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        riddles >> general problem-solving / chatting / whatever >> Need Creative Brains for Treasure Hunt
        
(Message started by: yourself on Feb 24^th, 2008, 11:46am)

Title: Need Creative Brains for Treasure Hunt
Post by yourself on Feb 24^th, 2008, 11:46am

Hello
I am trying to create a series of clues which lead to more clues and eventually something pleasant. This is not an 'online' event, it is for my friends and it will take place during an annual camping trip. I did one last year, but it was over really quickly and I think I need some longer clues that use cryptography, diagrams, etc.
I was hoping that this forum could give me some ideas. Here are some Examples of what I mean:
1. 3 transparencies, (clear overhead sheets) with designs that overlap in a specific way reveal another clue.
2. 3x3x3 puzzles (Suggestion from GreyLabyrinth)

I basically want anything creative and interesting. The participants are very smart, but not knowledgable in puzzles or calculus or physics etc.
And I have about a 4 mile radius of campsite to work with...

Thanks in advance
Yourself

Title: Re: Need Creative Brains for Treasure Hunt
Post by towr on Feb 24^th, 2008, 12:05pm

Something you can do is first give hints for a few geographic locations, and then they have to connect the dots to find a missing point in the pattern for a next clue.

Do the participants work as a group, groups or individually? Or a combination?

Title: Re: Need Creative Brains for Treasure Hunt
Post by yourself on Feb 24^th, 2008, 6:34pm

Thats a cool idea. There will most likely be two teams competing, but it may be three. There is a large variance in age so I will put them in groups accordingly.

Also, if you guys can think of any 'physical' riddles, like ways to make a code descrambler or stuff like the transparencies, it would be appreciated.

Also if you guys know of any other forums/sites with creative people who are good with puzzles please let me know.
Thanks

Title: Re: Need Creative Brains for Treasure Hunt
Post by towr on Feb 25^th, 2008, 1:20am

on 02/24/08 at 18:34:24, yourself wrote:

Also, if you guys can think of any 'physical' riddles, like ways to make a code descrambler or stuff like the transparencies, it would be appreciated.

You could try making something like an enigma machine. You could set it up in such a way they only need to put in the scramblers in the right order, or go as far as have them make the whole thing themselves.

There's a paper version at http://mckoss.com/Crypto/Enigma.htm But you can make an electric one with a bit of wiring, some batteries, buttons and some lights.
(If you make cylindrical scramblers, you also have that they they need to be turned in the right positions to decode. And you'll have almost the same strength of cypher the Germans had.)