Scavenger Hunts

Parsifal · #1 03-13-2002, 10:12 PM

Is there any way to do this without it being hazing. I would think that it is only a problem if the items listed are somehow inappropriate, or if there is a "punishment" for being the last group to collect the items. If this isn't the case, and it's on the up and up, is it still a problem? It seems like such a fun thing for new members to do together.

James · #2 03-13-2002, 10:55 PM

If you do it, and no one gets hurt, nothing is stolen, no item is risky to get or illegal then no one is going to know OR care.

But there are easy ways to cover yourself. Don't make it madatory, give awards/prizes for the people with the best scores, team actives with pledges so there is no artifical fractioning of the chapter, and have it during daylight.

Use some common sense. Schools have scavenger hunts all the time.

Quote:

Originally posted by Parsifal
Is there any way to do this without it being hazing. I would think that it is only a problem if the items listed are somehow inappropriate, or if there is a "punishment" for being the last group to collect the items. If this isn't the case, and it's on the up and up, is it still a problem? It seems like such a fun thing for new members to do together.

#3 03-14-2002, 08:56 AM

Much of how it might be considered hazing depends on how your risk managment documents are written. If it states "no scavenger hunts", any activity that can be construded as a scavenger hunt is in violation of your policy. Also verify with your universities policies. Some university policies are stated differently.

Something called a road ralley might be an option. As part of Engineer's week at my school the Engineer's Club hosts a road ralley. Its a pre-mapped route given by a series of clues with three check points. Its based on time to traverse and odemeter readings. Time is based on speed limits. The team closes to the correct odemeter reading and time wins. Teams dress up with themes for their car. It can be alot of fun and the last check point is a place for a cookout/party. Just ensure the rules obey your policies, including licienced and insured drivers and seat belts.

Kapsig1 · #4 03-14-2002, 05:44 PM

If we're being real, there is NOTHING about a scavenger hunt that is hazing defined. It's how the event is conducted. I've seen both kinds and it's not a subtle thing.

Now that being said, there are different definitions of hazing in different orgs, states, schools, etc. And yes, there are schools (in particular) that have flat out outlawed scavenger hunts. My take - ridiculous. There are fantastic, educational scavenger hunts in which there is no alcohol, theft, battery or mental garbage.

Doing one this way of course takes a great deal more creativity, integrity and planning....but hey, hard work usually pays off.

LeslieAGD · #5 03-16-2002, 11:16 AM

You might be able to do a scavenger hunt as a brotherhood/sisterhood event, perhaps sometime after Initiation when it doesn't involve new members. Or, you might try doing it as a social with another org.

AXPAlum · #6 03-21-2002, 01:08 PM

Honestly, each school and each organization defines a hazing policy differently. Consult your chapter advisors and/or your school's greek advisor on what activities classify as hazing. It will usually be straightforward "yes" or "no" to a scanvenger hunt in general.

Still, If you have one and absolutely nothing bad happens, then there really isn't any harm in it. I think scavenger hunts are great unity-building activities, I hope you guys go through with it.

ZHLyreGirl · #7 03-21-2002, 02:40 PM

During the time when we were meeting the older girls to try and choose our big sis we had a scavenger hunt. Each of the new members were paired with an active member and then put in groups of two or three pairs. Then they handed each group a diposable camera and a list of things we needed to take pictures of. For example, we had to get pics with two girls or guys from all the other greek houses on campus or have each girl stand infront of the main building of their major. We also did a human pyramid and posed with the statue of the collage founder. None of it was mandatory, therfore it wasn't hazing. But it was so much fun and we ended with some great pics with our new sisters

Just a thought ~Katy

ASAChick · #8 03-21-2002, 03:47 PM

My chapter just decided to start doing the Scavenger hunt again. We are just going to make sure we stay away from anything that could be considered hazing. Like, we're going to ask the girls if they want to, and make sure they know that they have an option. I don't see why they wouldnt want to go, bc it's such a good time to bond with the other rushee's and get to know the girls already in. I think that if you keep it completely legal...dont steal anything or make them do anything, then why should it matter?

Kapsig1 · #9 03-22-2002, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ASAChick
My chapter just decided to start doing the Scavenger hunt again. We are just going to make sure we stay away from anything that could be considered hazing. Like, we're going to ask the girls if they want to, and make sure they know that they have an option. I don't see why they wouldnt want to go, bc it's such a good time to bond with the other rushee's and get to know the girls already in. I think that if you keep it completely legal...dont steal anything or make them do anything, then why should it matter?

Be careful here, many orgs and schools have policies that include "whether voluntary or involuntary" language.

Brad

shadokat · #10 03-22-2002, 11:07 AM

Kapsig1 has a good point in that it's all about how the scavenger hunt is conducted. You need to really review your organization's and campus's hazing policies to know for sure. We did scavenger hunts as new members, and they were a blast, but some people I know have had to do ones that were really like road trips and were timed and if they didn't finish in a certain amount of time, there was hell to pay and such. That's easily hazing.

tridgirl · #11 03-22-2002, 01:51 PM

My only advice on scavenger hunts is to beware and check you policies. We had one last fall with all members not maditory, etc. certainly not hazing, well that day our field consultant came and threw a HUGE hit over it. It turns out its one of our bylaws that we can't have scavenger hunts of any kid, its below you can't have hayrides and above you can't rent hotel rooms as a group. Who knew? Certainly not our sponsor chair who was in tears/raging mad and had to change the whole activity on half an hour's notice. So beware and don't make the same mistakes we did, and its to bad scavenger hunts can be so fun.

LaurenRosen · #12 03-22-2002, 02:43 PM

My chapter turned our Scavenger Hunt into a Philanthropy event. The list included canned foods, flashlights, batteries, clothing etc and donated it to the Red Cross. It was fun going door-to-door in the community and meeting all the great people that live in the neighborhood! We gave out prizes to the top team and then had a cookout for everyone afterwards - totally fun and no chance of it being considered hazing!

Kapsig1 · #13 03-22-2002, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LaurenRosen
My chapter turned our Scavenger Hunt into a Philanthropy event. The list included canned foods, flashlights, batteries, clothing etc and donated it to the Red Cross. It was fun going door-to-door in the community and meeting all the great people that live in the neighborhood! We gave out prizes to the top team and then had a cookout for everyone afterwards - totally fun and no chance of it being considered hazing!

AWESOME creativity!

SigkapAlumWSU · #14 03-22-2002, 04:48 PM

Wow, that is such a great idea! Not only getting other GLO's involved, but the community as well! and you still get to do the scavenger hunt! Great idea!