Wild Goose Chase: noun. A foolish and hopeless search for or pursuit of something unattainable. –Oxford English Dictionary.
And yet, the invitation was clear: Frosh Mentoring Goose Chase: 7:45 PM, POETS. The email then went on to promise fun, games, and learning experiences, and ended with the magical words: “free dinner.” Despite the worrying name, a number of Frosh were intrigued enough to be at POETS at the indicated hour. What would this “goose chase” be? With memories of Frosh Week still fresh in their minds, some first years worried about staggering tasks and sudden humiliation.
However, when the frosh arrived, they were welcomed and placed into teams by friendly and helpful upper years. It turned out that the Goose Chase was a treasure hunt, with the prize being a stuffed goose. However, to obtain the goose, the teams would have to race one another around campus, following twelve clues that led to vastly different parts of the campus. With the clock ticking, the teams set out with only an hour to find their goose.
To their dismay, each clue seemed to indicate a building at least a thousand miles away from the building it was found in. The wiser upper years immediately took the lead, showing the Frosh the fastest ways around campus. Some were startled to discover the sheer extent of the underground tunnels; others panted behind leaders who suddenly, cruelly, turned out to be long-distance runners.
The clues took many forms: some were pictures, others riddles, and at least one was in cipher. This lead to some confusion and plenty of frustration (“Oh, it meant the DC Fishbowl!”), and, in some strange cases, even the leaders’ experience failed them. As it turns out, everyone gets lost in the MC building, and it is difficult to search for an envelope taped to the wall when there is a formal event going on.
Far too soon, the clock read 9:15, and the teams reluctantly made their way back to POETS. Reluctantly, except for Team #1, who returned exultant, bearing eleven clues. A different team returned with the goose, but the judges determined that they had cheated not presented the correct number of clues. No one denied Team #1 their victory, as all had had a splendid time and, tired, were now busy gorging on pizza. Only one team was entirely successful, but the event’s success was legendary!
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