Scavenger Hunting Basics: Important Tips for Planning Successful Scavenger Hunts

Aim

The main goal of a scavenger hunt is to send participants off with a list of things to find, obtain, photograph, videotape, audiotape, etc. The hope is that as they 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:

Eco Friendly, Bible Objects, Occupations, 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 youngsters drive: Put adults in charge and don’t allow roadside horseplay like “Chinese fire drills.” Make sure everyone wears seat belts or take important points off if they are 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 treasure hunts.

2. Participants must obey all laws and instructions from Sponsors.

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 list item.

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 additional points for having a business, organization or church logo on each image. You might 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 each picture.

4. Award extra points for having everyone in the group as part of the photo or video.

Scavenger Hunt Planning: 10 Steps

1. PURPOSE: What is the purpose of your treasure hunt?

(Is it an icebreaker? To build teams? Just for fun?)

2. TYPE: What type of treasure 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’s treasure hunt? A superhero hunt? Aladdin’s magic carpet hunt? Others?)

4. LOCATION: Where will the hunt take place? What are the limits?

(Is it limited to a school or church building? Downtown area? Within walking distance? Site reconnaissance for potential problems. Get permission in advance from affected businesses and individuals.)

5. LIST OF ITEMS: What items do the participants need to collect?

(Based on your purpose, type of hunt, and subject, list the items that can be found in the specified boundaries. 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 the participants be divided into teams?

9. RULES: What are the rules?

(Consider the safety of the participants and minimize potential problems.)

10. AWARDS: Determine the place and time of the awards party.

(How will the teams present their items to the judges?)