How This School District Kicks Off the School Year with a Staff Scavenger Hunt
Back-to-school team-building events can sometimes feel predictable—handing out schedules, giving reminders, and checking off the usual to-do list. While necessary, they don’t always get people excited.
Obed Hernandez Noris, Instructional Technology Coordinator at Clint Independent School District in El Paso, Texas, wanted to change that. His goal was straightforward.
“I wanted to start the year by bringing staff together, sparking creativity, and building connections across all our campuses.”
To achieve it, he turned to a new approach: a district-wide digital scavenger hunt using Goosechase, designed to energize over 600 educators and make the first day of school truly memorable. As part of the annual Clint ISD Back to School Rally, the organizers wanted activities that would spark laughter, creativity, and connection across all 14 campuses. The goal of the scavenger hunt was simple: foster team spirit and set a positive tone for the school year.
Engaging Over 600 School Staff Across All Campuses
This wasn’t your average back-to-school assembly.
Teachers, librarians, coaches, and administrators from 13 of the 14 campuses in the district participated, with campus administrators selecting representatives to take on different Missions. In total, over 600 educators participated.
Some standout moments from the staff scavenger hunt included, Principal Pep Talks, which inspired and entertained the whole district, and Guess the Throwback, where staff anonymously shared their baby pictures, which had everyone laughing and guessing long after the rally ended.
One teacher noted: “They didn’t just meet new colleagues—they made memories.”
Guess the Throwback has teachers wondering who these adorable goslings were! 🐣
Designing Missions That Are Easy to Implement and Fun to Complete
Getting started was simple. The Missions were designed to be easy to understand while still encouraging creativity. Highlights included:
- Showcasing campus pride
- Creating “back to school” hype videos
- Snapping selfies with colleagues
Obed and his team used AI to generate initial Mission ideas, organized them in a spreadsheet, and then copied them into the Experience. The Goosechase AI Mission Generator helped refine the Missions, while the Studio made it easy to manage all the teams in one district-wide game, so organizers could focus on being present with their peers.
How to Customize Goosechase Experiences for Other School Events
This format proved highly adaptable for:
- Student orientations
- Staff professional development sessions
- Cross-campus challenges throughout the year
The Missions can be easily customized for different age groups, themes, or event goals, making Goosechase a versatile tool for schools throughout the year.
Back to School Goosechase!
Hello staff! It's back to school time and we're celebrating with a staff adventure! Earn points by completing Missions.
Best Practices for Running a Successful Back to School Experience
The Goosechase Experience became more than just a gathering—it evolved into a district-wide celebration. Teams shared moments showcasing creativity, humor, and school pride, reinforcing the #ClintIsUnited4Excellence culture before the first bell even rang.
The success of the rally was a direct result of the creativity, enthusiasm, and dedication of the educators who designed and participated in the Missions. Other schools can take note of several key tips:
- Keep missions varied, mixing quick wins with more creative challenges.
- Encourage friendly competition, but prioritize fun over points.
- Showcase submissions on a big screen or in a highlight reel for maximum laughs and applause.
Check out the photo gallery to see the excitement for yourself!
Building Lasting Connections and Enthusiasm for the Year Ahead
The Goosechase Experience added unforgettable energy to the Back to School event and helped strengthen campus communities through collaborative challenges. Educators left feeling more connected, inspired, and ready to bring the same spirit into their classrooms.
What is Goosechase EDU?
Goosechase is an online platform that helps educators create and run interactive learning experiences in their classrooms and beyond. Sign up and try creating an Experience, or contact us to learn more about our school and district-wide solutions!
