‘Get a clue’ at the library:
A summer adventure on
Portage’s Clue Trail
By Matthew Downey and Marsha Meyer
For the first
time ever, Portage will treat residents and visitors to a summer-time
Clue Trail. This collaboration between Portage District Library and
the City of Portage Parks and Recreation Department with a sponsorship
by
Maple Hill Auto Group will result in a summer adventure for children,
youth and adults that no one should miss.
“We want people to
become familiar with Portage Parks, the Library and other Portage cultural
venues,” stated
Portage District Library’s Adult Services Librarian Marsha Meyer
at a recent planning meeting with Bill Deming, Director of Portage’s
Parks and Recreation Department.
The Portage Library Clue Trail is
perfect for anyone – young adults, families, church groups (youth
and adult), visiting families, local families, retirees, new residents,
etc.
“All
summer people call the Library and ask, ‘What’s going on?’ This
is an activity that we can have going on throughout the summer months,” Ms.
Meyer adds.
Not familiar with what a Clue Trail is?
Also referred to
as “Letterboxing”, Clue Trail is “an intriguing pastime
combining navigational skills and rubber stamp artistry in a charming ‘treasure
hunt’ style outdoor quest.” This is according to Letterboxing
North America (www.letterboxing.org).
The Portage District Library’s
Clue Trail will combine a mix of treasure hunting, art, navigation,
and exploration of interesting, scenic, and often familiar places in
a more
detailed way.
Here’s the basic idea: waterproof boxes will be
hidden in secret locations at Portage parks and cultural centers like
Celery
Flats and the Portage District Library. Local authors are writing clues
to each of these locations—clues meant to challenge the quiet
explorer in all of us. Beginning June 16th, hunters will find the clues
to these
boxes at the Portage District Library and at the City of Portage offices
as well as on both of their respective websites.
Each box will contain
a logbook and a carved ru
bber stamp. Hunters in possession of the clues
attempt to find the boxes. In addition to the clues and any maps or
tools needed to solve the puzzle, the hunter should carry a pencil,
a compass,
a personal rubber stamp, an inkpad, and a “passport” or
personal logbook. The box’s logbook keeps a record of all its
visitors, and the hunters keep a record of all the boxes they found,
stamping their passport with the stamp in the box.
Clue Trail officially
begins Saturday, June 16th, but participants can register as early
as June 8th, 9:00 AM at the Library. It will then culminate with an “X
Hits the Spot Ice Cream Social” on August 2nd from 6:30-7:30
pm in the lower level patio at Portage District Library. At the social,
hunters will have plenty of opportunity to compare notes and adventures
with the other participants.
All successful hunters will be eligible
for a raffle. Some of the prizes include a GPS Tracking System (Garmin
Nuvi 360 Personal Travel Assistant) donated by Maple Hill Auto Group,
subscriptions to Greater Guide Southwest Michigan Magazine and other
donated prizes.
For more information, contact Portage District Library,
300 Library Lane, Portage, MI 49002, (269)329-4544 ext 600 or visit:
www.portagelibrary.info. There is no cost for participation.
Summer Library Hours
Monday – Thursday 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
