Self Guided Hunts:
How do I play one?
Solo / Team Treasure Hunting
Our treasure hunts are information-based scavenger hunts, or puzzle hunts, in which players use their brainpower to solve clues. Using the free ClueKeeper app on your phone, you will be presented with a series of puzzles, or clues, which must be solved in order to find a piece of information.
Each clue leads to a location within walking distance of the start, where players must find and use a vital piece of information to answer a question. This information could be words from a historical plaque, a series of numbers or an address, a landmark, or any other unique item that many of us walking down the street might merely pass by, unless we were looking for it.
Then, travel through the streets of the playing area to find all of the information. Once all clues are solved the app will let you know you have completed the hunt. You may complete the hunt at your own pace, but the app does track progress on a leaderboard, so if you wish, you may compete against others who have previously played the event. Most self-guided hunts last between 1 to 2 hours, depending on personal speed.
Getting Started
I’m ready to go for it. What do I do to get started?
Fantastic! All you need do is click on the self-guided hunt you wish to play. This will open up a window to the corresponding page at ClueKeeper where you can purchase a Hunt Code for the Mastermind self-guided hunt you’ve selected. There you will pay for the hunt.
If you haven’t already, download the ClueKeeper app to the device you’ll be using for the hunt.
Then, open the app on your device and enter the Hunt Code. The hunt will download to your device.
Each of our hunts comes with materials that should be printed prior to playing. This will consist primarily of a custom map needed to guide you to the correct locations. These will be noted on ClueKeeper. Be sure to download these and print them at home prior to playing.
Once you have each of these things you are ready to go to the starting location indicated and you will be prompted to enter a Start Code in the app. (Be sure not to enter this before you arrive at the location, however, in most cases there is a GPS gate that doesn’t allow you to enter it until you are close to the starting point.) The Start Code is given in the Hunt Introductions found in the app. Once you have arrived, and you are ready to go, enter the Start Code. Have Fun!
Quick Steps:
Select and purchase a hunt. From the Mastermind website you will be directed to a ClueKeeper page with your selected hunt.
Pay for and download the hunt.
Download ClueKeeper to your device (if you haven’t already)
Download the Hunt to your device through ClueKeeper using the Hunt Code your purchased
Print any required maps or materials
You’re ready to go!
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Solving Clues
So, I’ve got the hunt on ClueKeeper, I’m in the right starting location, and I’ve entered the Start Code. What should I expect?
The app will guide you from this point. You’ll have the option to choose which of the clues you wish to solve. The map correlates with the app information and shows you where to go to begin each set of clues.
At each clue location you will be asked to find a piece of information, solve a short puzzle, or put together a combination of both. Sometimes all you need will be at one location, other times you’ll be asked to navigate to another spot. When this happens, you’ll not be asked to do a bunch of backtracking - the next location will be reasonably close to where you are. When you’ve completed a clue, the app will indicate that you’ve finished the challenge and that you’re ready to start the next clue or clues.
Once you’ve solved all the clues, you’ll have a final puzzle to solve, which may or may not lead you to another location, but which will in all likelihood use the answers you’ve already discovered.
All puzzles are not intended to be super-hard. A small few may require paper and pencil, (or sidewalk chalk!), but shouldn’t be enough to slow you down considerably. Your day on one of our hunts is intended to be a pleasant outing, an exploration of the playing area, and a few fun challenges along the way.
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General Information
Treasure hunts and scavenger hunts are fun exercises in working with others and being aware of your environment. We learn new things about our friends, knowledge that we weren’t certain we still recalled, historical information about the city, businesses we didn’t know existed, and so much more. The hunt challenges your ability to see and notice things that we all might normally just overlook in our busy lives. Take time to appreciate some of these things that are hidden in plain sight.
You or your team will not be asked to do anything illegal, or enter areas that are not accessible to the public. Please do not do any of these things on your own. Please obey all traffic and other laws.
You are asked to be respectful of all things in the treasure hunt and to be courteous to the residents of the playing area.
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What to Bring on a Self-Guided Hunt
In addition to your smart phone, and all downloaded materials, Mastermind recommends:
Must Haves:
Your sense of adventure and an open mind!
Comfortable footwear
Writing tool – a pen or pencil to assist in solving puzzles
Recommended items:
Clipboard
Highlighter – for marking your map
Water & Snacks
Camera - in case taking a picture helps, and for documenting your day out!
Knowledge of the playing area could be helpful, but not necessary for playing.
Other Questions?
I’m playing with a team, can we split up to answer the clues? It’s generally preferable to stick together if you are playing as a team. Since the game exists on one smartphone using ClueKeeper, it doesn’t make too much sense to try and do it separately. Plus, it’s more fun to be together! If there are a bunch of you playing, consider purchasing the same hunt and loading it on two different phones and playing against each other in smaller groups.
Can I utilize resources which exist independently of the treasure hunt? Sure! We’re not sure how it would come up, but you are encouraged to use bookstores, libraries, shop vendors, people on the street, etc., to assist with clues. It improves the overall experience to interact with different people along the way.
Can I use my smartphone or mobile internet device? Of course! You’re using it for this event in any case, and while we don’t think you’ll need it as a solving aid, you may use it just in case. We do ask that you please use it responsibly (i.e., not as a way to get a final answer to a clue without actually visiting the clue location).
Can I start playing before I get to the starting location? No! Please refrain from attempting to solve the hunt before actually being on location. And, in most cases the GPS on your phone will not allow you to enter the Start Code until you arrive at the starting location.
Do we have to be on foot? It is our recommendation to play using your two feet, with the exception of those who have a physical limitation and require assisted transport to get around (wheelchairs, etc.). However, if you wish to play on bicycles, skateboards, or whatever, that’s fine. Parking can be tricky, and it is highly discouraged to use cars, trucks, taxis, buses, and the like. There should be no areas on our hunts that are inaccessible to wheelchairs.
Help! My question is not answered here. Please feel free to contact us at info@mastermindhunts.com, and we’ll do our best to help you sort it out.
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