I have always loved those commercials where the parents surprise the kids with a trip to Disney. They choke me up. However, surprises in schedule and ASD kids don’t always mix well. My kids get upset if I don’t remind them they have scouts that night or if I forget to let them know we have an orthodontist appointment after school.
DH and I discussed it and we decided to “surprise” the kids by telling about the vacation on Firstborn’s birthday. That way they would have a couple of months to process the information and save their money for any extra souvenirs.
I wish I could say I made one of those adorable “Countdown to Disney” calendars I’ve seen, but no–it was all I could do to get the cookies made.
We tied the scavenger hunt into our other planned summer activities and with book series they all love.
First clue setup: we were eating pizza at Firstborn’s favorite pizzeria. I asked the wait staff to come by with a letter I had prepared, and to say it had been dropped off by owl. Firstborn happens to be a HUGE owl fan at the moment.
First Clue:
Dear Misters and Miss Macindaw (not our real name of course),
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into the Macindaw Summer School of Literary Themed Skill Learning. Please find enclosed the opening portion of the list of all of the necessary and books and equipment as well as subjects. (You’ll need to be clever and as diligent as Harry was in searching for Horcruxes if you want to find the rest).
Term begins on June 13. We await your owls no later than Thursday.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva Macindaw (aka Mom)
Headmistress
Uniform:
All students will require:
T-shirts and shorts most of the time
Swimming suits
Eighth, sixth and fifth year students will require:
Scout uniforms
You’ve been eating in a great dining hall, but to complete your search, you must return to your home and find the place where your favorite aquatic friends dwell. Watch out for the giant squid’s nemesis–Mamu.
Second Clue Location:
The Giant Squid refers to the Harry Potter books. Mamu is the name of Lawboy’s GIGANTIC stuffed orca. This thing is seriously huge. I honestly didn’t know how we were going to get it home last year from Florida. In the end we put it in a garbage bag and he carried it onto the airplane. Anyway–the second clue was with Mamu.
Second Clue:
Percy Jackson and these animals don’t need floaties or boogie boards–but we do. Better take one along to help in case we run into the Kraken.
Third Clue Location:
Kraken is the name of one of the roller coasters they rode at Sea World last year. The floaties and boogie boards were in the garage.
Third Clue:
Congratulations, you’ve found the next portion of your book list.
Course Books/Themes:
Percy Jackson and the Olympians series
June 13-24
Swimming lessons, 8th and 6th years will work towards swimming merit badges
Archery Practice
Shield making
Chariot driving (biking)
Phalanx training
Capturing your Muse: or playing a musical instrument
Of course it’s not all swimming and playing war games– Camp Half-Blood has lots of different activities–including arts and crafts. Let’s mold something with our hands. Make sure you bring the alligator with you.
Fourth Clue Location:
This last clue was the first time I had them start gathering things on their journey around our home. The fourth clue was with the arts and crafts supplies–specifically the playdough.
Fourth Clue:
The Labyrinth Percy and Annabeth and the others traveled was like a logic puzzle at times. Maybe we should try a puzzle of our own. Take a cookie cutter with you.
Fifth Clue Location:
The puzzle shelf. It is near the dress-up box. I put their mouse ears with the dress-ups.
Fifth Clue:
On second thought, I think Wizard Chess is more my game. Each of you better take a helmet/hat for head protection. Wizard Chess can be brutal!
Sixth Clue Location:
They took the Mouse ears with them. The clue was with Whirlwind’s chess set.
Sixth Clue:
Congratulations children, you’ve found your next portion of your curriculum/book list.
Harry Potter Week(s)
Potions (cooking)
Transfiguration (art projects/building)
Herbology (gardening)
Astronomy
wizard chess
storytelling (journalling)
Treasure hunt (geocaching)
hiking/walking –avoiding Voldemort
Using music to calm the mythical beasts
Eighth, sixth and fifth year students will see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt 2.
Professor Sprout is expecting you in Herbology. Please get your shoes and find your dragonhide gloves.
Seventh Clue Location:
The gardening supplies in the garage where we have several pairs of garden gloves.
Seventh Clue:
I would love to play Quidditch, but I’m missing my equipment. Please help me find what I need.
Eighth Clue Location:
The brooms were hanging up in the laundry area. Attached to one of the brooms was a ziplock bag with chocolate covered pretzel rods (the really long kind).
Eighth Clue:
Congratulations on finding your brooms and wands. You’re ready to tackle Hogwarts–just don’t go near the Forbidden Forest. Though if you had a Ranger like Halt to help you learn how to navigate the forest you just might survive. Bring your wands for magic and your Ranger weapons. (If you don’t have them on you, better go find them–it’s where the next clue is).
Ninth Clue Location:
The seventh clue alludes to another of their favorite series, The Ranger’s Apprentice by John Flanagan. The Ranger Corps are famously good with their bows and arrows. The boys had to check their closet and find the bows and arrows.
