Community holding weeklong scavenger hunt
Tasks focused on west-end district’s unique history and character
Let the hunt begin! The scavenger hunt, that is.
As part of Montreal’s 375th anniversary celebrations, individuals, families and teams are invited to partake in a weeklong scavenger hunt in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce that will have participants completing a wide variety of tasks centred largely on the west-end district’s distinct history and character.
“ScaveNDGer tasks will appeal to both newcomers and old-timers and are appropriate for residents of all ages and abilities,” co-coordinator Sarah Ring said. “Participants will be asked to unearth historical facts, meet fellow residents, admire the rich diversity of public art and acquaint themselves with various community services.”
There is no cap on the number of participants and being an N.D.G. resident is not a prerequisite to join in the fun. However, those interested in spending a week on the hunt must register before the Aug. 13 start date through the website, tresorsndg.com. Admission is free.
“Those who register before Aug. 13 will be sent a list of tasks,” said co-co-ordinator Aurora Robinson, noting there are 20 to choose from. “They will have a choice. They won’t have to do everything. They will be able to select those tasks that they are interested in.”
Essentially, participants choose their own adventures, attempting to complete at least seven tasks, though they are welcome to do more if they wish.
“It’s not going to be super competitive,” Robinson said. “We will have a little surprise for everyone who participates and the winner will receive much acclaim and attention.”
Some tasks are easier than others, Robinson said, but she declined to give away any spoilers. The tasks, she explained, will involve solving clues that lead to places, sometimes off the beaten path, to complete a range of assignments. Hunters will be encouraged to film and photograph their hunt and share those images to social media.
Be it Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, participants will be asked to register their social media accounts with ScaveNDGer. Hunt organizers will be monitoring those accounts for uploaded photos and videos of the hunt. Images will then be blogged by ScaveNDGer throughout the week, leading up to a special event on Aug. 19 at the Benny Library and Cultural Centre on Monkland Ave.
“Photos and videos taken by participants in our weeklong ScaveNDGer hunt will be on display, allowing visitors to explore their neighbourhood through the eyes of other residents, and make interesting new discoveries right along with them,” states the website. That multimedia exhibit will be available for viewing through Aug. 20.
During the Aug. 19 event, there will also be a smaller-scale, oneday scavenger hunt that will send participants out into the surrounding neighbourhood on foot. This will give those who didn’t partake in the longer version an opportunity to participate.
ScaveNDGer is funded by the city and province as part of the year-long celebration of Montreal’s 375th birthday.
The hunt is being organized in collaboration with the N.D.G. Community Council. Local artists and organizations were brought in to help, ensuring the MTL375 funding gets dispersed within the community, Ring said.
After going through the application process, Robinson said the funding was approved about a year ago and the hunt has been in the making ever since.
Sandrine Campeau will be part of a group of five scavengers, not counting her 21-month-old son. Campeau’s six-year-old daughter wanted to join forces with her school friend, so the two N.D.G.based families decided to team up.
“I think this is a great, great event for them to learn a little bit about the history of N.D.G. and maybe give them the opportunity to explore places that they haven’t seen before in our community,” Campeau said. “It is great that this has been tied in with the 375th anniversary. I think we are very privileged to have such a fun activity here.”
It’s not going to be super competitive. We will have a little surprise for everyone who participates.