Treasure Hunt

Not being all metaphorical here, talking about an actual treasure hunt.  One of our boys was wanting to go on an "adventure".  When he started talking about it I was a little wary.  His idea of adventure was way different than ours.  It took me a while to figure it out but I think I nailed it.  We had them go on a real "treasure hunt".

We had a few goals in mind.  We wanted them to start to work together as a team.  We see a lot of the "every man for himself" kind of thinking here.  So we told them they had to stay together and everyone had to help.  I would love to tell you that they are praying in the picture above but they are not.  However, they are thinking and talking and planning just like we asked.

We started out with a clue which led to another clue and so on.  There is a park in Spanish Lookout called Countryside Park.  As you can see it is beautiful and includes a large lagoon.

Some of the clues were rhymes.  Many of them included compass coordinates.  This was a big leap for these guys.  Dennis gave them instructions on orienteering and they caught on quickly.

We put this clue on the side of the bridge.  

At this point we had them sit for a minute and practice the Men Of Honor Axiom, which they did very well.  

There is a special little area in the corner of the park dedicated to the history of the Mennonites.  They have a listing of family members and when they settled in the area.  We made a "cypher" that spelled out the next place for the boys to go.  It took them a few minutes but once they figured it out it went quickly.   

We had to remind them often that they were supposed to stay together and work as a team.  This is something that we will be working on.  Looks like they were enjoying the morning!

They waited for me to cross the spillway so I could get ahead of them.  We had a clue right under where they are sitting on the wall.

Brian using the compass.  A few of them caught on quickly.

They had to run through a small section of thick trees and collect the pieces of a sentence and then work together to figure it out.

Clearly, Brian was having a great time.  The treasure was in a coffee can buried under the X.

The treasure was poured out on the table and the boys started grabbing!  I made them put it all back and divide it fairly just like any decent pirate would do.  Just a few marbles and glittery things with some candy, but they really enjoyed it.

Cadmir, Jermias, Brian, Sean, and Elil.  We are at the new Western Dairies.  For those of you who have been there in the past, you will not believe how big it is now!

We had a really good time.  We had an adventure!!!

Love you guys!