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The Scavenger Hunt

‘Break’s over, Student Leaders!’ Ms Applebee waited for the chatter to subside. ‘We’ll start the Scavenger Hunt on my whistle, but first let’s review the instructions.’

Indy shifted in her chair. They’d been sitting all morning, and she was ready to move. She studied her map, double-checking her strategy.

‘Five counsellors, five hiding spots,’ Ms Applebee was saying. ‘Get their signatures and return to the Learning Centre. If the bell rings before you finish, come back anyway.’ She paused, and Indy blew out a frustrated breath.

‘Remember, this isn’t just for fun,’ Ms Applebee continued. ‘It’s an opportunity to practise leadership skills. Good luck.’ Finally, she blew the whistle.

Indy sprang up. ‘Let’s go,’ she told her partner. What was her name again? Kaylin.

Kaylin stayed seated. ‘Maybe we should make a plan. Can I see the map?’

‘It’s okay,’ Indy said quickly. Other teams were already heading out the door. ‘I have a good route. Boathouse, dining hall, Oak Cabin, cricket pitch, ropes course.’

Kaylin frowned. ‘But—’

‘We can talk on the way. Come on!’

Indy took off. Usually, the best way to get people to follow you was to start moving.

They found one counsellor behind the boathouse, another in the kitchen and a third in Oak Cabin’s shower cubicle. ‘You guys are fast,’ the third counsellor said, signing their map.

‘Three down, two to go,’ Indy announced as the cabin door slapped closed behind them. She bounced on the balls of her feet. ‘Ready?’

Kaylin nodded. ‘Let’s go to the ropes course next.’

‘What? No! The cricket pitch is right over that hill.’

‘But we’d have to—’

Again, Indy dashed off, and soon she heard Kaylin puffing behind her. When they reached the hilltop, they could see the cricket pitch across a field of tall, waving grasses.

‘See?’ Indy said triumphantly.

‘Yes, but—’

Indy pounded down the hill and plunged into the tall grass. Looking over her shoulder, she saw that Kaylin was hanging back, apparently reluctant to follow. Ugh. It was like being partners with a stubborn mule.

The ground squelched beneath her feet, but Indy kept going. Then her feet sunk into something. She looked down; she was in mud practically up to the tops of her trainers. Shielding her eyes with her hand, she peered ahead. A stream was blocking the cricket pitch.

Indy groaned and turned back. A cloud of midges followed her, and by the time she reached Kaylin, she was covered in bites. ‘It’s a marsh,’ she said irritably.

‘I know.’

Indy stared at Kaylin. ‘You know? Why didn’t you say?’

Kaylin folded her arms tightly and stared back, her lips pressed together. ‘I tried.’

‘No, you . . .’ Indy’s voice trailed off, and she looked at the mud-spattered map. There was a bridge by the ropes course. That’s why Kaylin had wanted to go to the ropes course first.

Indy bit her lip. All morning the counsellors had said things like ‘Good leaders listen’ and ‘Good leaders realise they don’t have all the answers’ and ‘Good leaders see value in others’ opinions.’ Blah blah blah, Indy had thought. Now, her cheeks burned.

She made herself meet Kaylin’s eyes. ‘I’m sorry. I really am.’ She held out the map. ‘You say what to do next.’

Kaylin just stood there, as if too surprised to move. Then she smiled and gently plucked a leaf out of Indy’s hair. ‘Let’s decide together.’