Boondoggle
The Scavenger Hunt Redefined
By Allison Rak
Published by Boondoggle at Smashwords
Copyright 2003 Boondoggle
Revised edition Copyright 2006
Smashwords Edition License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
All rights reserved. The following are trademarks of Boondoggle: BOONDOGGLE, THE SCAVENGER HUNT REDEFINED, FACTOID CREATOR and the BOONDOGGLE logo. All other trademarks or logos not owned by Boondoggle that appear in the guidebook are the property of their respective owners, and our use of such trademarks or logos, or of any individual’s name or image, does not imply or indicate any approval, endorsement, or sponsorship by any such third parties. We fill the Boondoggle guidebook with a variety of ideas and suggestions. It’s up to you to play it smart, use caution and have a great time.
This book is available in print at most online retailers.
Table of Contents
Step Two: Select Your Clue Destinations
Step Three: Define Your Course
Step Five: Make Your Loot List
Step Six: Select Your Factoids
Step Seven: Prepare Your Team Cards
Step Eight: Assemble Your Team Bags
Step Nine: Prepare Your Prizes
Appendix: Sample Boondoggle, Master Sheet & More
This Guidebook is designed to walk you through the process of planning a unique group event: a Boondoggle. You will need a few things along the way. Below is a list based on an event for 20 people (4 teams of 5 people). For events of more or less than 20 people, you can adjust the quantities accordingly. Bear in mind that some quantities are based on the number of participants, while others are based on the number of teams.
- 20 Invitations (paper, email and web invitations all work well.)
- 32 5x7 index cards
- 20 for Clue Cards (5 per team)
- 4 for Team Cards
- 4 for Factoid Lists
- 4 for Loot Lists
- 20 envelopes for the 5x7 Clue Cards(5 each of 4 colors* is best, though not required)
- 4 Team Bags* (you can use anything from handled gift bags to grocery sacks)
- 4 Pens or Pencils
- 20 Team Stickers -- 5 each of 4 colors* (optional)
- 4 local maps (optional)
- 5 Prizes (optional)
Details about each of these items will be provided throughout the Guidebook. While it will be helpful to have your supplies ready ahead of time, your best bet is to read through the guidebook first, then gather your supplies, and then begin to put your Boondoggle together.
* You will assign each time its own color. You can simply mark items with a team color, or you may purchase supplies according to team colors. (For example, buy four different colors of team bags, the same four colors of envelopes, etc.)
You and your guests are about to have a fabulous adventure.
A Boondoggle is a journey. It's a challenging team event that rewards resourcefulness, ingenuity and intelligence. As the Host for this event, you are the person who will make it all happen!
This guidebook provides the rough draft of your Boondoggle, but you are the architect, customizing the game to your location and your guests’ interests. By choosing your clues and destinations you can make the Boondoggle athletic, cerebral, elegant or silly. You get to decide, because it's YOUR Boondoggle!
Once you've planned the event, sit back and enjoy as your guests rise to the Boondoggle challenge.
This guide tells you everything you need to know and will show you exactly what to do. There’s even a sample Boondoggle in the appendix that you can use for clarification and inspiration.
Just read the guide carefully and complete the steps in order. The result will be a fabulous Boondoggle that your guests will talk about for years to come.
Enjoy!
A Boondoggle is a team event involving three parts:
1. A Course that you design for teams to follow by solving clues that lead to specific destinations.
2. Loot that teams gather along the Course. From state quarters to temporary tattoos (worn on the team members, of course), use this kit to choose the Loot that's perfect for your friends.
3. Factoids that teams answer. You select the questions that are best suited to your Boondoggle, inventing some of your own if you'd like.
The object for each team is to complete the Course as quickly as they can, gathering as much Loot and answering as many Factoids as possible along the way.
What makes a Boondoggle so much fun is that it demands creativity, strategy and resourcefulness. Teams work together to meet each challenge, because while team leaders may emerge, the best Boondoggle teams count on everyone to participate.
As the Host, you have a variety of opportunities to customize your Boondoggle to make it perfect for your group. This book makes it easy.
The rules are simple.
1. Teams may use any available resource to complete their tasks – friends, professionals, government officials, computers…even complete strangers. Anyone or anything is fair game.
2. Teams may not interfere with other teams – no moving clues, etc. If they do, they forfeit the game.
3. An entire team must be present and submit its team bag before the return time is recorded.
The team with the most points wins. There are three ways to earn points:
1. Complete the Course: the first team to finish earns 200 points, second place gets 180, third gets 160, and fourth gets 140.
2. Find Loot: each piece of Loot retrieved is worth 10 points.
3. Answer Factoids: each correct answer is worth 10 points.
Teams can forfeit points by choosing not to find a difficult piece of Loot or skipping a Factoid, but teams must complete the entire Course to be eligible to win.
If a team gets stuck, they can call Headquarters (i.e. you) for a hint, but this will cost them 10 points.
How many people should I invite?
This guidebook is based on an event for 20 people (four teams
of five people). While you don’t need 20 people to have a
successful Boondoggle, you should have at least two teams of three
people each (six people total). It’s easy to create a Boondoggle
for a larger group as well. To do so, simply create more teams.
How long does it take for me to
plan my Boondoggle?
It usually takes about two hours but it
may take longer, depending on how elaborate and creative you choose
to be.
Is a Boondoggle completed on foot
or in cars?
That's up to you. Boondoggles can use any mode of
transportation – cars, taxis, bikes, trains or feet. If your
friends are particularly athletic, have them swim! Just plan a Course
that’s appropriate. i.e. Boondoggles that are on foot should be
significantly shorter than those where the participants use cars.
How long does a Boondoggle last?
It will depend on the distance between destinations and the
difficulty of the clues you create, but two hours is a good estimate,
plus time for the post-Boondoggle gathering. You can create a shorter
Boondoggle by reducing the number of Course destinations, Factoids
and Loot. You may also require everyone to return by a specific time.
How old should participants be?
Boondoggles can be customized for participants of any age.
They have been used for birthday parties for kids as well as adults,
corporate team-building events, youth group outings, and community
fundraisers. Teams can be people of the same age, or mixed, including
family teams. This guide lets you customize your Boondoggle your
group’s age, interest and ability.