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Years
ago the concept of a treasure hunt meant beginning with a
map and looking for a large X to mark the spot where treasure
can be dug up and found. Over the years, thanks to books like
The Gold Bug and movies like National Treasure, they've evolved
into so much more. They now are known to involve clues, puzzles,
traps among just some of the obstacles standing in the way
of the treasure seeker and his prize. These new additions
can put a burden on the treasure hunt designer because now
the adventurer has higher expectations than ever before on
a treasure hunt, leaving the person setting up with a lot
to consider, create, design and figure out. Because of this,
many party planners opt out of creating one in favor of an
activity that's less of a 'burden.' Hopefully, with this series
of articles you'll have the tools you'll need to plan a fun
and original treasure hunt that your guests will enjoy and
yet won't leave you pulling out your hair in the process.
Before
we jump in to looking at the different formats below, I'd
like to make a point that the treasure hunt concept is NOT
restricted to just looking for pirate's treasure. Although
the pirate theme is perhaps the most iconic with treasure
hunts, it's by far not the only one available. Throughout
time man has had a fascination with seeking treasure (fake
passages were built into the great pyramids of Egypt to trick
grave robbers from stealing the pharaoh's loot.) You are only
limited by your imagination. ANY period in history can lead
to 1001 ideas on a great treasure hunt. Plunders of war from
the Crusades, US Civil War, World Wars I & II, the Punic
Wars in Greece, etc. If there was a ruler in a country, then
there was treasure to be hidden and found.
Another
aspect to consider, which is closely related to the topic
immediately above regarding what kind of treasure the adventurer
is looking for, is the inclusion of a story. Even the weakest
back story can help the adventurer care more about the searching
for the treasure. Video games such as Pac-Man and Donkey Kong
(for those that are old enough to remember these games from
the early 80's) are things of the past and have been replaced
by games with full blown stories and characters. Now, it's
the gamer knows the name and life story of the hero as well
as the person they are trying to save. It has become so much
more personal now. Consider adding a story of some kind to
your treasure hunt. Where did the treasure come from? Why
should the adventurer go after it? Is it JUST because of the
monetary value or is there a higher reason to go after it?
A
final consideration is knowing your adventurers…WHO will
actually be going on your hunt. A treasure hunt for six year
olds is entirely different from a hunt planned for a sharp
group of adults. Smaller children needs more things 'to do'…more
activity (ESPECIALLY for the boys participating.) Adults,
though can enjoy the physical aspects of the hunt, don't NEED
all of the physical aspects to enjoy themselves. Make sure
that the physical activity required to complete the activity
is appropriate to the mobility of your adventurers.
To
go to Treasure Hunts Part II - Click HERE.
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