HOW THE GAME IS PLAYED

1. How does the scavenger hunt work?  What are we looking for?
For the most part you are searching for answers to tricky and humorous questions about the Peak of Christmas and activities, partners and information featured on-site … No previous knowledge of a hunt location is necessary, but you will discover a lot of cool things and fascinating facts.  You hunt in a team of two to five people.  Each person receives a set of clues and questions.  You have 90 minutes to answer as many questions as possible.  You earn points for each correct answer, and the team with the most points wins!

Activities may also include taking photos, collecting the odd item, … Be ready for a battling of the wits and a lot of laughter!

2. Is this a race?  Will a bunch of whippersnappers outrun me?
The hunts are not designed as races, and we do not encourage people to run.  The hunts are designed to be more a test of your wits and your teamwork, not a test of physical fitness.   There is a deadline, though! 

3. Seeing as the race is at Grouse, is physical endurance needed for the hunt?
We promise you will not be sent to ski down the mountain, climb the grind, or snowshoe to collect some clue.  The hunt is designed around the Peak of Christmas activities and is meant for everyone over the age of 7.

4. Where is the meeting place?
Grouse Mountain: At the Peak
Check-in Station in the Spirit Gallery (also where Parade of Trees is located)
Follow the signs once you get off the gondola
12:00 pm to 8:30 pm (last hunt check-in time is at 7:00 pm)

5. What time do I have to be at the meeting place?
The hunt opportunity runs from 12:00pm to 8:30pm.  You can arrive anytime between those hours, however note that 7:00 pm is the latest time to start a hunt if you would like the full 90 minutes to submit your answers and compete for awards and prizes. 

6. How long does the hunt last?
Actual hunting time is 90 minutes.  Add another 30 to 40 minutes for checking in, getting your materials, submitting your results, etc.  Better yet, make a day of it and enjoy the other Peak of Christmas and Grouse activities (skiing, snowshoeing, skating, pictures with Santa, theatre), food and entertainment.

7. How big or small can my team be?
The hunt is played on teams of two to five people.  Teams must stick together.  You can have a team larger than five people, but you won’t be eligible to win the hunt, because your team will have an unfair advantage.  Also, teams larger than five usually don’t have as much fun or do as well.  If you are a larger group we recommend you break up into various teams and all start at the same time for added fun and competition.  There are also various food features we can offer to groups of more than 20 – brunch, fondue fun…

Prizes are available for 3 categories (see prize opportunities below) – you are not able to compete on two different teams:
Duo team
Family team
Corporate or Friends team

We do not let people hunt solo.  If you don’t have a team, we can try and help you match up with others on-site.  A way to meet new people – we’ll do our best to recruit someone!

8. Can I compete more than once or on more than one team
We will be recording people’s names and contact information to ensure people are not competing multiple times as this may give them an unfair advantage.  Collecting this information will also allow us to contact prize  winners.  All information will ensure confidentiality and follow privacy legislation.   We guarantee that the information will not be shared beyond SOS Children’s Village (the hunt organizers), without your permission.

Our Privacy Policy:  SOS Children’s Village BC respects your privacy.  We protect your personal information and adhere to all legislative requirements with respect to protecting privacy.  We do not rent, sell or trade our mailing lists.  The information you provide will be used to deliver services and to keep you informed and up-to-date on the activities of SOS BC, including programs, services, special events, funding needs, opportunities to volunteer or to give, open houses and more through periodic contacts.  If at any time you wish to be removed from any of these contacts simply contact our Privacy Officer by phone 604-582-2990 or via email office@sosbc.org we will gladly accommodate your request.

9. Is the scavenger hunt the same each day and for each category?
No, the scavenger hunt will have variations and you will never know what questions you will receive on any particular day.

10. When do I find out if I am a winner?
We will track results from December 1st to December 23rd and notify winners Christmas week.  Think of it as a Christmas bonus.  All winners will also be posted on the website and in the Vancouver Sun January 4th, 2008.

11. What are the prizes?
Outside the fun of participating, GREAT prizes are available for 3 categories (duo team prizing, family team, corporate or friends team) thanks to a variety of corporate partners.  Currently they are being finalized but stay tuned for this information.

12. Can I bring kids to an adult hunt?
Yes, but please keep in mind that the adult hunts are designed for adults, and younger kids may find the questions too hard or feel that there is too much walking.  Also, there is no discount for children at an adult hunt.  We urge you instead to bring kids to participate in the family hunt, which is specifically designed for kids from 7 to 13 and adults to do together.

13. Can adults attend family hunts without bringing kids?
Sorry, no.  that’s not fair to the teams with kids on them. 

14. What ages are recommended for family hunts?  What about age size or younger?
Family hunts are designed for ages seven and up.  Younger children might find a hunt too long, too difficult and too exhausting.  Plus reading skills help increase a child’s enjoyment of the hunt clues and the search for answers.  That said, if you would like to bring along a child that is too young to do the hunt, be our guest: you do not need to buy a hunt ticket. 

