The Secrets of SoMa Treasure Hunt: How it Works/the RulesThe goal of the treasure hunt is to solve a series of puzzles, or clues, many leading to historically significant locations. Some clues, when correctly solved, lead you directly to the mystery location. Other clues require you to start at one location and follow a trail of landmarks (ranging from vintage signs of long-closed businesses to distinctive markings in the sidewalk) to your final destination. Even people who are not proficient at solving puzzles can participate by looking for these hard to spot landmarks that make up the trail you must follow.
This is a collaborative problem-solving game. Be sure that all team members have a chance to read and discuss a clue before heading to a location. There are often multiple interpretations of a clue and rushing to judgement without weighing each possibility and its merits can lead to mistakes. Effective communication and collaboration will heighten the treasure hunting experience for everyone.Teams function best when everyone participates and decisions are made collaboratively.
The hunt is a fun but intense problem-solving exercise. If done properly, it is an outstanding team-building exercise. But it can be a sour experience for players who feel ignored or left out of the process. The main idea is for everyone to have fun and share the experience of collaboratively solving the clues, and finding the treasure at each clue site. Therefore, teams must stay together.
You may not separate, split up, or leave players behind. This means that everyone on your team must be at the same clue location, and must stay in visual and voice contact; within sight and earshot of one another. Half of your team cannot go around the block, and one or two players cannot run ahead of their teammates. Your team will be required to travel at a pace all of you agree upon. Make sure you're all in agreement on this before the hunt starts.
Every player receives a detailed map of the hunt area, and a set of clues. Each team receives an alphabetical street index (corresponding to the map) and a score sheet on which to record the information which proves the team solved the clue.
The hunt begins at 1:00 p.m., and ends at 5:00 p.m. back at Justin Herman Plaza. As soon as possible after 5:00 p.m., we will explain the clues, revealing the secrets, puns and puzzles of the evening.
The clues will refer you to a specific location, or clue site within the hunt playing area. The boundaries run from Market Street to the North, Townsend Street on the South, the Embarcadero on the East and Powell and 5th Streets on the West. The boundaries will be marked on the map each player receives.
The Secrets of SoMa Treasure Hunt