Author:
Green Steps
Short summary:
A new quest is waiting for you at the border between Austria and Slovenia. We have recently finished this trail to get to know some of Gornja Radgona’s most astonishing trees while rediscovering a classic fairytale: Rapunzel.
October has been quite a busy month for Green Steps. We travelled from St. Pölten to Bad Radkersburg, an Austrian town bordering Slovenia, to participate in the Mura Calling project with some of the local students, carrying out workshops and creating and playing a quest. While in Bad Radkersburg, we decided to cross the bridge that connects it with Slovenia, to visit the picturesque town of Gornja Radgona.
Gornja Radgona and Bad Radkersburg used to be a single town, but after the First World War, the original town was divided in two, the first one belonging to Slovenia and the second to Austria. The bridge crossing the Mura river, however, stays as a symbol of union and cooperation between the two towns, making it a perfect place to start a quest.
We then decided to create a trail to explore this Slovenian town. Starting close to the bridge, it follows a path up a forested hill with breath-taking views until it ends at the top, where a beautiful castle straight out of a fairytale sits looking over the town.
And what better story for a quest with a castle than a princess tale? While playing this quest you will follow the story of Rapunzel, the long-haired princess locked in a tower, from the perspective of the “Tangled” Disney movie. Thus, as trees play an essential role in Green Steps’ work, get prepared to to meet the likes of the fearless Rapunzel (Ulmus minor), the sinister Mother Gothel (Populus nigra) or the adventurous Flynn Ryder (Quercus rubra) with the help of the ARK, Green Steps’ digital platform. Apart from these fascinating stops, throughout the route you will get to see lovely farm animals and orchards, all part of Gornja Radgona’s magical atmosphere.
By assigning a recognizable story to this activity, which is part of the gamification process, it becomes more appealing for children to take part in it. It is essential that apart from the fun elements, in this case provided by the story, there is a meaningful experience behind. This is where the environmental knowledge comes into action, easily “digestible” for the children with the help of the characters from the Rapunzel story.
To play the quest, first create an account on the ARK and then use the link you find below. Enjoy your Rapunzel adventure!
Further reading:
● 10 BFG Workshops for Schools online!
● Womb Waters Ober-Grafendorf
● On Alienation and Alignment
Interested to start a nature learning space in your town or school?
● Create a Community
● Become a Commons mentor
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