Rhode Island Statewide Scavenger Hunt is Back with New Locations, Prizes and Surprises

Courtesy of Leadership Rhode Island

Just how well do you think you know the Ocean State?

If your answer is something along the lines of “wicked well,” you just may want to put that knowledge and appreciation to the test with Leadership Rhode Island’s second annual Statewide Scavenger Hunt. Following its thrilling debut in 2021, the hunt will take place this weekend and task participants with scouring the state — with the aid of an augmented reality program — for some of its most unique hidden historical treasures. Those interested in participating can navigate the hunt solo or put together a team of up to six scavengers, and spend as much or as little time as they like on the hunt throughout the two days. Included in the registration fee is a swag tote chock full of everything you will need for a successful search, including a custom-illustrated map of Rhode Island specially designed to interact with the hunt’s mobile app that will guide you along the way. Once you stumble upon one of the intended destinations, all you have to do is take a picture of yourself (or a designated mascot) in the spot as proof of your find — and of course, social media shares are always encouraged. The festivities will culminate Sunday evening with a closing party at Roger Williams Park, and the individuals or teams who present the most tallies will be entered to win some pretty fantastic Rhody-themed prizes.

Courtesy of Leadership Rhode Island

Last year, more than 120 locations across Rhode Island were included in the map, stretching from the iconic Waterfire Basin in Providence to T.F. Green’s defunct art deco entrance in Warwick to the mysterious Hannah Robinson Tower in South Kingstown. This time around, the hunt will feature at least 100 local sites with fifty of those being all new additions to the list. Any repeat locales from last year, meanwhile, will feature reimagined clues so it won’t be too easy for any returning players. More puzzles and interactive experiences have also been worked into the hunt to up the ante. But don’t fret, this year’s participants will receive an extra hand from Sara Corbin, the host of the Weird Island, a weekly podcast that delves into some of the quirkiest happenings from Rhode Island’s past. She will be providing audio narrative clues. Leadership Rhode Island is also collaborating with the Rhode Island Slave History Medallion Project, an organization which locates and marks sites linked to the state’s historic role in slavery, to include more than a half dozen slave history markers in the hunt.

Courtesy of Leadership Rhode Island

So, what can you win? The top fifteen teams will be entered into a drawing to win a VIP WaterFire experience, including a paid dinner and gondola ride during a 2022/2023 lighting. Meanwhile, teams that complete at least two clues in each of the five Rhode Island counties will be entered to win a year’s worth of passports to Rhode Island Food Fights events (per team member!). Even the more casual players have a chance to earn prizes merely by being in the right place at the right time. Throughout the weekend, there will be opportunities for teams to happen upon special keys during their site visits. These keys may or may not open a treasure chest of Rhode Island experiences at the party on Sunday.

Courtesy of Leadership Rhode Island

If you’re interested in closing out the summer with an epic Rhode trip, registration is $60 per team and you can sign up in advance (or just learn more about how the scavenger hunt works) here.

Courtesy of Leadership Rhode Island