By Liz Nolan, Contributing Writer

Pastor Valeria Schmidt often takes the time to chat with Pokémon GO players who visit the site at Northborough Trinity Church.
Photo/Liz Nolan
Northborough – If you have noticed more kids outside this summer walking in groups or riding bikes, it may be due to the Pokémon GO craze. They may be still holding an electronic device, but many parents are thrilled their kids are outside being social with friends and meeting other people.
Pokémon GO is a popular multiplayer, GPS-dependent game application used with a mobile device. Players search real world areas in order to find and capture Pokémon monsters, which are based on the popular video game and collectible cards.
Northborough’s Trinity Church Pastor Valeria Schmidt quickly realized that the church’s 23 Main St. location is a Pokémon Gym site. This means that Pokémon teams can battle virtually at this site.
She wants parents and kids to know that the location is a safe and welcoming place to hang out and meet other kids playing the game.
Although there are no official greeters for players of the game, Schmidt often goes outside to say hello to the kids and welcome them.
“There are picnic tables, it is shaded and has Wi-Fi,” Schmidt said. “There’s a poster on the picnic table with Wi-Fi info.”
Although the game is still electronic, kids are being social, having fun, and moving their bodies. Game players are, of course, encouraged to take safety precautions and be aware of their surroundings especially as older kids are meeting friends to go Pokémon hunting on their own.
Schmidt said, “It’s important for kids to have a sense of independence.”
“What I like about Pokémon GO is that players go with the flow,” she said. “It’s important for the brain to have time to be creative. The game lets you decide where to go next.”
As kids head back to school and their lives get busier with the fall routine, Schmidt’s advice is to not stress out too much.
She referred to a recent study from Finland where students are excelling in school partly because they do not have homework and have more free time to decide what they want to do and more time for kids to be kids.
“Keep some of the unstructured time to go outside and ride bikes,” she said. “The brain and body need a time of rest. Make that time every week.”
Trinity Church will also be holding its annual Back to School Carnival on Sunday, Sept. 11. Worship with a back to school blessing will be held at 10 a.m. and followed by the carnival (with a bounce house and dunk tank) and cookout. The event is open to all.
More information on Trinity Church can be found at www.trinitynorthborough.org and its Facebook page.