More Than A Scavenger Hunt: How Goosechase Brought TJCL Together

Going into the Tennessee Junior Classical League (TJCL) State Convention this year, I wasn't expecting a scavenger hunt to become one of the most memorable parts of the weekend.

When Goosechase partnered with us, I thought it would be a fun way to keep students engaged between events. Without a doubt, that goal was accomplished. But after spending the weekend watching people participate, I realized it did something much more important: it got people talking.

One of my favorite things about TJCL is that it brings together students from all over Tennessee who share an interest in Latin, Classics, and academic competition. The downside is that most people naturally stick with their own schools. You travel with your chapter, sit with your chapter, and spend most of your time around people you already know. Goosechase kind of broke that pattern.

Throughout the convention, I kept seeing students introducing themselves to people they had never met before because of a challenge. I saw groups combining forces to complete Missions, taking ridiculous photos, and getting way more competitive than I think anyone expected. Because of Goosechase, suddenly students from different schools had a reason to interact.

One student told me something that really stuck with me: "I talked to people I would never have talked to if it weren't for Goosechase." I think that sentence sums up the entire experience better than anything else.

The other thing Goosechase solved was downtime.

At any convention, there are always moments when you're waiting for your next event, waiting for awards, or just trying to figure out what to do next. Not everyone is competing every minute of the day. Sometimes your friends are busy, your school's in a certamen match, or you're just looking for something to do.

One student explained it perfectly:

"Being someone who didn't have a lot to do because the rest of my school was competing, Goosechase really gave me something to do. It helped me get out of my comfort zone, talk to others, express myself, and just have fun."

That was probably the biggest thing I noticed all weekend. Students who might otherwise have been sitting on their phones or waiting around were actively participating in the convention.

Now serving as TJCL's President, I spend a lot of time thinking about how to make conventions more engaging and more welcoming. What impressed me about Goosechase was the challenges that created opportunities for connection. The best parts of TJCL have always been the people. The friendships, the conversations, and the shared experiences are what students remember years later. Goosechase truly helped create more of them. By the end of the weekend, students were talking about the people they met, the challenges they completed, and the memories they made.

And honestly, that's why I'd love to see something like this come back next year. Maybe even at Nationals.

Thank you to Goosechase for partnering with TJCL and helping make a great convention even better.