Oregon Coast Quests
What is a Quest?
Quests are fun and educational clue-directed hunts that encourage the year-round exploration of areas of natural and cultural significance in Lincoln County. In this self-guided activity, Questers are challenged to follow a map and find a series of clues designed to help them locate a hidden box -- and have fun learning along the way. Those who successfully find their way to the hidden box will find a small guest book, a stamp pad and unique rubber stamp, and additional information about the Quest site. They get to sign the guest book to record their find and make an imprint of the Quest box stamp in the back of their clue book as proof of accomplishment. The box is then put back for the next person to find. So that others can share in the fun, the location of the clues and box remain a secret.
Questing is an ideal place-based activity for individuals, small groups, and families. Turning a walk into a treasure hunt helps engage children with the environment. Participants share in and learn about important areas of natural, cultural, and historical significance. Furthermore, Quests offer both those who go on the treasure hunts and those who help create Quests for others gain a sense of pride and stewardship for the true treasures that can be found within their local community.
Where did Questing come from?
Questing was born out of a 150-year old tradition in the region surrounding Dartmoor National Park in southwest England. "Letterboxing," as this tradition is called, is a popular past time, with thousands of boxes hidden in both natural and cultural locations.
In Vermont, an organization called Vital Communities built upon this tradition by developing the Valley Quest program. In the early 1990s, Vital Communities was concerned about the future of the Upper Valley region, and was hoping to develop a program that might foster sense of place, strengthen relationships between schools and communities, and build bridges across the generations. The result was Valley Quest, with “Valley” referring to the place and “Quest” referring to a treasure hunt—made by children and adults working together—leading to the community’s special places. Over time, the Valley Quest program has grown. More than 1,500 children, adults, families, scouts, students and historical society members have contributed to the creation of the 150+Quests found in the Valley Quest books.
Communities across the country have begun to replicate Valley Quest’s success. For example, South Shore Quests began creating Quests and publishing annual clue booklets for their area in Massachusetts in 1998. Today, approximately 1000 visitors visit each of their 20 Quests every year.
Oregon Sea Grant has now brought this fun and educational activity to Lincoln County through the formation of the Oregon Coast Quests program, coordinated by Sea Grant educator Cait Goodwin, a seven-year veteran of the South Shore Quests program.