Archive for the ‘Family’ Category
Thursday, August 30th, 2007Nikki,
The reason I purchased the Treasure Hunt game was for use during our annual family vacation at a beach house in the Charleston SC area. The house we have rented for the week is directly on the beach and I am running a treasure hunt for our family.
Jack Taylor, Florida USA
Thursday, August 9th, 2007I am planning to use the treasure hunt for our annual family reunion July
I have a year to plan all this out.
Thanks,
Elizabeth Toole,
Sunday, July 22nd, 2007We did log on and use the instant treasure game. It was very easy to use and the kids loved it! I did it twice once for the kid party and once for the family party. The first time the group was a bit big, next time I will do two teams so they all have a chance to figure out the clues.
Melinda Ayala, Oregon USA
Saturday, July 14th, 2007Thanks for all the emails and help. I am interested in your help and ideas. Our event is an annual event (which if all goes well I would like to make the scavenger hunt an annual part of it).
The name of our event is called ‘Livin, Lovin, Luau’. It is a luau for Dads and kids ages 0-6 years. We host it at our local YMCA. We are confined to one large gym. My idea was to have all the dad/kid teams who wanted to participate follow a series of clues that would lead them from one station to another throughout the room. Some of the stations or games that we will have are: Play dough station, Coconut Bowling, Crazy Totem Poles, Fish craft, Infant Island (area for small child and infants to explore), coloring station, Photo station (we always take a picture of each child/ren with their dad to take home), Pin the Tail on the fish, Ring toss, Snack area, Fish Flying, Limbo, Shave your dad, Fishing game, Reading area, Pin the Banana on the tree, Hanging Monkeys.
I am sure I can come up with a great hunt. The last item would be at the area where the dad fills out an evaluation of the event and the child gets a special treat bag of goodies. Thanks
Cori Laux, Wisconsin USA
Monday, July 9th, 2007Yes, I’m working on setting up the Treasure Hunt. Have read it through twice and am making lists of things to do and items to buy, and understanding how to begin the game and follow through.
The party will be in Fairview Park (a suburb of Cleveland), Ohio, on Saturday, December 9, 2006 in my home.
The special occasion is the 43rd Annual Donahue Family Party- for immediate family only: parent, 5 children, spouses, and grandchildren. There will be a total of 22 people. The age range is 10 years to 70. There are 7 teenagers, 12 adults, 3 children. The theme of the party is ‘Memories.’ The theme will be played out with old photos, funny family experiences, music and penny candy from the eras of the attendees.
The party consists of cocktails and appetizers, followed by games, dinner, gifts, more games, and sometimes entertainment. Last year we had a juggler/magician. This year I think the Treasure Hunt, Mystery game, and a couple of other games will be enough.
I am still working on clues and challenges. I think I understand how the game works but will email you if I have a problem. Sounds like it will be fun.
Thank you for your email
Julie Donahue, Ohio USA
Saturday, July 7th, 2007I just downloaded the info and skimmed it - will seriously read it all today and start planning my party. I give lots of different types of parties, mostly for my family. We have had our own Survivor and Amazing Race parties, and others.
I plan to have the treasure hunt on Jan 22 for my husband’s 58th birthday. We live in Hawaii - have a 2 acre property at Mokuleia which is on the north shore of Oahu. The age range of my gang is 2-68…a real challenge for team games.
I will be happy to send you details of our hunt, if you wish, once we’ve done it. We have a very competitive and enthusiastic game playing family! Thanks for sharing your expertise with us!
Aloha,
Ibby Jenkins, Hawaii
Monday, July 2nd, 2007The Instant Treasure Hunt was very easy to use and the kids loved it! I did it twice once for the kid’s party and once for the family party. The first time the group was a bit big, next time I will do two teams so they all have a chance to figure out the clues.
Melinda Ayala, Oregon USA
Saturday, June 30th, 2007Nikki ~ Just so you know it was 10 through 14 year olds that we had this for and since there were (4) birthdays in the group of cousins we spent a little more time to make every team a winner.
It was in Granbury, Texas, September. It was birthday celebrations for a set of 10 year old twins, a 13 year old niece and a 14 year old niece. Everyone was there - 8 years old through Grandparent
We combined the Treasure Hunt with a scavenger hunt and skill/speed competition, I have to tell you the kids had a ball. Thanks for everything it worked out great!!!!
Erin Linney, Texas USA
Friday, June 8th, 2007Michigan USA on memorial day weekend.
35 family members get together at our cottage for a fishing tournament and other games, softball, cards, cocktails, boating, tubing, etc.
Age range is 6-70 with about 10 under 13 years of age.
The theme title is the 5th annual Gregor family & friends fishing tournament.
Since the main event of the weekend is the fishing tournament the following day, many of the items in the treasure chest will be fishing related (fishing lures, and other tackle box items and kids fishing games and craft projects.)
