Over these past few weeks I have experienced waves of anxiety and sadness, and at the same time such gratitude. I can’t imagine going through this crisis in any other part of the world. The Upper Valley is an amazing place filled with amazing people and places. I have the ability to walk out my door and witness first-hand the coming of spring as the buds emerge and the mud slowly dries. We invite you to take this coming week as a chance to celebrate the Upper Valley and our bonds to it. As part of this celebration consider discovering a local Quest or creating a Quest on your own.
We may not be able to leave our property much and we may not be able to visit our favorite Quest, yet we can find our own special places on our property or in our neighborhoods. This past week my kids and I decided to create a Quest of all the places that are special to our family on our property. It took us a couple of hours and once we were done we sent my husband out to follow our newly formed Quest clues.
Developing the Quest was fairly easy. First, we each made a list of our favorite spots on the property. We decided where the Quest would start and walked to each of our favorite spots, figuring out the best sequence to follow. Once we had the sequence, we headed back inside to write our clues. The clues made us practice lots of rhyming as well as decide if we wanted to teach a few things along the way. We also created a map with illustrations and directional arrows. Once it was pulled together, we sent my husband out to test it. The kids loved watching their dad read their Quest and discover their special places on our property. They are also excited for their cousins to try the Quest (when they are able to visit again).
Try this out with your own family. Even if you don’t have a few acres you can do the same thing around a neighborhood, or inside your apartment. We all have a spot or two that we find special and everyone loves a treasure hunt. Send along a picture of your maps, clues, or Questing, or tag @vitalcommunities. We would love to see how you are celebrating your special places.
Steps:
- List your special spots.
- Walk the route you would like to take.
- Write your rhyming clues. Try to add some teaching points along with directional clues.
- Draw a map of the area.
- Test out the Quest.
- Save your Quest to share with others who visit once social distancing is relaxed.
Also check out our website for step-by-step videos on how to create a Quest.
Collier Quest April 2020
Start your adventure on a seat that swings.
Don’t wait too long and head to a place that could sting.
Head out to the deck.
Hang a compass around your neck.
South you will head as you leave the house.
Cross a field that certainly has a mouse.
Stop at the place honey is made.
In the hive you could find workers and drones that she laid
With the bees at your back
Compass you should not lack.
Go 60 east till you come to a tree with trunks of six
This white pine has lots of sticks.
Go down the hill to the fourth apple in the row.
How many apples do you think it will grow?
Move 28 steps to walk on water.
Check in the pond. Do you see an otter?
With your back to the dock walk north to the water that runs.
Your kids visit here and come home with wet buns.
Move upstream till the house is near.
You are almost done. Do not shed a tear.
Stop at the newly fallen tree.
Up the hill to the compost you see.
Go up hill to the place where veggies are grown.
You are almost there, don’t start to moan.
Look for your treasure where the hose hangs.
End your quest with the Collier gang!