How Do The Hunts Work?
Each month, April through December, we have a treasure hunt somewhere in Howard County on the paved pathways through nature and neighborhoods.
You can find the hunt schedule here.
The hunts last for about nine days - Saturday to the following Sunday. You can go on the hunt any time during daylight hours while it's open. There are no reservations or timeslots - go at your convenience!
The hunts are self-guided; just you and your pirates on an adventure! Print out the map, read the instructions, and have fun!
What Is A Hunt Like?
The hunts are roughly 1-mile loop trails (you finish near where you started) on the paved trails that run throughout Howard County.
Pirates get a printed-out map to follow and find five clues along the trail. The clues could be big gold rocks, colorful flags, beads on wire, or something else. At each one, they'll solve the clue using matching, reading, writing, math, or critical thinking to get a letter of a Treasure Chest Password.
Once they've figured out the password, they head to the "X" on their map to find a hidden treasure chest they can open and get some booty to take home!
Our Story
The treasure hunts started as a Daddy-Daughter bonding activity back in 2016 (when my daughter was 3).
During COVID, we decided to make them public so parents could have something safe and outdoors to do with their kids. It immediately caught on and people shared it with friends, who shared it with more friends . Within a few months, we had hundreds of families going on the treasure hunt!
We're now in our sixth year of doing the treasure hunts and don't plan to stop any time soon! We have donated thousands of dollars to local Howard County charity organizations. More than anything, we love seeing families enjoying this beautiful area we live in and being part of our community!