One of the most popular romantic games has always been the treasure hunt. The basic version involves a “pirate treasure map” stuffed inside of a bottle, left somewhere that your partner will find it. The map would then lead them to a destination and/or a treasure of your choosing, whether it be a small gift box buried in the park, or a seat across from you at the local coffee shop. Off of this theme there are countless variations, all involving a map and a destination. Allow me to introduce you to a couple of newer variations: welcome to treasure hunting in the Twenty-First Century.

The modern man (and woman) comes equipped with a few basic tools of survival, amongst which can usually be found a cell phone. Most cell phones now come equipped with text messaging as a standard feature, and many with a camera as well. Your treasure hunt starts with an email, audio message, note or text message of some kind. The exact message and delivery method is up to you, but the idea is simple: let your partner know that you have set up a treasure hunt for him, and give him the first way point on the map. Leave a little surprise there, such as some chocolate coins or a card along with instructions to the next stop on the “map”.

Just a side note, it could be fun to leave the instructions in the form of a poem or riddle, but if you do, make sure it is easy to understand. Clarity is important here, for you actually want him/her to find the treasure! Continue in this fashion through 3 to 5 map points, until they reach the treasure’s location. What happens here depends on what kind of treasure you had in mind for them. If it’s a surprise lunch date, then arriving at the cafe is good enough. If it’s a present, perhaps an “X” made of two sticks on the ground to show your partner where to dig would be better. Use your imagination.

Here’s a couple of fun variations: if your phone is equipped with a camera, use location photos to indicate the next stop on the map. Just make sure that there are distinctive features in the shots, such as street signs, or storefronts that are easy to recognize. You could even create some distinctive features by tying a red balloon to a tree, bench or post. Again, imagination and clarity are key to a successful treasure hunt.

If you have access to a GPS receiver, adapt the rules of geocaching to your treasure hunt. You could even add a secret agent twist for added spice! In this case, you might start the game with an email similar to this:

“Agent Bob, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to intercept Nefarious Nancy, aka the Queen of Corruption, before she has a chance to take over the world! Information on her exact whereabouts is scarce, but we will update you as new intel comes in. She was last seen this morning at (give a location). Should you choose to accept this mission, text hq at (your phone number) when you have reached this location. The fate of the free world rests in your hands, Agent Bob. This message will not self destruct in 5 seconds!”

Adapt the “mission” to suit the scenario you have chosen. If a gift, Agent Bob has to retrieve the package before it falls into the wrong hands, etc. If a personal encounter, Nefarious Nancy might be the way to go.

From there you can either text message your hunter with updated “intel”, or send them a photo, or leave a clue at the location, or any combination of all the above.. With the help of an accomplice, you could even be in the photos, just slipping out of the frame, etc. Just in case I haven’t said it before, imagination is the key to all romantic games, including the modern treasure hunt! So go wild, and have fun with your Twenty-First Century Treasure Hunt!

Photo courtesy of ukslim, licensed under a Creative Commons license

Related Articles

• Finding Permission Through Play (3)