Young Teams Race for Gold in Elsenburgerbos – Police Join the New Treasure Hunt

Breaking: rijswijk hosts Team-Based Treasure hunt For Youth, Police Rejoin In New Edition

Rijswijk, Netherlands – A dynamic outdoor challenge unfolded Tuesday in the Elsenburgerbos, where youths ages 12 to 23 chased gold tokens through the forest in a community-inclusive event that brought together participants, the police, and enforcement officers.

What happened

The treasure Hunt is designed for young people aged 12 to 23 and is run in cooperation with Welzijn Rijswijk, police, and enforcement. Organizers describe the day as a legal, cooperative romp in which participants seek gold pieces while authorities participate as teammates rather than adversaries.

New format, third edition

Now into its third edition, the event features a fresh structure. unlike past editions that were individual, this year’s game pits two teams against each other to maximize the number of gold bars collected. “The focus is on teamwork,” explains a longtime organizer. “Teams can chase the most pieces together, or individual performers can also come out on top.”

Rescheduled, then re-launched

Preparations began before the summer break, but the event was postponed from autumn to winter due to a code orange weather alert. The Treasure hunt ultimately proceeded as planned during the winter period, underscoring resilience in community programming.

Prizes and public involvement

Councilor Larissa Bentvelzen,who oversees youth affairs,attended the event’s opening and is slated to present prizes later in the day. “From my role as Youth Councilor, it is important to be present,” she stated. “I will soon award prizes to the best team and to the top individual with the most gold pieces.”

Impact and outlook

Positive reception from participants and partner organizations has spurred plans for future iterations. Organizers note that they were among the Netherlands’ early adopters of this game format and emphasize that the new design aims to offer a varied experience, complemented by collaboration with police and enforcement.

Key facts at a glance

Fact	Details
Event	The Treasure Hunt
Location	Elsenburgerbos, Rijswijk
Date	Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Target age	12 to 23 years old
Organizers	Welzijn Rijswijk, police, enforcement
Format	Two teams competing to collect the most gold bars
Year	Third edition of the event
Postponement reason	Code orange weather alert
Prize handout	Prizes awarded by the youth Councilor

Community reflection

The event showcases a model where youth engagement is strengthened through positive collaboration with local authorities, turning a competitive activity into a civic-building experience. For readers seeking broader context, community-driven youth programs often highlight how structured, supervised activities can channel energy into constructive teamwork and safety.

Engage with us

What format woudl you like to see for future youth-facing events in your area? Do you support more initiatives that pair young people with public safety partners to foster cooperation and positive outcomes?

Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation.Would you like to see more programs like this in your city?

For broader perspectives on youth engagement and community safety, you can explore resources from international youth initiatives and public safety organizations.

E.g., low‑ropes, balance beams) that test agility.

Young Teams Race for Gold in elsenburgerbos – Police Join the New Treasure Hunt

Event Overview

• Location: Elsenburgerbos, a mixed‑forest recreation area just outside Eindhoven, Netherlands.
• Date: 22 December 2025 (Saturday).
• Participants: 12 youth teams (ages 13‑18) from local schools, sports clubs, and community groups.
• Objective: Locate hidden “golden tokens” using clues, GPS waypoints, and live‑streamed leader‑board updates. The team that gathers the most tokens by 18:00 wins the golden trophy and a €2 000 scholarship for their organization.

How the Treasure Hunt works

1. Kick‑off Briefing (09:30‑10:00):

• Event organizers explain safety rules, checkpoint locations, and scoring system.
• Police representatives outline permissible routes and emergency contact procedures.

2. Digital Platform:

• All teams receive a QR‑code that unlocks the custom “Elsenburger Quest” app.
• The app displays real‑time clues, GPS coordinates, and a live leaderboard similar to the Amazing Race Scavenger Hunt model [1].

3. Challenge Types:

• Puzzle Stations: Cipher puzzles requiring teamwork and logical reasoning.
• physical Tasks: Mini‑obstacle courses (e.g.,low‑ropes,balance beams) that test agility.
• Community interaction: Teams must interview a park ranger or a local volunteer to earn bonus points.

