Frequently Asked Questions

How did Rootles get started?
How many people do I need for a hunt?
Can children and adults participate in the same hunt?
How do we pick teams?
Where will the hunt take place?
What is the difference between a "standard" and a "custom" hunt?
How long does a hunt last?
What will the clues look like?
What happens if it rains?
How much does a hunt cost?

How did Rootles get started?

When Rootles^® founder, John Poor, was younger a family friend would create hunts on special weekends. They were often quite involved and very intricate. They often required hours to solve, and were a wonderful way to spend time with family. As he grew older John began creating similar hunts for other occasions. After working in education for a couple of years, John decided to combine the elements of education and hunt design into one and make the idea larger; Rootles^® was born.

How many people do I need for a hunt?

You can have as many or as few people as you like for a Rootles^® hunt. We’ve designed them for as many as 500 and as few as two participants. The number of people you are interested in including in the hunt will influence aspects of the hunt such as number and size of teams, however, group size is not a limitation in hunt design.

Can children and adults participate in the same hunt?

Yes! A Rootles^® hunt is an ideal activity for a group encompassing a broad age range. During the course of a hunt, different individuals may work to solve the clues while others search out hidden clue locations. For example, while adults may enjoy solving the word puzzle that leads the group to a bunch of bushes, the kids will likely be eager to root around in the shrubs to find the hidden clue. Each person, regardless of age, will be able to contribute to the team.

How do we pick teams?

That’s entirely up to your group. For a team building activity, your group organizer may wish to carefully select the members of each team. For a family reunion or wedding event, you may wish to design groups so that participants may meet new people or reconnect with old friends. Or you can just leave it to us, and we’ll designate teams when the Rootles representative arrives to start the hunt.

Where will the hunt take place?

Hunts can take place wherever you wish. Rootles^® is developing standard hunts all around the Front Range of Colorado and we are available to visit your desired location, wherever it is, to design a hunt that will fit the back yard or the back forty. Remember, designing a hunt for a new location takes a bit of time, so be sure to contact us well in advance of your event.

What is the difference between a "standard" and a "custom" hunt?

A standard hunt is one in a pre-defined area where hunts are regularly offered. A custom hunt is one designed on site for your group, at a location of your choosing. A standard hunt provides a lower cost option, while a custom hunt offers complete creative flexibility for your group. We would be happy to discuss these options with you, as they relate to your specific event.

How long does a hunt last?

A hunt’s duration can be anywhere from an hour to weeks, depending on the nature of the clues. The most common Rootles^® hunts take approximately 2 hours to complete as we have discovered that this amount of time is optimal for exploration.

What will the clues look like?

Rootles^® will design clues that best fit your participants. During our first conversations we will ask you details about your group, such as age and areas of professional or personal interest. Though we will try to create a diverse selection of clues, the information we gather from our conversation will help us cater to them to your participants, more specifically.

What happens if it rains?

We have found the weather can play a wonderful role in the nature of a hunt. Sometimes when it rains, people are forced to discover how best to read the clues, while protecting their information at the same time. Of course, if the weather is truly horrendous, Rootles^® will make modifications to a hunt or find some way to compensate the group.

How much does a hunt cost?

The scale and complexity of a hunt determine the cost, so Rootles^® works on the bid process. That said, Rootles can design a hunt to match your budget. The number of participants and clues will directly affect the price of a hunt, as well as how the hunt is structured. After our initial conversations, a Rootles^® representative will prepare an estimate for your group's desired hunt. We will submit this estimate for your perusal and request a non-refundable 50% percent deposit before we begin designing the hunt. The balance of the fees will be paid on the day of the hunt.