Being active outdoors, learning about the local environment, and winning prizes are all things one can do with a KAZ passport. The Keystone Active Zone program encourages local outdoor activity by providing a “passport” to more than 30 different locations in and around Luzerne County.
 This passport gives the public the opportunity to answer questions about specific locations, and if answered correctly, participants are eligible to win prizes.
KAZ, a program run by a team of volunteers, began in 2007 and continues to encourage awareness of local outdoor activities, highlight the benefits of being physically active, promote economic development, and increase community pride.
Through the sponsorship and coordination of the Greater Hazleton “Rails to Trails”, Wilkes-Barre YMCA, and Live Well Luzerne County, KAZ is able to educate the community about places such as the Tubs Natural Area, Back Mountain Trail, Warrior’s Path in Shickshinny, and many other local parks and trails.
“KAZ is open to anyone of any age and ability. It’s here for people to use to get outside and be active in close-to-home parks, trails, and outdoor events over the summer,” said KAZ Coordinator Carol Hussa.
Each year a survey is taken to gain feedback from all the participants of the program and Hussa noted that almost everyone responds with an element of surprise at how many trails and parks they never knew existed in the area.
“Consistently, we hear people do this to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, to enjoy nature,” said Hussa. “They enjoy the program because they learn more about where they live and it’s an inexpensive recreation for them and their families– plus, it’s healthy.”
Registration through KAZ’s website, www.kazpassport.org, is required in order to receive a passport and be eligible to win prizes. Registration is free and once registered, participants can visit as many as 30 passport stops up until September 30, 2011. Questions are geared specifically toward each passport spot, and, in order to answer correctly, participants must visit the location.
“You have to actually go to the passport spot, whether it’s a park or trail, and find the answer to the question. We’ve been doing this for years and we’ve never had a problem with people sharing answers with others,” said Hussa. “The questions will be provided at the event or printed on the passport. People will go back to KAZ’s website to register and log their answers. We keep track of how many places they visit and for every five stops, they earn an award.”
The awards are incentives to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle. Awards given in the past include an adventure toolkit, foldable Frisbee, gift certificates to local bicycle shops, and passes to Sno Mountain and Sno Cove.
“One of the biggest powers of this program is that we hear people saying they would never have gone to this park or that event until they found out about it through the program,” said Hussa. “The most common reaction we hear is they never knew all these places existed, places that are so beautiful, full of nature, free, and so close to home. When you know more about where you live, you feel better about it.”
In 2010, KAZ was awarded the Northeastern Pennsylvania Environmental Partners Award by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and was featured in the article “Promoting and Developing a Trail Network Across Suburban, Rural and Urban Communities” in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
“We like to create local ambassadors. The more you know about your own community the more you can be a welcoming ambassador to visitors,” Hussa said.
The local state parks, outdoor events, and trails affiliated with KAZ’s program are available on its website, with links to more information pertaining to the trails and maps and showcasing the upcoming outdoor recreational activities in Luzerne County.
“We like to keep in touch with anyone who becomes involved and registers. We will send friendly reminders through e-mail that an event is coming up,” she said.
For more information about the program and a list of all the events associated with KAZ’s passport program, please visit www.kazpassport.org.
“I think this area is beautiful. In 10 minutes you’re out in the country. We need to work more to preserve what we have and stop the sprawl, and this program is a great way to introduce kids to the outdoors because you can’t get passionate and protect things you don’t know about or what you don’t love,” Hussa concluded.
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