Elkins Resident First ‘SWINGO’ Winner

ELKINS, W.Va. — June 21, 2026 — Elkins resident Ivy Biswas became the first person in Randolph County to complete her “SWINGO” board a few seconds after midnight this morning, when she checked in at the Almost Heaven Swing at nearby Camp Pioneer in Beverly.

Inspired by the popular “Almost Heaven” swings that are located at iconic locations across the Mountain State, the West Virginia Department of Tourism launched the Almost Heaven SWINGO challenge in March. Participants can register for a digital Bingo board that is then delivered to their smartphones. They then can explore across West Virginia to visit the Almost Heaven swings, where they can then mark off spots on their digital SWINGO boards. Categories include locations by a river, lake, state border, historic sites, as well as sunny and rainy days. Participants must be near the Almost Heaven swing when they check in; the geo-location technology is made possible by the Department of Tourism’s partnership with the travel tech company Bandwango.

When participants score five spots in a row, they receive an Almost Heaven-themed sticker in the mail. When they complete the entire board, as Ms. Biswas did earlier this morning, they will receive an Almost Heaven swing-themed photo frame. She and other participants who complete the SWINGO challenge will also have influence in where the next Almost Heaven swing will be located. The challenge will continue through August.

“This was such a great way to explore and learn more about West Virginia,” said Ms. Biswas, who noted she and a friend together drove more than 2,000 miles in searching for the Almost Heaven swings. “So many of these spots were absolutely beautiful. It was so much more than about a sticker or frame. It made me appreciate the state I’ve called home for almost three years.”

Local officials also weighed in on Ms. Biswas’ accomplishment.

“We are incredibly proud of Ivy for being the first Elkins resident to complete the SWINGO challenge,” said Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco. “Her adventure showcases the natural beauty we have around us, including in nearby Camp Pioneer, and across the Mountain State. It’s exciting to see a program like this bring people, including our local Ascenders, out to explore and appreciate all that West Virginia has to offer.”

Ms. Biswas, an Indiana native, moved to West Virginia in 2023 from Denver through Ascend WV, a program that incentivizes remote workers to relocate to the Mountain State. She’s a senior data analyst at a global insurance firm.

Learn more about the Almost Heaven swings here: https://wvtourism.com/west-virginias-most-instagrammable-views/