Haymarket Scavenger Hunt

A day out with Dad

On Tuesday, the Twins and I ventured to the Town of Haymarket for a Scavenger Hunt. This is a great free activity organized by the town that provides parents with the opportunity to sharpen the skills their child needs to be productive citizens.

It started in Town Hall, where the kids were given their passports and the rules and found the first clue. The rhyming clues were cleverly written, leading the kids to historical locations that are now filled with local businesses. At each stop, the kids would practice their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills by reading the clues, deciphering the message, and writing down the answers in their passports.

As a reward for completing the scavenger hunt, the girls got these awesome shirts!

Walking from business to business in the town was a great opportunity for the kids to learn, observe, and obey traffic rules. They stopped at every intersection, looked both ways before crossing the street, and waited for the signal before crossing. They worked on their social skills by walking into the businesses, introducing themselves, and sharing the town's history they learned on their journey. Did you know Town Hall was originally Gossom’s Groceries, built in the 1860s?

Did you know Trouvaille used to be Gainesville Elementary School until 1994? The girls got to see where Daddy learned to read and write.

And they learned where Daddy used to have recess. I told them of my heroic Kick Ball Victories! LOL

After our scavenger hunt in the hot July sun, we drove over to Baskin Robbins Gainesville to cool off with a sweet treat. The girls got their favorites: cookies and cream and mint chocolate chip. They also practiced their acting chops by helping Daddy film a commercial for The Very Flannel Dino. This is one of the best parts of being a father. When I get to be a kid with my kids but with the knowledge of a dad. The girls and I had a blast just being goofy and making something together.

Here are the fruits of our labor. The girls were great! Unfortunately, Daddy made a big mistake by looking at the calendar incorrectly. The Very Flannel Dino reading is on August 15th, not August 22nd! Please join us at Vita Nova in Nokesville from 10 AM to 11 AM for story time!

Thank you to the Town of Haymarket and all the businesses that participated in the activity! My girls loved it. Learning about our community's history helps build a stronger community.