It’s not just the kids who get cabin fever in winter, snowmen do too! Chikaming Open Lands is asking for your help to find their escaped snowmen during their Snowman Hunt through January 21, 2023. “These mischievous characters came alive during the winter solstice and escaped from our office! Can you help us get them back?”
The Mitten Gang, a band of frosty fugitives, has hidden in the preserves of Chikaming Open Lands, and its up to you to find them. Six snowmen are ‘wanted’ in our area, and there is a reward if they are found! Multiple local businesses have generously sponsored this fun outdoor activity, helping friends and families to get outside and get active, during school break and beyond.
“Our preserves are open to the public, free, and can be visited from dawn until dusk everyday of the year,” says COL. “Each property is unique and offers multiple diverse habitats that make Southwest Michigan so special.” There are over a dozen preserves under the umbrella of Chikaming Open Lands in towns such as New Buffalo, Harbert, Sawyer, Grand Beach, Galien, and Three Oaks, but there are clues on their website as to which ones are housing the rogue snowmen.
“This is our first year doing the Snowman Hunt,” says Grace Ball, Education & Community Outreach Coordinator for COL. “Typically, we see a lot of community engagement in our events, such as the #10TrailChallenge, Enchanted Forest, and Fall Photo Contest. This last year our #10TrailChallenge (where you choose ten of the fifteen available trails and track your hike progress online) had over 400 people registered!”
With thanks to snowman sponsors Forte Coffee St. Joseph, Infusco Coffee in Sawyer, Biggby Coffee in Sawyer, and Burn Em’ Brewing in Michigan City, IN, events like this one would not be possible. When you find a snowman, snap a selfie with your frozen friend, and tag @chikamingopenlands with the hashtag #SNOWMANHUNT. To be entered into a weekly drawing for a delicious beverage from one of the sponsors and some Chikaming Open Lands swag, scan the QR code on the back of the snowman and fill out the form. The Snowman Hunt only goes through January 21st, 2023, so get searching!
Chikaming Open Lands is a local land conservancy that exists to protect and preserve the open spaces and natural rural character of Southwest Berrien County. They host educational events all year, like seasonal hikes, presentations on Michigan’s pollinators, bat house building workshops, StoryWalk on the Preserves, and much more. Sign up for their newsletter, donate online, and learn more about how you can get involved at chikamingopenlands.org.
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM Contributor
