45,000 miles walked in Windsor & Maidenhead virtual Street Tag
Smartphone app treasure hunt game transforms royal borough into playground, getting local pupils and their families more active.
Over 57 days between June 10 and August 6, the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead hosted a season of Street Tag in an effort to get people more active and healthier, as well exploring and discovering the local community.
School children playing virtual Street Tag, photo courtesy of Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Council
Participants play the family-friendly treasure hunt game Street Tag using a smartphone app, searching their surroundings – whether on foot or two wheels – for hidden virtual tags. In Windsor & Maidenhead, tags were hidden in locations including parks, footpaths and bridleways, leisure centres and other public spaces.
Pupils and their families from 24 schools in the borough took part, each school competing to win the most points by finding different points. In total, more than 69,000 tags were collected in the less than two months that the season run, with participants covering the equivalent of 45,000 miles (roughly 72,500 km), or more than 52m steps. The PTAs of the two highest-scoring schools will now be awarded £50.
As well as competing with one another, participants also added their own tags to favourite walking, cycling, running and rolling routes, whether to and from school or while out and about at weekends. By sharing these tags, they encourage more of their peers to get active.
Those who played in the royal borough’s first season are also being invited to complete an online survey to help and inform future versions of the game.
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead will host a second eight-week season of Street Tag for schools from September 16. In the new year, a third season will be open to all local residents and communities. For more information, see ‘Street Tag in the Royal Borough’ on the council website.
Cllr Simon Werner, Leader of Windsor & Maidenhead Council, says: ‘It think it’s fair to say that the first season of Street Tag in the Royal Borough has been a resounding success. I’m thrilled for the families and their children taking part who enjoyed quality and healthy time outside together while exploring some of the many spaces and places our borough has to offer.
‘If your school didn’t take part in the first season, there’s still time for them to sign up for the second starting this autumn. And of course, we’re looking forward to the third season when all of us can also have a go.’
Seun Oshinaike, Founder and CEO of Street Tag, adds: ‘As we close out this incredible first season, the overwhelming enthusiasm and engagement from the borough’s community has truly exceeded our expectations. Street Tag has transformed the simple act of walking into a powerful, joyful experience. This journey is just beginning, and we’re delighted to continue creating a future where every step counts.’
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