Scavenger hunt puts the ‘E’ in enjoy
Capital E is calling all astronauts and extraterrestrial beings down to earth this weekend for its annual Wellington Anniversary weekend Great Scavenger Hunt.
Returning for its seventh edition, this year’s event has an interstellar theme, meaning Wellington’s waterfront will be taken over by young astronauts on a mission.
Intrepid explorers will visit the final frontier as they hunt for clues and complete missions, armed with special maps, to explore different ‘‘planets’’ - organisations such as Space Place at Carter Observatory, Circa Theatre and Te Papa.
Event co-ordinator Keely McCann says the event was created to give families a fun and affordable day to explore some of Wellington’s organisations and has grown into a much-anticipated annual event for young people.
‘‘It really showcases what Wellington has to offer as a creative and cultural hub and it gives the kids a chance to experience things they might never normally experience.
‘‘The thing I really love about it is it’s a gold coin donation,’’ she says. ’’It’s a koha event, so it’s accessible to everyone.’’
All the participating ‘‘planets’’ are around the Wellington waterfront, making it all accessible by foot.
Participants start with a map, which they can pick-up from Capital E or print off beforehand.
At each destination there is a challenge, such as scoring a goal against ‘‘alien invaders’’ at Wellington Indoor Sports or finding treasures at Te Papa.
Each challenge has two difficulty levels, with a 60-minute or 120-minute course to choose from. Once each challenge is completed, participants get a stamp and when they have completed all the challenges and collected all the stamps, they can return to Capital E to enter in a prize draw.
Capital E’s MediaLab will also be offering a virtual reality experience and entertainment, including a child-friendly set by Wellington band The Troubles, on Queens Wharf between noon and 2pm.
A costume parade will take place at the same venue at 1pm.
The details: Capital E, Queens Wharf, 10am4pm, entry by koha. In case of rain, Great Scavenger Hunt will be postponed to Sunday. Visit capitale.org.nz or call 04 913 3740 for details.