Scavenger Hunt
Learning Objectives
Working in teams, preteens solve clues and then hunt for pieces of a puzzle that, when combined,
complete an immunization message (or poster). The message (or poster) reinforces the importance of
vaccines for 11- and 12-year olds.
Teacher Instructions
You can make the scavenger hunt as simple or elaborate as you like. It really depends on your resources
and enthusiasm. These guidelines provide the basics.
A scavenger hunt can be held in a variety of venues at school or offsite, although it works best if the
venue is large like a shopping mall, playground, or park, so you can “hide” clues and the preteens are
challenged to “hunt for” them without tripping over each other.
Activity Length
Allow about 1 hour, not including prep time and any clean-up.
Teacher Instructions
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Have teams sign in, and give them name tags and any necessary materials like the clue sheet (in a
sealed envelope), mall map, pens, etc. If you’re doing any other pre-event activities, such as taking
team photos, or checking immunization cards, you can do it at this time.
Meanwhile, have someone tape up the envelopes with puzzle pieces (if you’re using this method) at
the pre-designated spots, or send the volunteers with puzzle pieces they’ll hand out at their
designated spots (if you’re using this method).
Once all the teams are signed in, gather them around and review the rules and clarify any questions.
 Teams must work together and stay together.
 Work together to figure out the clues. Clues lead to specific sites where they’ll get a piece of
the final message (or poster). Teams can start with any clue, but they need to get all of them.
 Encourage teams to select one person to be responsible for the clue sheet, and another to
hold the pieces.
 Teams need to collect all (X) clues and then return to the starting point to put the message
(or poster) together. The first team to finish wins.
 Remind them that adult volunteers can help work out clues but cannot give away answers.
 (Remind the teams not to run and to be respectful, especially if you’re in a public place like a
mall.)
Tell the teams to open their envelope, review their clue sheets, and then go hunt for their clues!
While teams are solving clues and collecting their pieces…
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Set out any materials the teams will need when they come back. For example, if teams are piecing
together pieces of a poster, they’ll need table or floor space, tape or glue sticks, and poster paper.
Note: it works best if an adult directs the teams to a designated work space as they return. It’s also
helpful if each designated space has all the materials the team will need.
Once all the teams complete the scavenger hunt and piece the message (or poster) together,
congratulate everyone and remind them why we celebrate Preteen Vaccine Week.
Hand out awards and certificates.
(Remember to thank your volunteers and everyone who donated materials, awards and supplies!)
Scavenger Hunt
To do starting at least two to three months before the event…
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Secure a location. Locations such as shopping malls may require special logistics or security
arrangements.
Decide how many teams your volunteers and venue can “handle.” For example, don’t open the
contest to 25 teams of 4 kids each if your space will only hold 30 people.
Start recruiting volunteers. There are lots of things volunteers can do, especially before the actual
event.
Develop and distribute parent permission forms, registration forms, etc., if necessary.
Develop and distribute promotion materials, if necessary.
Promote the event! Think about school announcements, teams and clubs, PTA, etc.
Solicit/gather prizes. If possible, choose prizes that can be awarded to teams. Also consider offering
prizes to 2nd and 3rd place teams, and certificates for all participants.
Develop the clues based on your venue. For example, if your scavenger hunt will be in the mall, your
clue for the Disney Store might be “Ariel and Belle live here.”
To do starting a week or two before the event…
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Confirm the location
Collect parent permission slips and registration forms
Confirm your volunteers and decide what you’ll need them to do
Develop the final message (or poster) and make enough copies for the teams
Finalize and copy the clue sheet
Continue to promote the event, if necessary
Continue to ask for donations and awards, if necessary
Organize materials and supplies (signs, banners, tape, poster paper, clue sheets, pens, camera, etc.)
Print certificates, if necessary
Organize and wrap awards
To do the day of the event…
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Assign volunteers (registration, photos, hall monitors, etc.)
Set up signs and banners
Set up registration area
Take a deep breath and have fun!
Tips and Hints
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Decide if the teams will gather pieces for an immunization message (e.g. Kids our age need a
preteen doctor’s visit and immunizations like Tdap, meningitis and HPV vaccines to help us stay
healthy...”) or pieces of a big poster (you can cut up old immunization posters!). Make sure you cut
the same number of pieces as you have clues. And then make sure all the pieces are the same at
each clue spot.
Create clues that are challenging, but straightforward enough so that 11- and 12-year olds can figure
them out. For example, if your scavenger hunt is in a mall and you want the team to go to the Disney
Scavenger Hunt
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Store, your clue might be “Ariel and Belle live here.” If you’re holding the scavenger hunt at
the park and you want the team to go to the water fountain, your clue might be “thirst
quencher.”
Depending on the venue, you can hang envelopes with puzzle pieces (or poster pieces) at
each site, or assign a volunteer to each site to hand them out.
Teams should have no more than 4 kids.
Encourage teams to register before the event so you know how many kids to expect and how
many materials you’ll need.
Encourage teams to choose an immunization-related name.
Give the kids name tags, especially if you’re holding the scavenger hunt in a public place like
a mall. It’s easier to spot the kids participating in your event.
Encourage your volunteers to wear name tags, too.
Show solidarity by asking the volunteers to wear your Coalition shirt or a theme color.
Consider awards that teams can use such as pizza parties, miniature golf passes, movie
passes, roller rink passes, etc. Don’t hesitate to ask local businesses for donations, and
remember to thank them and acknowledge them in your Coalition newsletter.