BY PEPPER FISHER
SEQUIM — The folks at the City of Sequim have introduced a new interactive game for kids that not only will get them out of the house this summer, but be a fun way to learn how things work around their community.
‘Agents of Discovery’ is an app they can download on their phones designed to engage young adventurers with a blend of outdoor fun and education. The app’s first campaign, “Reclaimed Water Wonders,” transforms users into secret agents on missions to learn about reclaimed water usage at Carrie Blake Park’s Water Reuse Demonstration Site.
Parks and Events Assistant Manager Emma Jane Garcia explains.
“So, Agents of Discovery is an augmented reality app. And what that means is, when you are on site, the Reclaimed Water Wonders mission that we’re launching, this is our inaugural mission, is designed so that you can only play it on site at the park. And when you get on site, there’s going to be a GPS trigger. And as you move physically around the Reuse Demonstration site side of Carrie Blake Park, you’ll be able to access the different triggers. And you will kind of move over by the bandshell, and over by the pond. And through this mission, you will get to learn about how reclaimed water is used at Carrie Blake Park.”
Garcia says the app is suited for children at a 3rd-grade reading level and up. A typical session lasts 30-45 minutes, and the app is available for free on Android and iOS.
This mission for young explorers will be just the first of many others being planned for the coming months and years.
“So, there’s all sorts of missions that you can expect surrounding lots of different topics. I don’t want to spoil anything quite yet, but it’ll be fun. We’ll keep the community abreast. And then each time you complete a mission, the agent gets to…they get a secret pass phrase, and then they can talk to any park staff member or come into the Civic Center, and pick up a special sticker reflective of the mission that they completed.”
A launch event is set for Thursday, June 26, from 3:30 to 6:00pm at Carrie Blake Park. The event will include City staff to assist with the game and provide free Wi-Fi for app downloads.
Following the app launch on June 26, players can continue their explorations and learning independently at the park.
App download links can be found on the City’s website at sequimwa.gov. Look for the mission’s mascot, Agent Sunny, the red-tailed hawk.
(Photo by Emma Jane Garcia. L-R: Avy Priest and Macy Priest test the Agents of Discovery app)