Treasure Hunt & Cream Tea
In June 2009 we held a Treasure Hunt and Cream Tea event for families and friends.
In essence the treasure hunt was a simple case of driving to set locations; gathering the answers required and then returning to the start point to enjoy a cream tea. In fact it was too simple so I decided to to add some variable factors to make the outcome a bit less predictable.
Having decided the approximate area to cover (allowing around 90 minutes of activity time) it was then a case of visiting various locations in order to devise some suitably fiendish questions. This still seemed rather easy so the clues to the locations were made rather cryptic and set in no particular order. This meant that it would be wise to work out destinations before driving away as some of our participants did.
The next variable was to ensure that the scoring system gave everybody a chance to win. There were points awarded to the top three teams across different categories - fastest time; shortest distance; most correct answers; and extra points based on a scavenger hunt.
I was now satisfied that this was going to be a fun event. All that was left to do was to test the route on a Saturday afternoon to ensure that any possible problems had been restricted to the minimum. At this point I have to thank my dear wife, Jan, for acting as a test driver, especially when the roads did not match the map we were using for the event!
On the day of the event we had five teams particpating - Mason Masons, Rat Race, Beach Combers, Mobile Village and Lost Cause. We had some great results and the scavenger hunt brought out some real initiative to get some of the unusual items on the list.
While our intrepid explorers were trying to crack the locations and find the scavenger hunt items, Jan and I assisted Jane and Les in preparing the cream teas.
The final results were:
- 24 pts - Rat Race
- 19 pts - Mobile Village
- 15 pts - Lost Cause
- 14 pts - Mason Masons
- 09 pts - Beach Combers
Certificates were awarded to everybody who participated in the event. The overall winners' trophy was awarded to Rat Race, otherwise known as Peter & Louise Cresser and their friends Paul & Donna Pearson. As the trophy is an annual award it now falls upon Bro. Peter Cresser to organise a suitable event for 2010.