-Fi is required to play a mission once it has been downloaded, but the AR technology does require permission to use a deviceā€™s camera. The app uses voice-to-text technology for accessibility, and many missions can be played in both English and Spanish.

Read more:

Family-friendly outdoor movies in the parks Summer 2024

66 Days of Summer: Head to the park!

Family-Friendly Summer Outdoor Concerts around Seattle 2024

About the Author

Cheryl Murfin

Cheryl Murfin is managing editor at Seattle's Child. She is also a certified doula, lactation educator for NestingInstinctsSeattle.com and a certified AWA writing workshop facilitator at Compasswriters.com.