Diane Gregor, Michigan USA
Tuesday, May 29th, 2007I had no problems downloading ‘the treasure!’ And I’d be glad to share my plans, as well as a final review, after the event. I’m currently printing out the rest of the document (of course, I ran out of paper this week, so it is a staged process!) and starting to plan my hunt, using your ideas and theme to construct this year’s treasure hunt event.
Here’s the story — a tale of two families. Rachel and I were neighbors while our children were young (we each had 4 kids). Although our families are mostly grown up now, we are still best of friends, as are our children that were essentially raised together. Once a year, we ALL go on a 4 day tent camping trip together. This has become a gathering of 30 people.
Adults, young adults, teenagers, elementary children, and now a couple of toddlers! Every few years when my kids were young, I’d do neighborhood treasure hunts or scanvenger hunts for their birthday parties. Then, for the kids on our annual camping trip I’d do some sort of hunt.
Last year, no hunt. I ran out of ideas. It turned out, the kids were disappointed. So I started searching the web and libraries early this year for ideas to beg, borrow, steal, or buy! And I found you!
* This year, Fr. Hennepin State Park, Isle, MN. * Every year, we assign a new committee of 2 to decide * where next years camping trip will be. * We are Minnesotans, so it is always in MN, WI.
* July 20 - 24. The actual hunt will depend on the weather * and scouting out the campground locations that I can use.
2 - 62 age range. But, while I debated on whether it would be better to set up separate hunts for elementary, teen, adults — or maybe build the teams with members of each age group; whatever I do, I need to take the teen’s competitiveness into account. THEY WANT TO WIN!
* This year, I’m going to go with your Pirate theme. * I appreciate very much that you offered to help with questions. * But, your ideas that you published will keep me going * for awhile yet. * However, if I get a brainstorm wonderful idea, * I’ll let you know.
* Thanks, again!
Eileen Blackwood, Minnesota USA
Monday, May 28th, 2007Hi Nikki: I am planning a hunt for my fiance for his 51st birthday. We are having family (ages6+- 73) and of course his contemporaries. We should total about 40 people. He is a man with everything so when friends were telling us of cache hunts I got inspired and started my search. We live in a 15,000 sq foot home on a mountain top in Huntsville AL so many places to hide things. His birthday is in July right after our wedding which is two days earlier so obviously lots on my plate. I am sure I will have many questions and am grateful for this contact with you-very kind. Warmest Regards,
Cathleen Jackson, Alabama USA
Sunday, May 27th, 2007Dear Nikki,
I received the treasure hunt planner without a problem. I am planning a treasure hunt for the July 4th weekend. My family along with 7 other families with kids are going camping in upstate NY. We have been doing this for a few years now. The kids range in age from 3-15. Last year I planned treasure hunt for them where one clue led to the next clue and so on until the last clue directed the kids to the treasure. The kids loved it so much that they asked for another treasure hunt this year. This year I wanted to make it a little different. I wanted to have the kids do an activity at each station where they would get a clue so your ideas have really helped.
I have changed a few ideas. I want all the kids to work together and not make teams because I don’t want it to become a competition. I know 14 kids is a lot to work together but I thought I would give it a try. For example, instead of mummy wrapping one team member I am having each kid mummy wrap another kids arm so everyone will have to be wrapped to move one to another station. I will let you know how it all works out.
Debra Meyers, New York USA
Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007Nikki
I have read thru the instructions. I am planning to use the treasure hunt for our 31st family reunion in Pennsylvania at my nephew’s 200 acre farm. The theme for this year is the Pirates Treasure Map. There will be approximately 100 people of all ages. 4 generations. This is a 3 day event with a Friday morning golf tournament for the guys and then fireworks around a big bonfire and tent with snacks on Friday night. Saturday is a big feast with a roasted pig and all the trimmings starting at noon. After the feast we have picture taking and then start the treasure hunt. At nite we will have Karaoke . Sunday am we finish up the snacks.
We are following the guidelines pretty much as you have described in your book. We will bury and old army ammunition box and have a bottle of rum with a family label on it as one of the treasures. Won’t draw the map until I get to Pennsylvania.
It’s going to be awesome!
Mike Brenchak, North Carolina USA
Wednesday, May 16th, 2007Hi Nikki — I’m finally getting around to answering your emails! We finally completed our Treasure Hunt last week! We had so much fun — thank you for the great kick-start!!!
I ordered your Treasure Hunt software package way back in February.
Your software was just what I needed to get started, get me thinking about what I wanted to do — and it was GREAT fun! Everyone, from kids to adults, had a great time! For me, it was like Christmas, having chosen wonderful presents for all — and watching everyone Ooooh and Aaaah. My participants had a ball! Of course, now that everyone had so much fun, next year I have to come up with a game for EVERYONE — the grownups want to play, too!!!
