Do you want to get more involved in your local environment? Why not try quests? It’s a great way to integrate seniors, and we’ve already tried it in hundreds of smaller towns and communities. We have numerous proofs of this.
What are quests?
Quests are self-service field games that focus on discovery and puzzle-solving. They work like interactive tours, often with a historical background and proximity to nature. They combine active time with knowledge acquisition. There are no age restrictions on participating in quests. Quests can be played by both young and old, and can be played alone, but also by the whole family or a group of friends. In recent years, field games are gaining popularity especially among seniors. Their involvement in the creation of quests is not only a sign of activity, but also a way to strengthen interpersonal ties.
An engaged community in Słupno as an example of how to activate the senior community
Słupno is a small village with a rich history, located in central Poland. A local community initiative was born there. Seniors wanted to convey valuable content by creating a quest. In recent years, two socially developed quests have been created in Słupno.
The first time, the seniors approached our organization with a desire to activate the local community by organizing workshops for creating quests. They had many ideas, but lacked the knowledge and skills to transform into a quest. Our specialists accompanied them to the workshop, helping them transform ideas into a concrete plan. The process consisted of brainstorming so that together they determined the route of the quest, developed content of the riddles, consulted graphics on the leaflets and designed the “treasures” to be found. The senior community also participated in game testing, which was a form of social activity. It is worth mentioning that those workshops allowed them to gain new competencies.
This resulted in the creation of the first off-road game in the region and was met with great interest and involvement from local residents. In addition, the Quest was published in a free, generally available quest app and on the website Questy – Wyprawy odkrywców, which dragged tourists practicing quest-based tourism to their small town.
Activating seniors through the process of creating quests together was a hit. After some time, the local senior citizens’ action group approached our organization with another idea. Again, the seniors had many interesting stories to tell. As a result, another quest was created, this time aiming to educate the younger generation about Słupno’s history and culture.
At the end, the inauguration of the quest was also organized. It was accompanied by a picnic and attended by residents and numerous invited guests. It was a social event, an opportunity to integrate different social groups and generations. The local senior citizens’ action group established cooperation with schools and offices, which allowed for additional promotion of the quest.
A few words from Teresa, a leader of the local senior community:
“I have the pleasure of being part of such an active community. Participating in the creation of the quests was not only great fun, but also a way to share my knowledge and experience with others. It’s a real opportunity to deepen our knowledge of our local history and traditions. I think it’s a great project that brings people and generations together!”
Try it for yourself too!
If you want to do something special for the local community, use your energy and imagination, be sure to carry out your own quest project. It is worth remembering that social activity has no age limits and can be a way to enrich the life of the community on many levels. Such activities can inspire other communities that want to activate their seniors and promote intergenerational cooperation.
Take advantage of the materials provided and act! The article is based on the experience of experts from the Map of Passions Foundation (Fundacja Mapa Pasji), which works with seniors on a daily basis, implementing various projects.