SAT APR 10, 2010 - It's time to go cowhuntin' again!

Don’t worry, we’re not really hunting cows. The Cowhunt is what we’re calling our own version of an urban adventure where teams solve clues, photograph themselves as proof they were at the clue location, and race to the finish line (location tbd) for prizes. It’s a play on the word coworking, which is sometimes pronounced in jest as cow-orking. And while we’re not sure what is involved with orking a cow, we think the big mammals are fun and cute enough to use as our mascot for our urban adventure.

It’s a fun, great way to experience the city. Proceeds from this event will be donated to an entrepreneurial cause, organisation, or event. If you know of a great one we should consider, please let us know.

Choose a partner (or let us know if you need a partner and we’ll randomly match you with someone else who needs a partner  sale of individual tickets have now ended), register yourselves, and have fun!

Must be 19yrs of age or older. Space is limited. Registration starts at 11:00am, and the Cowhunt starts at 12:00am on Sat Apr 10, 2010.

We’ll be using the hashtag #cowhunt on Twitter, so if you’re tweeting about it, please use the same hashtag.

We will have some awesome prizes and other cool things lined up from our sponsors who rock:

Crumpler Toronto Hair by Miranda Camaraderie Coworking Inc

Official #Cowhunt Rules

START
The Cowhunt will start at 12:00pm (noon) on Sat Apr 10, 2010, however cowhunters are encouraged to arrive up to 1hr before the event start time to check in at the registration table. The start location will be at the gazebo in St James Park, right across from our office at 102 Adelaide St E. Cowhunters will have another opportunity to revisit the official rules and other official event details at the start location.

TEAMS
Each team is made up of two Cowhunters that are at least 19yrs of age. Teams can form by themselves. or individuals can register and be teamed up at random by Camaraderie staff. Cowhunters are encouraged to dress comfortably and appropriate to the weather forecast of the day. Cowhunters do not need to be in top physical form; this is an event that can be done by anyone who is mobile. Teams may elect to ask friends or family to be their official go-to Support team members to help solve clues. These Supporters may not be physically with teams during the event, but can contacted by any means the team sees fit (phone, e-mail, etc). Supporters will not be recognised officially as part of the team, but teams are encouraged to give thanks where thanks is due. Supporters can, however, be at the finish location (tbd) to celebrate with their team.

CLUES
At the start of the race, teams will be given an identical list of clues that contains 10 or more clues of varying difficulty levels to decipher and solve. There will be a mixture of physical and mental clues. Teams can use any sort of device needed to solve clues and find locations, including phones, laptops, smartphones, and GPS devices. Teams are permitted to use wifi hotspots, internet cafés, or any other form of internet connectivity to solve clues.

LOCATIONS
Deciphered clues will lead Cowhunters to publicly accessible locations. These may be buildings, restaurants, galleries, landmarks, public art, or anything accessible to the public. Teams will not need to enter into buildings to obtain proof of solved clues. All locations will be within the boundaries of Bloor/Front/Ossington/Sherbourne.

TRANSPORTATION
Teams are only allowed to participate by foot or TTC public transportation (buses, streetcars, and subway). Teams are not allowed to use any other form of transportation, electric, motor, or manual, including but not limited to bikes, rollerblades, skateboards, cabs, or cars. If it isn’t feet on the ground or TTC vehicles, do not use it!

*note: We regret that this event is not suitable for people who require assistive devices, and the finish location may require a flight of stairs.

QUALIFICATION
Each team member must wear an official race number and it must remain visible at all times during the event; one cowhunter must wear it on the front of their torso and one must wear it on the back of their torso or clearly places on a backpack. Each team must carry with them either a digital camera, camera phone, or Polaroid camera. A minimum of one camera per team is required. Teams must take a picture of both of their faces together in front of the location in clear view. iPhone users should practice prior to the event! Photos will be verified by Camaraderie staff (Staff) at the finish location. Each incorrect clue will add 15mins to the final time. Cowhunters are responsible for the care and function of their own electronic devices used in the event.

CHEATING
Cheating is not allowed! Staff will be positioned within the event boundaries to watch for cheaters. Other teams are encouraged to take pictures of cheating individuals or teams. Valid photographic proof of cheating will disqualify a team completely and cheaters will not be entitled to a refund. Cheating also includes preventing other teams from obtaining proof of a location. Staff will have the final say on disqualification.

FINISHING
When the minimum number of locations have been visited and proof obtained, both cowhunters must return to the finish location (will be announced closer to the event date) to check in with Camaraderie staff. Staff will verify that the first 10 photos presented are correct and calculate a score. The fastest team may take 1.5hrs to solve all clues and visit each location to obtain proof. All teams must return to the finish location within 3hrs of the start of the event. Teams that take longer than 3hrs will be disqualified. The closing ceremony (including prizes!) will take place at the announced finish location at 4:00pm the day of the event.

NEW THIS YEAR
Bring in old or broken phones to donate to HopePhones and get 5 seconds per phone deducted from your final finish time. Though you are encouraged to donate as many phones as you'd like, there is a maximum of 24 phones allowed for time deduction, for a maximum of 2 minutes.

WINNING
The object of completing the event is to produce as many correct solutions to the official list of clues in the shortest amount of time. Prizes awarded will include a grand prize winner for the most correct solutions within the fastest time. Other prizes will also be available.

LEGAL NOTES
Rules may be subject to change without notice, but final official rules will be available at the start location. Cowhunters are individually responsible for knowing and understanding the rules. Decisions to interpret the rules will be made by Staff and will be final. Staff may choose to disqualify any cowhunter or team for any reason at any time. Cowhunters have no right to appeal or refund or review decisions. Cowhunters will be required to sign a waiver at the registration table of the event at the start location.

OTHER NOTES

• The event will take place in any weather.
• Teams must adhere to and obey all municipal and provincial laws during the Cowhunt, including laws pertaining to pedestrians. Cowhunters are solely responsible for their own actions and associated consequences.
• Teams are encouraged to dress in costume – a prize for the best costume will be determined by Staff and awarded at the finish location.
• Cowhunters are encouraged to dress comfortably and be prepared for any weather or circumstance. Cowhunters are also encouraged to bring whatever might be necessary to remain comfortable, including but not limited to water bottles, backpacks, hats, snacks, etc.
• Teams are encouraged to upload all pictures from the Cowhunt to a flickr group for all to see. Cowhunters are also encouraged to tweet or blog about the event beforehand, during, or after the event. If posting to Twitter, please use the hashtag #cowhunt.
• This is meant to be a fun adventure. Be safe and don’t be a jerk.

Moo.

Questions? rachel[at]camaraderie.ca