Goal
The main goal of a scavenger hunt is to send participants with a list of things to find, obtain, photograph, videotape, audiotape, etc. The hope is that as you work together as a team, relationships will develop.
advertising opportunity
Make invitations to your church, business or organization and give them to everyone who participates or interacts with the groups in any way. Or create a small thank you card with your contact information. Participants can give a thank you card to everyone who helps them. Even better, invite them to a party or slideshow where the results will be displayed.
Preparation of item lists
Lists can be as creative and wild as you want them to be. Design your list around a theme or concept:
Ecological, Objects of the Bible, Activities, Food, Canned goods, Item prices, Animal tracks, Footprints, Photos in historic places, People, sounds, clothing, Church members, Camping supplies, Items for the needy, Materials recycled, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, New Years, Halloween, Noah’s Ark Party, old family photos, fruits, vegetables, widgets, posed photos, video, etc.
Protection of participants
1. Don’t let any youth drive: Put adults in charge and don’t allow horseplay on the roads like “Chinese fire drills.” Make sure everyone wears seat belts or take important points off if they’re caught on film without them. You can also do the treasure hunt on foot. You don’t want a participant to die while speeding during your scavenger hunts.
2. Entrants must obey all laws and sponsor instructions.
3. Limit the playing area and place people in strategic places if necessary to ensure the safety of the participants.
4. Make sure each group has a mobile phone and emergency contact numbers.
Points
1. Set a specific point value for each item in the list.
2. Have a penalty point for each minute of delay in reaching the final destination or for reporting back with the items.
3. For video or photo scavenger hunts, award groups extra points for having a company, organization, or church logo on each image. You could also require a Bible, a pet, or some other object in each image. Some groups have even been known to have to bring a large teddy bear or other object (a sofa) to be in every picture.
4. Award bonus points for having everyone in the group as part of the photo or video.
Treasure Hunt Planning: 10 Steps
1. PURPOSE: What is the purpose of your scavenger hunt?
(Is it an icebreaker? To team up? Just for fun?)
2. TYPE: What type of scavenger hunt is it?
(Is it for collecting items? A photo scavenger hunt? A video scavenger hunt? A sound scavenger hunt? Others?)
3. THEME: What is the theme?
(Is it a pirate treasure hunt? A superhero hunt? Aladdin’s magic carpet hunt? Others?)
4. LOCATION: Where will the hunt take place? What are the limits?
(Are you limited to a school or church building? The downtown area? Within walking distance? Site survey to determine potential problems. Get permission in advance from affected businesses and individuals.)
5. LIST OF ITEMS: What items do participants need to collect?
(Based on your purpose, type of hunt, and theme, make a list of items that can be found within the specified limits. Are substitutions allowed?)
6. SCORING: How will points be assigned?
(Are some items worth more than others? Are there points for creativity and quality?)
7. INVITATIONS: Who will be invited to join the Treasure Hunt?
(What should they bring? What should they wear? Tailor the invitations to your theme.)
8. TEAMS: How will participants be divided into teams?
9. RULES: What are the rules?
(Keep in mind the safety of the participants and minimize possible problems).
10. PRIZES: Determine the place and time of the awards party.
(How will the teams present their items to the judges?)