The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced Monday that registration (at www.NoChildLeftInside.org) is now open for the 2013 Great Park Pursuit Spring Sprint.

This Connecticut adventure introduces families to the outdoors, builds the next generation of environmental stewards and showcases Connecticut’s state parks and forests over five weeks this spring.

The Great Park Pursuit Spring Sprint is a central element of Connecticut’s No Child Left Inside initiative. The game will take families to five different state parks and forests this spring.

“The Great Park Pursuit Spring Sprint has become a time-honored tradition at DEEP since its beginning eight years ago,” Daniel Esty, DEEP commissioner, said. “Families, who are new to Connecticut’s state parks and forests, are able to bond together and learn how to fish, canoe, hike, and play outdoor games – all under the expert guidance of environmental professionals.”

The Great Park Pursuit will kick off May 11 at Osbornedale State Park in Derby and conclude June 8.

Clues to activities and locations will be available at the end of each week’s activity and on the No Child Left Inside website. At each location, teams will be asked to complete a series of activities that highlight the opportunities in Connecticut’s state parks and forests such as hiking, canoeing, fishing, picnicking and more.

Teams that participate in all five events will receive a 2013 Connecticut State Park and Forest Pass. The contest is open to Connecticut families, each of which must include one person 18 or over and one person under the age of 18.

The Great Park Pursuit Spring Sprint 2013 will take Connecticut families on a journey to five different state parks, forests and recreation areas over a five-week period. At each location, teams will be asked to complete various activities such as hiking, fishing, canoeing and more. Each week, the name of the state park or forest will be posted on the NCLI website by 3 p.m. on Thursday and can be accessed by visiting www.NoChildLeftInside.org

There will be one bonus visitation spot: the Centennial Campout on Aug. 17 at Gay City State Park in Hebron as part of the 100th anniversary celebration of Connecticut state parks. Registered 2013 Great Park Pursuit families that also participate in the campout will be eligible to receive a bonus prize.

All events for the 2013 Great Park Pursuit Spring Sprint are free of charge to registered families.