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Scavenger hunt - it's not strictly business
By: CHRIS
MACHADO
07/14/2004
RHODE ISLAND - Looking for a way to
improve communication among employees or improve time
management? Well, how about a day trip around Rhode
Island? The second annual Ultimate Rhode Island Scavenger
Hunt will be held on Monday, August 9 from noon to 5
pm. Equity Concepts, a mortgage company based in Cranston,
decided to start the scavenger hunt last year as a way to
combine a team-building effort with a celebration of the rich
culture of Rhode Island and a desire to give something back to
the local community by supporting local charities. "We try
and do a lot for charity," said company spokesperson Ed
Garcia. "This is our biggest fundraiser of the year." The
first Ultimate Rhode Island Scavenger Hunt raised $5,000 for
such charities as Hasbro Children's Hospital, Make-A-Wish and
the Tomorrow Fund. "We did so well last year, we wanted to
make it bigger," said Garcia. Last year, 100 employees from
Equity Concepts took part in the hunt. This year Garcia
said 15 companies are on board and he is hoping that 15 more
businesses from around the state will sponsor a team to take
part in the hunt. "In our company there are several
different departments," said Garcia. "Every team is mixed with
people from different departments. So it's like, 'Hey I never
met you before, but we're going to be together all day so
let's have a good time.'" The hunt itself will see teams of
seven ride around in limousines and scour the state in search
of team challenges that focus on cultural and historical
aspects of Rhode Island. This year the scavenger hunt will
begin at Harbourside Lobstermania, one of the sponsors,
located in East Greenwich. The teams will be given a list
of 100 challenges and a camera, as they are about to leave the
Harbourside. Teams must take pictures after completing
every challenge. Some of the challenges are worth more than
others based on the difficulty. Garcia said one of the
most difficult aspects of the hunt for competitors is whether
to choose between a task that's easy or one that is worth more
points. "It's all about strategy. You have to plan as you
go," Garcia said. "Last year, my team went to Newport and the
limo driver got stuck in traffic. We got out and walked
because there's a time limit." Some of last year's
challenges included getting a picture of one of the team
members in the back of a police car or getting pictures of all
the Mr. Potato Head's around the state. "That was pretty
tough because you had to remember where they all were," said
Garcia. A few of last year's challenges proved even harder
to accomplish. "In some of the challenges you need to use a
little more persuasion. Last year somebody attempted to get a
picture on the field at McCoy Stadium," said Garcia. "It was a
failure." Garcia said the inaugural hunt was also
beneficial because it was a chance for employees to travel the
state. "I'm from Newport but I'm clueless about Johnston,"
said Garcia. "This lets everybody see Rhode Island." This
year's Master of Ceremonies is Judge Frank Caprio and Equity
Concepts is the presenting sponsor. Other sponsors include
Big Fish restaurant, Allegra Print & Imaging of Warwick
and the Dunkin Donuts Center. After the hunt, all
participants are invited back to the Harbourside to enjoy
food, drinks and music by DJ Delicious. Tickets are
available to anybody for the post-hunt party for $25 per
person. Team sponsorships are still available for $1,500.
The money pays for the limousine and 15 tickets to the
after-party.
For tickets
or more information call Ed Garcia at 719-5684 or go to
www.ultimateri.org.
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