Ninth Clue:
You remembered your bow & arrows! Good job. You’ve now also got your training topics as a young ranger. Remember that an important quality of all rangers is a sense of curiosity. It’s also asking when you don’t know the answer. If we don’t know the answers–where might we look for them?
Ranger’s Apprentice weeks
Forestry
Archery
Wilderness Survival
jongleur training
Other Possible topics:
Orienteering
Wilderness Survival
Tenth Clue Location:
We don’t have a hard-bound encyclopedia set, but we do a lot of research online. This clue sent them to the family computer. The CD mentioned was a mix of Disney songs.
Tenth Clue:
A good jongleur knows it’s important to have a good repertoire of music to entertain. Turn on the computer, log in and play the CD in the CD drive to give you music to help you be on your merry way. If you want to play some of the music you’ll have to look for it.
Eleventh Clue Location:
The jongleur clue refers to the Ranger’s Apprentice books again. Will (the main character) had learned to play at mandola and had to go undercover as a traveling, singing performer (jongleur). The kids had to go to our living room which acts as our music room. The clue was hiding in the piano bench.
Eleventh Clue:
Ahh, the sweet sounds of music. Many bards throughout the years have told stories to music. Some have just told them and others have drawn them on the walls. Sadie and Carter have learned to read the writing on the wall. Have you?
Twelfth Clue Location:
I have some vinyl signs in our living room. The clue was taped to the back of one of the phrases. Sadie and Carter are the two main characters in the Kane Chronicles series by Rick Riordan.
Twelfth Clue:
The amulets Sadie and Carter had in the first Kane Chronicles book were vital to the story. Mom’s jewelry is pretty, but not life changing.
Kane Chronicles subject list
visit Museum of Natural History
Reading Merit badge–Egypt
communications
Genealogy
Personal Management
Archaeology
Record keeping (Scrapbooking)
Thirteenh Clue Location:
My jewelry box on top of my Mickey Mouse earrings.
Thirteenth Clue:
Sadie and Carter come from two important family lines. They ought to record their family memories. Find our family memory book that goes along with the music. Bring the earrings that match it too.
Fourteenth Clue Location:
We have a bookcase where I keep all the scrapbooks/family histories. The new scrapbook I made (It was digital and then I had it printed) was sticking out a bit from the rest of the scrapbooks. The clue was sticking out with it.
Fourteenth Clue:
Upon completion of the summer’s activities we will have a graduation from the Macindaw School of Literary Themed Learning. Please turn to the back flap of the book to find out where that will be taking place.
Last Clues…
The back flap said, “Surprise kids! We’re heading back to Disney World and to Harry Potter world this Fall, 2011.”
There was a final envelope tucked in behind the flap.
Dear Misters and Miss Macindaw,
Congratulations Children! You’ve successfully navigated the search for the missing book lists, and have completed your initial journey into the literary world. Upon completion of this summer’s activities, you will hopefully have earned merit badges, gained new knowledge, new skills and new confidence. We have every faith that you will not only excel in your studies, but have a wonderful time in doing so.
We hope you apply yourselves in the learning of these important subjects.
Enclosed is the complete list.
After you read this list, we ask that you go to the cupboard under the stairs and find your final reward. Bring the book with you.
We look forward to seeing you the first day term. June 6, 2011.
Sincerely,
Minerva Macindaw (aka Mom)
Headmistress
Second Page:
Uniform:
All students will require:
T-shirts and shorts most of the time
Swimming suits
Eighth, sixth and fifth year students will require:
Scout uniforms
Course Books/Themes:
Percy Jackson and the Olympians series
Swimming lessons June 13-24 , 8th and 6th years will work towards swimming merit badges
Archery Practice
Shield making
Chariot driving (biking)
Phalanx training
Capturing your Muse: or playing a musical instrument
Harry Potter
Potions (cooking)
Transfiguration (art projects)
Herbology (gardening)
Astronomy
wizard chess
storytelling (journaling)
Treasure hunt (geocaching)
hiking/walking –avoiding Voldemort
Using music to calm the mythical beasts
Eighth, sixth and fifth year students will see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt 2.
Ranger’s Apprentice
Forestry
Archery
Wilderness Survival
jongleur training
Other Possible topics:
Orienteering
Wilderness Survival
Kane Chronicles
visit Museum of Natural History
Reading Merit badge–Egypt books
Communications
Genealogy
Personal Management
Archaeology
Record keeping (Scrapbooking)
We hope you apply yourselves in the learning of these important subjects /Merit Badges/ Cub awards
Orienteering
Reading
Wilderness Survival
Family Life
personal management
geocacheing
emergency preparedeness
personal fitness
communications
reading
Maybe our journey will inspire you to create one of your own. If so, Happy Hunting!