Ah, the challenge!
Here’s what I did with your ideas:
I used your ideas for the 6 teams and 6 ports — to avoid them running into each other. However, since I knew I’d be running the treasure hunt during out group camping trip (4 families, 26 people), I had to wait until we got to this year’s campground to set it up. Didn’t know where I’d bury the treasure or what the site was like until I got there!
I had six adults manning the six ‘ports’ of call… and four teams. I paired the two teenagers with younger same-sex kids (girls and boys ages 7 - 10)plus a teen = (2 teams). A third team was the moms and ‘little ones’ under age 2, and the fourth team was the dads and little guys (two boys age 4).
We had the ‘group campsite’ for 40+ people, so we had our six stations spread out throughout the campsite, in the woods, and on the trail leading to our campsite.
At each location, each young pirate could earn a doubloon by completing the task. After each trial, they had to bring their doubloons to the Master of Arms to buy a piece of the puzzle for their team. After collecting all six pieces of the puzzle — they then had to use the puzzle to find the treasure map. Once they found the treasure map, they had to use the map to search for the buried treasure.
I made several copies of the treasure map, so as each team completed their puzzle, they could find the parchment map and begin the search for the treasure. You should have seen them combing through the woods! (I made parchment maps ahead of time from wrinkled, coffee stained paper — then used burgundy marker to draw on the map once we were in the campsite and I knew where the treasure was — I had one of my sons pace out the path to the
treasure.)
I worked it out so that each group could search for the treasure, but the team that found it had first pick of the treasure. The ‘treasure’ was a box of gifts from the dollar store. After the first team picked over the treasure, the rest of the teams chose their treasure, in youngest to oldest order.
This is what we did:
Pirate Beach — each young pirate had to decorate a pirate head-scarf to wear and create a team Pirate flag to carry on their journey.
Doubloon Inn — Learn to tie a pirate’s ship knot — all pirates need to know how to tie ship’s knots. We had the younger children learn to tie a square knot, and the older children learned to tie a bowline. Each child received an 8 ft. length of rope to learn their knots, and wear as a pirate belt. Their ropes went with them everywhere!!!
Gold Digger’s Island — The ‘logic’ island. (The captain needs a pirate crew that can think!) Sudoku puzzle for the older kids (4 and 6 square for kids, 9 square for adults, 25 piece jigsaw puzzle for non-number kids.) This was the log-jam station. Too hard for most — I’ll change it next time I do this.
Five Mile Lookout — I had 4 boxes sealed with one of the puzzle-pieces inside. Each box was tied up in 100′ of rope knots… they had to really work to untie the knots to get into each box! My husband and son spent an evening tying up these boxes!
Smuggler’s Cove — this is where they had to learn to walk the pirate ship’s rope rigging for the sails. Rope stretched out on the ground, the young pirate’s must walk the rigging looking through the wrong end of binoculars.
A great favorite!
Hideaway Harbor — Set up two rope swings (age appropriate). The young pirates in training needed to learn how to run and jump with a rope swing and land on the King’s treasure ship (at target on the ground) — ready to do battle for treasure! (Also a great favorite.)
I used the gold foil wrapped chocolates for doubloons, and although I had expected (and built) the game for three teams, I ended up with four teams.
This meant that the teams had to negotiate (with doubloons) near the end of the game to form a melded team with enough pieces of the puzzle to find the treasure map.
We had great fun!
Eileen Blackwood, Minnesota USA
Friday, May 11th, 2007THANK YOU, NIKKI! We had our family Treasure Hunt this weekend as part of a birthday celebration. 12 of us in all. We had so much fun!!! I couldn?t have pulled this off without you. Big success. I highly recommend this.
Linda Lyle, California USA
Monday, May 7th, 2007Hi Nikki,
Thank you for your email!
I am looking forward to getting started planning our treasure hunt.
For the week of The 4th of July, I am having 25 close family members come to town…so this treasure hunt will be a fun event. The family members range in ages from 5-80; however, about 1/2 are kids and 1/2 are adults.
We have a small yard, big community park and lake nearby.
Thanks a million!!
Susan Robinson, North Carolina USA
Friday, April 20th, 2007Hi Nikki, The treasure hunt that we conducted went excellent. Everything went fantastic, my whole family had a great time whether they participated or not, it was great to see the whole family, young and old, get involved to play, laugh, and have a great time! Thanks!
