ABOUT ULTIMATE TREASURE HUNTS

Deborah Humiston has been competing, organizing events and teaching orienteering skills for 12 years. Her original introduction to the excitement of map navigation came from an inspired teacher when she was in junior high. The confidence that comes from making decisions, solving problems and trusting your own knowledge is useful in all areas of one’s life, but it wasn’t until she had children of her own that she saw how these skills could help others in the same way they helped her.

Having a biological science degree from the University of Vermont, Deb found that her true inspiration came from teaching children and adults from her extensive background in art and wilderness skills. She home schooled her children for 10 years and she says, “I was compelled to show them as many wonderful things about the world as I could pack into a day.” Today, her kids are: an accomplished musician, a professional dog sled driver, and an 13 year old that is into everything.

From the experience of working with people of all ages came the incentive to pursue orienteering as a way to reach a person’s inner strength. “I found that school children of all ages were very open to the lessons that orienteering offers. Map and compass skills relate philosophically to life and ‘finding one’s way’. I can offer the same magnitude of fun, adventure, and learning to kids or adults in different settings like schools, parties, corporate events and social gatherings.”

It was in May, 2002, that she was introduced, by a fellow orienteer, to the concept of an organized treasure hunt. Orienteering is a type of treasure hunt, but his method simplified the game with a hand drawn map, clues directed at the age/ability of the participants, and an actual treasure chest to motivate them to understand the map.

Traveling to Sweden for the largest orienteering event in the world (information on Oringen here), as well as Australia and all over North America expanded her toolbox of lessons and ideas to teach orienteering in the states. It also gave her connections to people and places around the world. She says, “The United States will really benefit from orienteering skills that much of rest of the world already understands.”

From the experience of working with people of all ages came the incentive to pursue orienteering as a way to reach a person’s inner strength. “I found that school children of all ages were very open to the lessons that orienteering offers. Map skills relate philosophically to life and ‘finding one’s way’. I can offer the same magnitude of fun, adventure, and learning to kids or adults in different settings like schools, parties, corporate events and social gatherings.”

Deborah Humiston lives in the seacoast area of New Hampshire.