Hobbies And Interests
Group Treasure Hunt
Have girls work in groups to teach them leadership skills. Have two girls volunteer to be the lead scouts. These girls will walk in front of the group and refer to their companions. Put two girls in charge of actually finding the treasure and carrying it back. The rest of the girls can help chart the course of the hunt.
Team Treasure Hunt
Use teams for a little friendly competition. Hide the treasure in the middle of two intersecting paths. Divide the girls into equal groups. Have an adult lead each of the groups to their respective start points. Then wait at the treasure site to see who wins. Each group of girls should get some treasure.
Combined Treasure Hunt
A combined treasure hunt can teach group work as well. Assign one group of girls to brainstorm a special hiding spot they know the other girls would not think of. Then, following an assigned trail, have them leave clues for the other half of the group. The second group has the responsibility of finding the treasure, which should make both groups equally excited.
Follow-the-Trail Hunt
With younger girls, it might take hours to get them to use a compass the right way. Younger girls can have fun following clues that have been left behind. Take your own compass and find a hiding spot on the hiking trail, field or other outside area. Trace your way back and, as you go, leave clues. Pile sticks and make a circle of rocks with an arrow, for instance.
Directional Hunt
Older girls can learn map and compass skills from treasure hunts. Make a rough coordinate map of the place where the treasure hunt will take place. Use a compass to mark the four directions, north, south, east and west. Make it easy on the girls--have them go one direction. The girls could start out facing east, for instance, then head due north the rest of the way. Put a mark a the location of the treasure. To make it easy, put the treasure in the center of the map. Make a "T" or "X" out of rocks to mark the treasure on the ground so the girls don't pass by.
Anti-Treasure Hunt
An "anti-treasure" hunt can teach girls moral lessons. Instead of having them hunt for an actual object, use something symbolic. The group leader might have a fireside speech prepared on moral fortitude, for instance. Hide a rock to represent strength, labeled with an "X" to "mark the spot." This will keep the girls wondering until the lesson is explained, thus providing them with an equal satisfaction.