On the 12th of October, Young Innovators Australia (YIA) made a remarkable impact at Campbelltown’s Wander on Q festival with an innovative and interactive Treasure Hunt Challenge. The event, designed for children and their families, combined fun, education, and community exploration. Held along Queen Street in the heart of Campbelltown’s CBD, this family-friendly event offered a blend of games, activities, and prizes, all aimed at promoting youth engagement and participation.
Setting the Stage for Fun and Learning
Young Innovators Australia established a vibrant stall at Lithgow Street in Zone 3 of the festival, serving as a hub of activity throughout the day. The stall featured colourful helium balloons, pull-up banners, and a media wall, creating a welcoming and festive atmosphere that attracted festival-goers of all ages.
Visitors to the stall were greeted by a lively setup, including tables covered with vibrant flyers, laptops connected to a projector and screen for interactive games, and gift bags filled with goodies like $10 vouchers and lollipops. The gift bags were handed out to winners of various games and challenges held throughout the day, adding to the sense of excitement and reward.
The Treasure Hunt Challenge
The centrepiece of YIA’s activities was the Treasure Hunt Challenge, which took participants on a fun-filled journey around Queen Street. The challenge was designed to encourage exploration of iconic landmarks and local businesses in the area. Participants were given an information sheet filled with clues and a map, with the task of visiting eight hidden locations. These locations included King Candy, Glenalvon House, Dumaresq Street Cinema, 360 Photo Booth, OZ ComiX, Forum on Q, the Wander on Q Visitor Information Centre and more.
Rather than providing direct directions, YIA cleverly turned the search into an educational game by offering clues in the form of riddles and fill-in-the-blank questions. This approach not only entertained but also ensured that participants engaged with each location, learning about its significance as they played. Upon arrival at each spot, players scanned QR codes, which led them to a dedicated webpage providing further details on how to solve the clues and complete the game.
The challenge fostered a sense of adventure and accomplishment for participants as they worked their way through the clues. Children, accompanied by their families, eagerly explored Queen Street, stopping at each treasure point to solve riddles and fill in the blanks. At the end of the hunt, participants who completed their information sheets returned to the YIA stall to claim their rewards. Every player received a prize, ensuring that all participants left with a sense of achievement and excitement.
Spin the Wheel and Kahoot Quiz
In addition to the Treasure Hunt, YIA offered several engaging activities at their stall to keep the energy high throughout the day. One of the most popular attractions was the Spin the Wheel game, held every 30 minutes. Participants could spin the wheel for a chance to win instant prizes, which included vouchers, gift bags, and other exciting items. The regular intervals of this game ensured that there was always something happening at the stall, attracting a constant flow of participants and onlookers.
As the evening approached, YIA ramped up the excitement with a highly anticipated Kahoot Quiz competition. Held at 8:30 PM, the quiz tested participants’ general knowledge with questions related to science, technology, and local Campbelltown history. The interactive format of Kahoot, with its real-time leaderboard, added a competitive edge to the event, drawing both children and adults into the fun. Larger prizes were awarded to the top scorers, adding an extra layer of motivation for participants to do their best.
The YIA Treasure Hunt Challenge at Wander on Q was a resounding success, bringing together families, local businesses, and volunteers for a day of fun, learning, and community building. With its carefully planned activities, engaging games, and educational focus, the event highlighted the positive impact that organisations like Young Innovators Australia can have on youth development. Through initiatives like this, YIA continues to inspire and empower the young people of Campbelltown, offering them opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.