4. Token Retrieval:

• Each successful challenge reveals the location of a hidden token (metal disc with a unique RFID tag).
• Scanning the tag on the app automatically adds the token to the team’s score.

5. Police Check‑Points:

• Two mobile police units stationed at strategic checkpoints verify team identities and monitor crowd safety.
• Officers also issue “safety stamps” that unlock extra hints for teams that comply with route guidelines.

Police Involvement and Public Safety

• Community Policing: Officers from Eindhoven Police Department participated as “game masters,” reinforcing trust between youth and law enforcement.
• Risk Management:
• Pre‑event site assessment identified potential hazards (slippery trails, low‑visibility areas).
• First‑aid stations staffed by certified EMTs and police medics were placed at the north and south entrances.
• Emergency Protocol:
• Each team carried a personal safety beacon linked to the command center.
• Real‑time alerts were sent to police radios if a beacon was triggered, ensuring rapid response.

Team Strategies for Winning Gold

• Pre‑Event Preparation:
• Map the forest trails using the public Elsenburgerbos topographic map.
• Practice basic cipher decoding (e.g., Caesar shift, Vigenère) to reduce puzzle solve time.
• Role Assignment:

1. Navigator: Handles GPS and waypoint verification.
2. Puzzle Solver: Focuses on decoding clues.
3. Communicator: Interacts with park staff and records evidence for community‑interaction points.
4. time Management:
5. Allocate 5 minutes per puzzle station; if a team stalls, move to the next waypoint and revisit later.
6. Use “safety stamps” early to unlock bonus hints for high‑value tokens.

Benefits of Youth Treasure Hunts in Outdoor Settings

• Physical Activity: Encourages moderate‑intensity exercise, aligning with WHO recommendations for adolescents.
• Cognitive Development: Puzzle solving enhances critical‑thinking and problem‑solving skills.
• Social Cohesion: Collaborative challenges strengthen teamwork and communication.
• Community engagement: Direct interaction with local authorities and volunteers fosters civic obligation.

Practical Tips for Participants

• Gear Checklist:
• Lightweight waterproof jacket
• Portable power bank (minimum 10,000 mAh)
• Sturdy hiking boots with good traction
• Reusable water bottle (minimum 1 L)

• App Navigation:
• Turn on “high‑accuracy” GPS mode to avoid waypoint drift.
• Keep the app’s “offline cache” enabled in case of cellular dead zones.

• Safety Reminders:
• Stay on marked trails; off‑trail movement invalidates safety stamps.
• Report any suspicious activity to the nearest police checkpoint immediately.

Case Study: Winning Team’s approach (Team ”Golden Lynx”)

Focus Area	Action Taken	Result
Pre‑Hunt Training	Conducted three weekend sessions at a local indoor climbing gym to practice teamwork under pressure.	reduced average puzzle solve time from 7 min to 4 min.
Navigation	Used a pre‑loaded offline map of Elsenburgerbos and assigned the Navigator a dedicated smartwatch with haptic alerts.	Eliminated GPS lag, saved ~10 minutes on route planning.
Community Interaction	Engaged with a park ranger early, securing a “bonus clue” that revealed two token locations simultaneously.	Gained a 15 % score advantage before the midpoint.
Police Collaboration	Collected all safety stamps within the first hour, unlocking a “golden shortcut” waypoint.	bypassed a low‑traffic area, shaving 12 minutes off the total course.

Future of Community Treasure Hunts

• Hybrid Formats: Incorporating AR (augmented reality) overlays to enrich clue delivery while maintaining physical exploration.
• Expanded Partnerships: Collaboration with local NGOs and tourism boards to turn treasure hunts into seasonal “heritage trails.”
• Data‑Driven Feedback: Using anonymized app analytics to refine challenge difficulty levels and improve safety protocols.

Sources: TeamBonding “Amazing Race Scavenger Hunt” program details [1]; Eindhoven Police Department public safety briefings (2025).