15. Must an adult accompany kids on a family hunt? 
On family hunts, there must be at least one adult per team. 

COSTS, BUYING TICKETS & ABOUT REFUNDS

16. Must I buy tickets in advance?
No.  Just check in on top of Grouse Mountain in the Spirit Gallery between 12:00 pm and 7:00 pm daily from December 1st to December 23rd – pay your $5/person – receive instructions and scavenger guide - and start hunting.  Hunts run until 8:30 pm, and thus 7:00 pm is the latest check-in.  Note that you are responsible for you Grouse tram costs as well.

17. How do I buy tickets?
Just check in on top of Grouse Mountain in the Spirit Gallery between 12:00 pm and 7:00 pm daily from December 1st to December 23rd – pay your $5/person – receive instructions and scavenger guide - and start hunting.  Hunts run until 8:30 pm, and thus 7:00 pm is the latest check-in.

18. What is the cost of tickets?
The Grouse tram costs are the responsibility of any team or individual coming up to enjoy the various activities at the Peak.  To participate in the organized scavenger hunt and compete for great prizes, it is $5/person to participate in the hunt.  All proceeds go to SOS Children’s Village BC - an organization providing homes and support to foster children to enhance their stability. 

19. Is there a family rate?
No – based on a relatively low per person cost, the ease of having one price for all is in place.

20. Are there any refunds if we don’t complete the hunt?
No – sorry.  Consider these tickets to be the same as theater tickets or sports event tickets:  all sales are final.  With our commitment to have staff and volunteers up at Grouse for 3 weeks and our costs related to printing and prizing, we must set a firm policy.  Thus, no refunds!

21. Can I get a discount if I bring a large group?
Sorry, but no.  The hunts are already discounted to the lowest rate we can sustain.   We do however have the ability to set you up with Grouse for special food offerings with more than 20 people – whether that be brunch, an evening fondue pre or post the scavenger hunt, etc.

WHY & HOW TO INITIATE A CORPORATE CHALLENGE
CHALLENGE OTHER COMPANIES YOU KNOW, COMPETITORS, INTERNAL DEPARTMENTS THROUGHOUT THE COMPANY…

SOS Children’s Village BC will be welcoming challenges in support of SOS BC, and announcing these challenges through our web, e-promotions and media partners!

22. What does it mean to challenge others in the scavenger hunt?
Firstly, it means you are supporting SOS Children’s Village BC publicly in their quest to improve the quality of life for BC foster children and youth in need.  And you are recognized accordingly.

Secondly, it means you are interested in challenging another company, potential competitors, others you feel should support the cause, internal company departments, or whom ever you like to also step up to the plate.  The challenge is not only one of support to SOS Children’s Village BC, but for bragging rights of who can bring the strongest team of wits to the table in a customized scavenger hunt challenge.

Challenges must be a minimum of $500 per team. 

Sample #1: (Financial & Scavenger Hunt Challenge)
Company X, the leading …, is challenging banks and credits unions to write a cheque for $1,000 per team to SOS Children’s Village BC and compete against 4 “Company X” teams in The Peak Scavenger Hunt on December 7, 2007.  

Sample #2: (Financial & Scavenger Hunt Challenge)
Company X, the …, is challenging all their branch offices to write a cheque for $500 per team to SOS Children’s Village BC and compete against each other in The Peak Scavenger Hunt on December 14, 2007. 

23. What do companies get in return?
All challenges will be recognized and announced through an e-blast campaign, on the SOS BC website, and through direct contact with those that the challenge is being put to.  Challenges over $1,000 will also be announced by the Jack FM community cruiser team and in a minimum of one Vancouver Sun and North Shore News advertisement on the following dates: November 9th, November 23rd, November 30th, December 7th.

The Challenge victors gain serious bragging rights and rewards:

• They will be announced through a press release with anticipated editorial pick-up, potential on air recognition by Jack FM, as well as recognition in a Vancouver Sun ad on January 4th, 2008.
• The winning team will receive a $200 gift certificate to enjoy a meal in Altitudes Restaurant, either following the challenge or at another time – their choice.
• The winning team will receive a plaque presented by SOS Children’s Village BC recognizing them as the “Master of Wits: The Peak Scavenger Hunt 2007”.
• Top 10 scoring teams from all team participants and challenges between December 1st to December 23rd will win prizes – all prizes valued over $10,000.

All those participating in the challenge, whether victors or not will receive:

• Their skyride passes the day of the challenge
• Thank-you gift pack

If the intent is to have a large corporate presence the day of the challenge, with observers as well as participants, and/or an opportunity to participate in other activities, you may also be interested in arranging one of the following: a Ski first tracks and breakfast buffet, Yuletide Christmas lunch buffet or Snowshoe fondue tour package.  Click here for special packages Grouse is offering our corporate challengers...