Eagles and ice cream? Ducks and donuts? Chocolate trees?! Wait … make that chocolate and trees. Still.
This either sounds like an uphill battle for The Intertwine Alliance’s health and nature work or a delicious collection of adventures found only in the brand-new Daycation mobile app.
Since I’m not one to intentionally make life difficult for others, I’ll tell you, it’s the latter. (Though, full disclosure, I’m at least partially responsible for the donut stop in the Tualatin River Refuge Daycation.) The Daycation mobile app is now available for your exploring pleasure on the Apple iOS platform. An Android version and companion website are in the works.
It’s been exciting and rewarding to watch the Daycations roll in over the past few months. You now have a virtual guide to biking along the Columbia River and the downtown waterfront. You have one-stop shopping to test your nature detective skills at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and find hidden fossils embedded in Portland skyscrapers. You can even steal Intertwine Alliance Executive Director Mike Wetter’s date-night secret. Just don’t steal his favorite patio table.
Getting to this point has been an epic journey for our Fellowship of the App, made up of an amazing cast of characters from the The Intertwine Alliance, Frank Creative, Metro, Vive Northwest, ROSE Community Development, Waste Management, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, OMBU and Trailhead Labs. Thanks also to the creative members of our community who have given us, at last count, 18 new ways to experience Our Common Ground.
While the work is far from over (in fact, it feels like it’s just beginning), I want to ask for your help in two simple ways: 1) Take a Daycation and 2) Make a Daycation.
1. Take a Daycation — and tell us what you think.
This is the easy part. We are actively seeking “beta testers” — folks willing to download the app, read a few Daycations, take a Daycation, and fill out a simple feedback form. For those leery of newfangled technology, I’ve made this even easier for you by putting together a little “Daycation 101” video that demonstrates the main features of the app.
To become a beta tester, simply contact Intertwine Alliance Communications Manager Tara Wilkinson at tara@theintertwine.org, and let her know you’re interested.
2. Make a Daycation — and brag about it.
Daycations are about authentic experiences in our community that include the outdoors. Anyone can make one. If you’ve got a favorite journey through your neighborhood, town, or elsewhere in the region, Daycation is your way to share it near and far.
Making a Daycation is easy, especially if you take my advice and try #1 first. See how others have strung together restaurants, pubs, coffee shops, parks, trails, and even a sky tram into creative adventures. Read waypoint descriptions and get inspired to not just guide people to a place, but share what’s special about it and help others discover why they should love it, too.
Once you’ve decided on your journey and pulled together the pieces, head over to the Daycation Creation Station to easily enter your text, images and video. In a short time, the dedicated Intertwine Alliance staff will have you appearing in the app. All that’s left is to spread the word and watch your “heart” count rise.
What’s next
While I enjoy taking a breath and sharing this good news with you, like I said, we’re really just getting started. Plan on seeing more about Daycation as summer draws closer. A marketing strategy, youth engagement program, and long-term sustainability plan are all under development. There will be opportunities for you to get more involved, as well. If you like what you’ve read and seen so far, express your interest any time to daycation@theintertwine.org.
We envision a bright future for the Daycation concept and the mobile app. With your help testing and providing feedback, that vision will become even more clear. By adding your voice and perspective through your own Daycations, the dream of this being an asset for the community and by the community will come to pass.
Now, get ready. Get set. Go EXPLORE, DISCOVER and SHARE!