Name & Purpose Community Quest sends teams into the real world to discover what support services exist in their neighbourhood. It builds teamwork, local knowledge, and confidence talking to adults in the community.
a.k.a. Resource Scavenger Hunt, Info Chase
Age Band / Group Size / Time / Space Ages 8β16 | 8β40 participants in teams of 4β8 | 60β120 minutes | Community streets, public buildings, and a home base
Materials
- One printed scavenger hunt list per team (customised to your community)
- Pens or pencils
- Clipboards (optional but helpful)
- Small prize for the winning team
- Celebration snack for everyone at the end
Quick-Run Card
- Form mixed teams of 4β8; include at least one adult per team if participants are under 13.
- Hand each team a scavenger hunt list.
- Set a clear return time and location.
- Teams head out to find real community information.
- Return, count items, share discoveries.
- Celebrate β everyone learned something real.
Setup & Boundaries
- Walk the route in advance to confirm safety.
- Set clear geographic boundaries (e.g. “stay within a 6-block radius”).
- Give each team a contact number and ensure they carry a charged phone or walkie-talkie.
- Confirm all team members have permission to leave the site.
- Customise the list to your group: swap any item that references harmful or distressing topics for something locally relevant and positive.
How to Play Each team receives the same scavenger hunt list. The list contains items that require teams to visit real community locations and collect real information β a brochure, a schedule, an application form, a staff name, or a key fact. Teams plan their route, split tasks, and move efficiently through the neighbourhood. When they return by the deadline, teams count and share what they gathered. The facilitator tallies results. All teams share their most surprising find with the whole group.
I-OPt Roles Offer every team member a simultaneous contribution:
- Navigator β plans the route and keeps the team on time.
- Recorder β writes down information and tracks items found.
- Spokesperson β talks to community members and asks questions.
- Supporter β keeps the team’s energy up, notices if anyone needs a break. All roles can rotate between stops.
Inclusion Supports
- Plan a route that is fully accessible for participants using mobility aids.
- Allow a “home base researcher” option for participants who cannot travel β they search online or use printed directories while the team is out.
- Pair participants who are shy about speaking with a buddy who can model the first interaction.
- Provide lists in large print if needed.
- Offer a shorter list or fewer required items for groups needing extra time.
Stewardship At the end, each team picks one service from their list and identifies one way to give back to it (e.g. write a thank-you note, share its info with family). 30-second reflection: “Name one community service you had no idea existed before today.”
Consent Pre-brief: “You’ll be talking to real people in the community. You never have to enter a building you feel unsafe in. If anything feels uncomfortable, return to base straight away β no questions asked.” Mid-game check-in: Set a midpoint check-in time via phone or walkie-talkie; confirm all teams are well and on track. Opt-out / re-entry: Any participant may return to base at any time and take on the home base researcher role.
Risks & Mitigation
| Risk | Likelihood | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Team gets lost or separated | Low | Buddy system within teams; shared map; check-in call at midpoint |
| Participant feels unsafe talking to strangers | Medium | Role-play interactions in pre-brief; always go in pairs minimum |
| Team returns late | Low | Set deadline 15 min before actual end time; collect phone numbers |
| List items inappropriate for group | Medium | Facilitator reviews and customises list before activity |
Warm-Up Suggestions
- “Two Truths and a Wish”: each person shares two facts and one thing they wish existed in their community.
- Quick map activity: mark on a large map where each team member lives and what services they already know nearby.
Debrief What? “What was the most surprising place or service you discovered?” So what? “Why does it matter to know what’s available in your community?” Now what? “How could you use one of these services β or tell a friend who needs it β in the next month?”
Cleanup & Reset Collect all lists, pens, and clipboards. File discovered brochures and info sheets in a resource binder for future reference. Update your organisation’s resource directory with anything new.
