Scavenger Hunt-Geocaching
Have you ever been on a Scavenger Hunt? Scavenger Hunts can be done one of two ways. The first is to give an individual or a team a list of items to find. The list ranges from “easy-to-find” objects to ones that are unusual and will take more critical thinking to uncover. In this version of the Scavenger Hunt, the person brings the object in with them and then displays them to determine the winner. The second way you can organize a Scavenger Hunt is for the “leader” of the group to organize a series of clues that can be found in a number of locations. The first clue leads the person or team to the second clue. The second clue leads the team to the third location and so on. At the end of the “hunt” the person or team ends up with a prize. This game is generally enjoyable, unless of course you can’t find the object or the next clue.
Today the Scavenger Hunt has been elevated with the use of GPS trackers. Think about how fun this could be while the youth are learning about longitude and latitude, and points of intersection. This is known as geocaching. Think about applying the GPS tracker to the first type of Scavenger Hunt. Instead of bringing back the “item”, the players would be expected to find the item and then record the location by using the GPS tracker. If you used the GPS tracker in the second type of Scavenger Hunt, the clues would be written as an intersection point on the GPS, and then the youth would find the next clue when they discovered the next location.
Global Kids did a geocaching “game” in the summer of 2012 called Race to the White House. On the Irvine Ranch in California campers were lead to “look outs” and points of geological interest by following the lead of the GPS Tracker. You can also find opportunities to geocache around the world. It is one of those totally free, outdoor activities, which people can participate in. Consider how you might promote this activity in your program. What would it take? What would the youth learn as a participant? Let us know what you think?
Consult 4 Kids has a long history of advocating for youth and the adults who are their positive role models and mentors. To learn more about our work, please visit our website at www.consultforkids.com, email us at support@consultfourkids.com or call us at (661) 617-7055.