Scavenger hunt planners seek support

For a fourth time, teens will scour the area in limos, with help from corporate sponsors and restaurants.

By JACKIE RIPLEY, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published August 9, 2002

TOWN 'N COUNTRY -- The teen limo scavenger hunt put on last year by the Town 'N Country Youth Council was so successful that organizers are doing it again this year. And again they are asking for help from corporate sponsors.

"Those that give $100 get their names on the back of the T-shirt," said Fran Gamester, one of the event's organizers.

Fifteen limos have been reserved for the Oct. 17 hunt, a joint project between the youth council and the Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department. There will be seven teens and one chaperone in each limo searching for clues throughout the Town 'N Country area.

This year's event will be the fourth of its kind in Hillsborough since 1985 and is open to anyone age 12 to 17.

"It's a a tremendous activity," said Harold Jackson, recreation area specialist with Hillsborough County Parks. "They get the clues and go out as a team, function as a team, meanwhile they have a good time."

A $1,500 grant provided seed money for the scavenger hunt. Each civic association sending teens will donate $100 toward its limo. The vehicles cost $240 to lease for the night, leaving a $140 shortfall per car, Gamester said.

"We're looking for people to donate $100 or $50, whatever they can toward that," she said.

Organizers also can use some help from restaurants.

"We feed them three times," Gamester said. "Last time people donated pizza, potato salad, all sorts of things from restaurants."

The teens, who will gather at the Town 'N Country Recreation Center on Hanley Road, are fed a meal after checking in. They take off in the limos for a few hours of hunting before returning to the rec center around 8:30 p.m. to compare notes and eat a snack. Then it's back out one more time before returning at 10:30 p.m. to turn in their scores.

Judges announce the winners, and they eat again, Gamester said.

Jackson said he expected anywhere from 70 to 140 teens to take part in this year's event.

"It's a tremendous community/recreation event," Jackson said. "The teens have a great time. That's what it's all about."

To learn more

For more information about corporate sponsorship or to sign up call (813) 554-5002.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright