Hometown Discoveries Rules And Permission

Hometown Discoveries Welcome to the first edition of Hometown Discoveries for the school year 2008-2009. It’s your town and you should know all about it. Now it’s time to get started. Please review the rules below and ask your parents to sign the permission slip.

Background “Hometown Discoveries” is a scavenger hunt-based challenge in which adolescents (between the ages of 10-14) solve clues, find locations, take digital pictures and video in front of clues and navigate the National Mall & Zoo area by foot.

Discovery The Discovery begins at the specified meeting spot near the National Mall or at the Zoo. You will be given a Discovery Packet which includes all of your clues and support materials plus a digital camera. You will race with one partner and one partner only. Both of you must read the directions of your discovery packet, solve clues, use maps to navigate the area, and ask questions of tourists and museum guards to help find each clue. Once you have found the clue, take down the necessary information, snap a photo or record a video and head on to the next clue. Remember that speed is important in this game so keep up a good pace because you need to be back at the finishing time. Each clue has a different point value so make sure that you make a strategy on figuring out which clues to solve for the highest point value. Be sure to make it to the finish line on time. There is a point penalty for every 5 minutes that you are late.

Rules #1 All participants must have written permission from parents to participate. Interested parents may chaperone a team but may not help in any way. #2 All participants must follow all rules inside of museums. No running, eating, drinking or yelling allowed. #3 All participants must follow all traffic laws when crossing streets. DO NOT RUN OUT IN TRAFFIC – Always use crosswalks with walk signs.

#4 A team can only consist of two members. Parents may only accompany participants; they may not help with solving clues or giving directions. #5 Teammates must stay together at all times. No splitting up ever. #6 There is no set course but you must solve clues in order. #7 You must have a pen/pencil, bottle of water and Lunch (money is ok). These will be checked before you head out. You will not be given a Discovery Packet if you fail to bring these items. It is suggested that one teammate wear a backpack. #8 When approaching security guards or tourists to ask questions, you act in respectful manner. #9 You may not physically interfere with other teams by blocking, pushing, tripping or any other means that could be seen as hindering a team’s performance. #10 To be considered the winner your team must have the highest point value, both teammates must come to the finish line together and both teammates must be in every picture. If anything is wrong once you have crossed the finish line you will lose points. #11 You are responsible for the digital camera. Do not drop it. Do not loose it. Do not forget it inside a museum. Always ask yourself as you head to the next clue: “Do we have the camera?”

Prizes

This is BIG TIME! You have a chance at winning at least $50! If you are a part of the first team to finish with all clues answered correctly you and your teammate may possibly get $50 each! The prize will be bigger the more students who participate. If there are fewer than 20 students participating then the winnings will be less than $50. If there are 24 students participating then there will also be a 2nd place prize of $10 each. First Come, First Serve! So get your permission slips and $5 in ASAP!!!!!!!

Saturday November 15th We will meet at the main entrance to the National Museum of the American Indian located on 4th street and the National Mall. The best way to get there is to take the Metro to L’Enfant Plaza and walk north to the Mall. We start at 10AM, so please plan on getting to the Indian Museum at 9:45am. You will lose one point for every minute that you are

late. Please call Mr. Magnuson at 202-368-4883 if you have concerns about transportation or paying the $5 entrance fee. We can work things out especially if your son or daughter is very excited about the competition and also available on Saturday the 11th. The more students who compete, the more fun everyone has! So please contact Mr. Magnuson with any questions (202) 368-4883

Permission Slip for Hometown Discoveries I _________________________________, give permission for ____________________ (Your name)

(Your son or daughter)

to participate in the November 15th Hometown Discoveries Scavenger Hunt. I understand that my son/daughter must arrive at the National Museum of the American Indian by 10am to participate and I should expect him or her to be done no later than 2:00pm. I have arranged travel plans for him/her. (Your initials) _______ I understand that I am welcome to chaperone but that if I do I am prohibited from helping with solving any clues or finding a museum. (Your initials) ________ I understand that the nature of a scavenger hunt means that my son or daughter will not be supervised the entire time but he or she will have to make wise choices on his or her own. I have carefully reviewed the Hometown Discoveries rules with my son/daughter. (Your initials) ________ I also understand that neither Mr. Magnuson nor Paul Public Charter School is responsible for any injury sustained by my son or daughter before, during or after the running of the “Hometown Discoveries” scavenger hunt. In case of an injury I give Mr. Magnuson permission to act on my behalf, including ambulance service if necessary. (Your initials) ________ Is your son or daughter covered by health insurance? ___________

I have made sure that my son or daughter is prepared with a water bottle and lunch (or lunch money). (Your initials) ___________ I understand that this is a competitive event and that my son or daughter has paid five (5) dollars to compete. I also understand that this money will be used for prizes for winning teams. I have prepared my son or daughter in the habits of good sportsmanship. (Your initials) ___________ I understand that digital cameras are used in this event. I have reminded my son or daughter that he or she must be absolutely responsible for the camera and will be held accountable if it is lost. (Your initials) _______________________ I also give permission for Mr. Magnuson to use video footage and photographs of my son or daughter to record the day’s events on his blog and to promote Hometown Discoveries to other teachers and students. (Your Initials) __________________________ Signature:______________________________________ Date:_________________ Emergency Contact Information & Phone #s _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _