Rock-Spotter

Rock Hunts - iSpy Style

Rock Hunts are scavenger hunt style challenges where participants find specific rocks based on clues and hints. This document explains how the hunt system works.

Concept

Inspired by “Where’s Waldo” and “iSpy” games, Rock Hunts allow users to:

How It Works

For Hunt Creators

  1. Select Rocks: Choose rocks you’ve already posted to include in the hunt
  2. Add Hints: Provide helpful clues for each rock (e.g., “Near the old oak tree”)
  3. Set Order: Determine the sequence rocks should be found in (optional)
  4. Configure Hunt:
    • Title and description
    • Difficulty level (easy, medium, hard)
    • Start and end dates
    • Maximum participants (optional)
  5. Activate: Make the hunt available to the community

For Participants

  1. Browse Hunts: View available hunts filtered by:
    • Active status
    • Difficulty level
    • Location
    • Creator
  2. Join Hunt: Register to participate
  3. View Clues: See hints for each rock
  4. Find Rocks: Use hints and location data to locate rocks
  5. Mark as Found: Verify you found the rock (future: photo verification)
  6. Track Progress: Monitor how many rocks you’ve found
  7. Complete Hunt: Find all rocks to earn achievements

Hunt Types

Public Hunts

Limited Hunts

Time-Limited Hunts

Difficulty Levels

Easy

Medium

Hard

Hunt Features

Progress Tracking

Each participant’s progress includes:

Hints System

Each rock in a hunt can have:

Participation

Creating Effective Hunts

Best Practices

  1. Rock Selection
    • Choose visually distinctive rocks
    • Ensure rocks are still in location
    • Mix difficulty levels within a hunt
    • Use high-quality photos
  2. Hint Writing
    • Be descriptive but not too specific
    • Use landmarks or features
    • Consider accessibility
    • Test hints with friends first
  3. Location Planning
    • Keep hunts in a reasonable geographic area
    • Consider safe, accessible locations
    • Respect private property
    • Follow Leave No Trace principles
  4. Timing
    • Allow sufficient time for completion
    • Consider weather and seasons
    • Account for participant availability
    • Weekend hunts tend to be more popular

Example Hunt: “Downtown Discovery”

Title: Downtown Discovery Rock Hunt
Difficulty: Medium
Duration: 1 week
Rocks: 7

Rocks and Hints:

  1. “Granite Guardian” - “Standing watch where water flows downtown” (Near city fountain)
  2. “Library Stone” - “Between pages of knowledge and wisdom” (Outside library)
  3. “Park Pebble” - “Where children play and dogs roam free” (Dog park)
  4. “Bridge Boulder” - “Underneath where two sides meet” (Under bridge)
  5. “Garden Gem” - “Among the flowers in the public garden” (Botanical garden)
  6. “Historic Rock” - “Where the city began its story” (Historic monument)
  7. “Hidden Treasure” - “Behind the art, not on the walls” (Behind art museum)

Hunt Rewards

Completion Achievements

Creator Achievements

Special Badges

Future Enhancements

Photo Verification

Leaderboards

Social Features

Advanced Features

Safety Guidelines

For Creators

For Participants

Environmental Considerations

Rock hunting should be:

Examples of Great Hunts

“Geology 101”

Educational hunt featuring different rock types with information about their formation and characteristics.

“City History Trail”

Hunt combining geology with local history, featuring rocks at historic sites.

“Family Fun Hunt”

Easy, kid-friendly hunt in parks and public spaces.

“Extreme Rock Challenge”

Advanced hunt for serious rock enthusiasts covering a large area with cryptic clues.

“Seasonal Special”

Limited-time hunt celebrating a season or holiday with themed rocks.

Technical Details

Database Structure

{
  title: String,
  description: String,
  creator: ObjectId (User),
  rocks: [{
    rock: ObjectId (Rock),
    hint: String,
    order: Number
  }],
  difficulty: String (easy/medium/hard),
  participants: [{
    user: ObjectId,
    rocksFound: [ObjectId],
    completed: Boolean,
    completedAt: Date,
    startedAt: Date
  }],
  startDate: Date,
  endDate: Date,
  isActive: Boolean,
  maxParticipants: Number
}

API Endpoints

See API.md for complete endpoint documentation.

Key endpoints:

Remember: The goal is to have fun, explore the outdoors, learn about geology, and connect with fellow rock enthusiasts! Happy hunting! 🪨🔍

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