As homecoming week drew to a close, the Hamline University campus buzzed with the excitement of students brimming with school spirit and a burning desire to win prizes. A crowd of enthusiastic students gathered at Anderson Center on Thursday night and embarked on a memorable scavenger hunt adventure.
Homecoming week is a time of joy, unity and celebration, and the scavenger hunt proved to be one of the most anticipated activities. While scavenger hunts are inherently thrilling, this year’s event introduced a quirky and captivating twist — participants had to embark on a quest to find tiny red ducks scattered throughout the school campus.
As the clock atop Old Main struck 6 p.m., approximately 40 students assembled in Anderson, eager to compete for valuable prizes. Anticipation hung in the air as students formed teams and received their packets of riddles. Armed with clues leading to the elusive red rubber ducks, participants embarked on an exhilarating journey across the school grounds. The first-place prize was a pair of coveted Apple AirPods Max, followed by an Apple Watch for second place and a $100 voucher for the Hamline bookstore for third place.
Each individual or group of students was equipped with a list of 18 tricky riddles, each hinting at various locations on campus. To claim victory, participants needed to decipher these riddles, locate a small red duck with a QR code attached to each designated spot, scan the code, submit their names as proof of discovery and move on to the next challenge.
Hamline’s campus became a bustling playground as students scrambled to uncover every hidden duck. Collaboration and problem-solving were in high demand, with participants seeking insights from fellow competitors and forming impromptu alliances to complete the hunt more swiftly. Despite Hamline’s relatively small size, the campus felt huge as students sprinted from one location to another in pursuit of victory.
Scavenger hunts are renowned for promoting teamwork and honing problem-solving skills, and this duck-themed quest was no exception. Luke Snow of the Hamline University Programming Board masterminded the search and presented students with challenging riddles that left no room for complacency. With just one hour to find 18 hidden ducks scattered across the entire campus, most participants did not locate them all in time.
However, it is essential to note that the students were not solely responsible for the challenges faced during the scavenger hunt. Several glitches disrupted the event, as some participants needed help scanning the QR codes, losing precious time. Furthermore, access to Old Main was supposed to lead participants to one of the ducks, but the building was locked just before the game began. Additionally, a few participants playfully relocated or concealed some of the ducks, leading the following teams on a wild goose—well, duck—chase.
Despite these mishaps, several students showcased remarkable skills in the hunt. Ella Swanson secured third place, Eli Malecha claimed second place and Valentina Hernandez emerged as the triumphant winner, having located an impressive 16 ducks.
The scavenger hunt is sure to become a beloved homecoming tradition at Hamline. It not only allowed students to strengthen their bonds, explore the campus and express their school spirit in unconventional ways but also created lasting memories that enriched the sense of community within the school.
As the rubber ducks were collected and the teams reconvened, it was evident that this year’s homecoming celebration had successfully achieved its goal: to create unforgettable moments and foster a deep sense of togetherness among Hamline’s spirited students. The Duck Quest had truly quacked its way into the hearts of all who participated.