Cooperative Living April 2022 - 28

KIDS KORNER
The Thrill of the Hunt
P
Story and artwork by Anne M. Dellinger, Contributing Columnist
A scavenger hunt has always been one of childhood's favorite games
laying it is a whole lot of crazy fun for kids
as they excitedly race around, collecting and
checking off random things from a list of
items, all the while trying to beat the clock!
Sounds easy enough, but, not always. You may
know from experience that some hunts have lists with
very exact objects t fi nd, like a particular coin with a
specific date. Often, riddles must be solved to discover
what objects are to be collected. Also, there may be
special rules to follow such as these: The items cannot
be purchased or some items must be borrowed from
someone. Typically, the hunt organizer offers a
prize for the most " finds " which helps keep players
enthused and on task no matter how difficult the
list requirements.
Have you ever wondered
how this game got its name?
In the animal kingdom, scavengers
are the food web critters that are always
seeking and consuming decaying matter! Now
why would the name of this fun game be linked
to animals that clean up stinky, dead things?
Most likely it's because the game is played like the
actual activity of scavenging, which is all about
searching, rummaging and collecting. And, in nature,
a true scavenger keeps on " poking around " until it
finds the " yucky " reward i
Th t same persistence
scaveng
the " yucky " reward it is hunting.
the
re
ard it is hunting.
inin an organized scavenger hunt with friends, so ... if
you learn to search with th
ofa vullture, coyote or a ra
to
of
top winner! (Minus the dead stuff, ofcourse)!
nne
tu e, coyot or
nu th
READY TO GO ON A HUNT?
With Earth Day being celebrated soon, April 22, it
would be an ideal time to demonstrate your concern
and support for your favorite planet by organizing a
Recyclable Scavenger Hunt.
Bring a bunch ofyour adventuresome friends
together and establish a few rules/guidelines about
when and where the hunt will take place, the amount
oftime allowed, what is invalid or off-limits,
d
etc. As a group, begin forming a checklist of
at
ch
recyclable litter and rubbish that is often
carelessly tossed out into the natural world.
26 ● Cooperative Living ● April 2022
ke place, the amount
o
That same persistence is needed when participating
to search with the determination and drive
raccoon, you'll probably be a
Share the checklist with parents and ask them to
help transport the collected items to recycling bins at
the hunt's end. Then, grab trash bags and gloves for
gathering. Think like a raccoon and start scavenging!
Th ultimate prize will be a neat, beautiful
community, so that makes everyone a winner.
Th re is certainly no shortage of ideas for
planning a scavenger hunt, as an online search will
prove. Even though the game may be considered
a throw-back activity just for kids, there are countless,
creative ways to keep the thrill of the hunt fresh,
modern and appealing to all age groups.
Some hunt themes are conveniently and cleverly
packaged. With easy-to-understand instructions and
no pre-planning required, these " grab and go " games
are ready to play at the park, beach or backyard.
Virtual hunts are very popular, especially with those
who like to take selfies posing in front of different
required objects from a list and then posting them on
Instagram/Facebook.
Digital hunts for adults provide motivating
challenges that required participants to visit local
merchants t fi nd and input specific information
in their phones.
LET YOUR IMAGINATION RUN WILD!
The best thing about planning a scavenger hunt
is that there are no hard and fast rules to follow.
This game can take place in any season, either indoors
or outside. It can last an hour or a month and it can
happen during the ligight ofday or ev
of night.
ha
en ur
th
Imagine the possibilities on th
Nighttime Scavenger Hunt
I
You
isten
constellations, shooting star, scr
howling cat, moon phase, etc.
ight,
In a crowd ofpeople, search
w
cr wd of
appen during the light ofday or even the dark
ht of ay or even the dark
th
dar
magine the possibilities on these hunt adventures:
You could look (and listen) for: hooting owl,
street light, airplane, firetruck siren, spider web,
screeching bats,
People-Watching Scavenger Hunt
In
is wearin fl ip-flops/is looking at his
or her phone/is wearing pajamas, etc.
co-opliving.com
ople, search for someone
who is wearing glasses/has a mustache/
ho is wearing glasses/has a mustache/
K I D S ! C L I P A ND K E E P YOUR K I D S KORN E R C O LUMN S I N
OUR KIDS
ORNER COLUMNS IN A THREE-RING BINDER AND YOU'LL HAVE A NOTEBOOK CHOCK FULL OF FUN IDEAS AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE FUTURE!
T HR E E - R I NG B I ND E R A ND
OU ' L L H A V E
NO T E B OOK C HO C K F U L L O F F UN I D E A S A ND A C T I V I T I E S F OR T H E F U T UR E !

http://www.co-opliving.com

Cooperative Living April 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Cooperative Living April 2022