So this is a family friendly event, right? Is it open to all ages?

Yes. It’s all-ages friendly. You do have to be 14 years old to sign up as an official team member, but kids of all ages can help their parents and play along. (Infants probably won’t be much help except as props, but we encourage you to get them to do some heavy lifting if you can. They’re such slackers.)

Can you give me an idea of what type of challenges we’ll be asked to complete? 

It runs the gamut, so there really is something for everyone — no matter what your age or skill level. Some items will challenge you to create something crafty out of household materials, others might require you to do something kind or something on the Internet, or solve a puzzle or riddle, or even sing or dance. 

How did you choose the charities that will benefit from this?

Childhood hunger is an issue that resonates with me — I grew up in poverty and while my mother always made sure we had enough to eat, we had plenty of meals from soup kitchens or scarce goods. So when I learned that low-income families were struggling to feed kids and that because schools had been closed due to the pandemic, kids were missing out on hundreds of thousands of meals, I felt like we had an obligation to step up to the plate (so to speak). No Kid Hungry and Save the Children are both fiscally responsible charities that feed kids in need, so they were logical choices. And Random Acts is a no-brainer for me. 

Tell me how this is different from (and the same as) the official GISH scavenger hunt you host every year.

The thing most veteran GISH participants might notice first is that it’s much shorter — this Hunt will only last one day. But unlike the annual Hunt, it’s also a no-pressure event. We’re focusing on bringing the community together and doing some good while having some fun, and making the most of a difficult situation. 

How did you even get into the business of inspiring people to help others through scavenger hunts? 

Back when I was in college at University of Chicago, they ran a scavenger hunt every year that was esoteric, weird, and a bright spot in a difficult and dismal year. I always looked forward to it.  

In later years, I had a long list of art projects I never got around to completing. One day, I realized I could crowd-source the projects so they would come to fruition, and maybe motivate some people to push their boundaries and do some good in the process. So I blatantly ripped off my alma mater, made some small changes, and GISH was born. 

What are you doing to stay sane with your kids right now?