By Janie Frank

News Editor

theaspnews@gmail.com

   

   “If you’re catching up on some studying in the Science Library, take a break because LAX on Lark is calling,” the treasure hunt hint begins. “Here’s the catch, find out where Schwartz Heslin is around.”

   An orange box directly beneath the hint exclaimed in white letters, “I’VE FOUND IT!”

The hint explains that it is for a L.A.X. Restaurant & Lounge gift card. Whoever finds the hidden surprise first gets to keep it.

   The competition, called Campus Pursuit, is a campus-wide treasure hunt available to anyone who downloads the app.

   Campus pursuit began in January 2014 at Binghamton University but has since spread out to other campuses. According to co-founder Shachar Avraham, it is currently operating on four campuses – Binghamton, Ithaca, Cornell, and Albany. This is the game’s first semester at Albany.

After downloading the app to a smartphone, users can open it in order to receive hints as to where various items are hidden across the campus.

   “Most of the prizes are gift cards for local businesses around Albany.

   However, not all of the prizes are from local businesses. Some of the businesses include Ernesto’s on Madison, Inc., Survive Chem, Planet Beach, Frank Adams Jewelers, Cold Stone Creamery and Dormify.

These gift cards range in value as well.

   “Many $ 5 to $ 25 gift cards from local businesses are being hidden in the treasure hunt,” said Avraham. “Some national brands are hiding gift cards for their products as well.”

   The gift cards can be hid anywhere on campus, from vending machines in the Campus Center to behind information signs at Indian Pond.

   The gift cards are meant to bring attention and potential revenue to various businesses.

   “Campus Pursuit is a treasure hunt, based around businesses’ prizes, said Avraham. He later explained that the program is a way to connect students to businesses.

The app is designed to be easy to use.

   “Users get a push notification on their smartphone every Monday-Friday alerting them that prizes have been hidden around their Campus Community. The user then opens their Campus Pursuit app, and can see hints and clues as to where prizes are hidden,” Avraham explained. “Students never know where the prizes are hidden. It’s a mystery everyday.

   Students follow the clues in the app and go on a real treasure hunt, looking for businesses’ prizes… Once a user finds a prize, they scan the QR code in the prize envelope indicating that they found the reward, and keep their treasure.”

   The co-founder explained that Campus Pursuit was created to “revolutionize the way brands connect to students.”

   “We believe that advertising can be fun,” he said.

Campus Pursuit can be downloaded from both the App Store on Itunes and the Google Play Store. Learn more at campuspursuit.com.