Family treasure hunt

Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter

 

In celebration of International Day of Families on May 15, the Strathmore Municipal Library is planning ‘The Great Family Treasure Hunt.’
When searching online for programming ideas for May 15, which is a flex Friday for local schools, Assistant Director of Library Services Carmen Erison came across info about the day, and began to think of what type of program they could bring to the library. That’s how the idea of the treasure hunt was born.
“The treasure map will include actual locations of the items as well as GPS coordinates to bring out that geocaching fun, adventure hunt into it as well,” said Erison.
She personally loves geocaching, and said it’s a modern day treasure hunt, and that there are geocaches hidden everywhere in the world. Erison has always wanted to incorporate some kind of treasure hunt type of program into the library.
This program is sponsored by the Strathmore FCSS, who secured the grand prize, and some of the other prizes, and sponsored advertising. The hope is that families come in together, pick up their treasure maps and start looking for clues.
“They will find clues to treasures that will be hidden here in the Lambert Centre, the Lambert Park, Kinsmen Park and parts of downtown Strathmore,” said Erison.
These will be challenging hunts, said Erison. They won’t be the type of treasure hunt that takes about five minutes. It is the type of program in which they are encouraging families to work together.
“This here, with it being International Day of Families, gave us a great opportunity to provide a program like this. We do realize it is on the May long weekend, so unfortunately we do understand that some families might be heading off for camping,” said Erison.
“But we still think that its still worth it to do a program like this because not everybody can afford to go out of town and so this allows you to have your own adventure within your town limits.”
Taylor Hillier Photography has donated a mini photo session, valued at $120, as the grand prize for one lucky family that completes the hunt. It includes a 30-minute shooting time, a location of your choice in Strathmore, 10 edited images, and one online gallery to view and download from.
‘The Great Family Treasure Hunt’ will run from noon until 4 p.m. Other prizes for participating families will include family pool passes and free memberships to the library.