Nothing is as fun as a scavenger hunt! Why not use this fun game as an opportunity to hold a fundraising event? Getting a scavenger hunt together is as easy as making the clues, hiding the clues and arranging for a prize to be won.
If you want to hide objects the players must find in order to move on to the next clue, then you can do this as well. More would be involved, such as finding objects that would lead or correspond with the next clue. Otherwise just using clues might be easier and less involved in trying to track down needed things to match the clues.
A few good locations to host this would be at a local park, community center or a school’s playground. Plenty of running room, hiding places and space for a concessions stand!
This fundraiser usually requires the children’s parents to pay an entry fee for their child. Get a large business to sponsor the event, and donate a really nice prize for the winner of the event. Proceeds from the fundraiser can go towards a specific school activity or need which might be coming up, or you can decide to use the funds towards a charity or city improvement fund.
Getting the hunt together:
- Arrange for certain parents to be part of the planning committee who make and hide the clues. There should be enough clues made that will keep the kids busy for about an hour.
- Have different starting points and paths laid out, enough for several groups of 8-12 kids. This way not everyone will heading to the same spot to hunt for clues at once. Parents can also help in directing the children when the games starts; explaining clues if needed and keeping order.
- Send out invitations via fliers made at school announcing the time, date and where it will be held. Also stock up ribbon in different colors to identify the teams.
- Ask parents to act as security for the event. You want to ensure all the children’s wellbeing while the fundraiser is going on. Don’t forget a first aid kit for scraped knees!
- Big batches of participation ribbons can be purchased at party stores or craft stores so that everyone has a memento of the day’s event.
- Plan to have a cookout after the hunt. Ask parents to bring their grills and donate hot-dogs, hamburgers, condiments for sandwiches, potato salad and drinks.
- Assign a cleaning crew to clean up after the event. You want to leave the area clean and tidy!
This event should be fun and exciting, so build up the anticipation by talking it up. Make it available to anyone in the school, but make sure when fliers are sent out parents know they need to make a specified donation for their child to participate in the scavenger hunt. Include in the flier the reason a donation is being asked for.
Make sure you post your title for the event in bold lettering and use the word fundraiser. This way there will be no question at the time of the event and a child wants to participate but hasn’t donated towards the fundraiser – but note that you can enter onsite the day of the event as well, and encourage extra donations for the plate dinner afterwards!