Kristen Williams, North Carolina USA
Thursday, April 19th, 2007Hi Nikki,
our birthday scavenger hunt was a GREAT success. Your material gave me lots to choose from and I was grateful. I used the treasure map for the invitations and rolled them up to hand out. The list was on the treasure map and it was 8 items to look for or info to find and 8 were photos to take to make memories & proof of it getting done. It was a teen girl team against teen guy team and the playing field was the city of Wichita, KS so they had a certain time to be back complete or not and the one with the most done was the winner. They all came back with wonderful stories and had lots of fun. I learned though that the guy against girl wasn’t the best cause the guys were too COOL to do some of the list, but the things they did they had FUN! Whereas if they had mixed teams the girls would have persuaded them into doing everything.
While planning this double birthday party it has prompted other ideas one for our leadership Christmas party at church promoting unity & working together to accomplish a task.
Also I have talked with our the coordinator who is up for the idea of a scavenger hunt during next summer’s Family Reunion. Should be loads of fun.
Thanks for the great info! I am going to try to send a photo let me know if it makes it.
Dena Hudson, Kansas USA
Wednesday, March 28th, 2007We modified the treasure hunt to fit our needs, and it was a great success.
Parents chaperoned the children in the campground so it was a nice family event. The making of the flags was a big hit. Also using the binoculars with the plank was a huge hit. Thanks again,
Marla Mazur, California USA
Sunday, March 18th, 2007Hi Nikki:
I am planning a hunt for my fianc? for his 51st birthday. We are having family (ages6+- 73) and of course his contemporaries. We should total about 40 people. He is a man with everything so when friends were telling us of cache hunts I got inspired and started my search. We live in a 15,000 sq foot home on a mountain top in Huntsville AL so many places to hide things.
His birthday is in July right after our wedding which is two days earlier so obviously lots on my plate.
I am sure I will have many questions and am grateful for this contact with you-very kind.
Warmest Regards,
Cathleen Jackson, Alabama USA
Saturday, March 17th, 2007Hi Nikki,
I haven’t been through the book completely, but I will let you know about my ‘party’. Every year, we rent a house with friends for a week at a time with our families. This year we will be in Lake George, NY in the third week of August. There will be seven adults and seven children (from 6 yrs old to 10 years old).
Since I am not familiar with the house or the area, I believe it will be difficult for me to completely plan the event prior to being there. I also had not thought about having players set up at different stations to ensure that the puzzle / code is solved. I had thought that I might have them all be timed to see who could solve it the fastest for the win.
I thought I would have a chest with a combination lock on it that each team would have to try to find the combination at different points on the lake so that it wouldn’t be a mystery where the treasure was but a contest to open the treasure the quickest. I will read your book and get back to you within a couple of weeks.
Thanks for your concern and emails!
Gene Shear, New York USA
Friday, March 2nd, 2007I am in Montreal, NC, USA planning a birthday party for my grandson and his friends ages 10-12, though some younger brothers and sisters and parents will probably join in. I am the grandmother writing on the grandfathers e-mail. We live on the side of a mountain with steep slopes, lots of stone steps, a creek, a large goldfish pond and lots of good places to hide things. The party is an annual occasion with most of the children running wild, chasing each other, in what appears to an adult to be an aimless fashion. A few stay inside quietly playing board games. So…
this year the treasure hunt seems like a good idea and maybe all will engaged. I think they are definitely old enough! The party is scheduled for Sunday, June 5. I like the fact that you are interested in feed back and so enthusiastic about what you do! Sincerely,
Gale Hussey, North Carolina USA
Saturday, February 17th, 2007Hi Nikki,
I an a 66 years old grand mother of six grandsons! Every year for Easter I prepare a treasure hunt for them with a special theme : Dinosaurs, Harry Potter, Captain Nemo etc… But this year I did not have any idea!! That is the reason why I look for your help!
This year the family will be reunited in Toulouse (France) for Easter. The treasure hunt will take place at a very nice forest near by.
The children are : 14, 12 X 2, 10, 6 and 4 years old !!
Two live in Japan, Two in Germany et two in France… My husband is Italian and I am French and we live in Switzerland. But we do speak English when we are all together!!
The Treasure Hunt game is exactly what I was looking for.
Have a happy Easter too !
Michele Cohen, Switzerland
Friday, February 16th, 2007Hi Nikki,
I am working on putting together this treasure hunt. Our party is a family Memorial Day weekend party. It is held lakeside in New Hampshire, USA.
The party is this Sunday afternoon. The age range of the kids playing the game is 4 years to 14 years old. I am trying to make the tasks at each station easy enough for all to be involved. I like the mummy task and think all the kids will have fun with that one. I plan on burying the treasure chest on our beach; I can’t wait for this part the kids should really enjoy it.
Thanks for your help
Karen Hall, New Hampshire USA
Friday, January 26th, 2007Hi Nikki,
I am currently planning a Staff (family) barbecue for this weekend. It is being held at a park site with a lake in Hamilton, Ontario Canada. The age of the guests range from 3 to 65.
Thanks for the help,
Jane Jones, Ontario Canada