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The final race of the Formula 1 season is always a big event. All the efforts of each of the teams come down to this day where the realization is made of who has had a successful season and who is the racing equivalent of an Edsel. This season has been a close struggle for points and has shown that Formula 1 is not dead as some commentators have tried to make out.

The 4.309km Interlagos track in Sao Paulo, Brazil, is the scene for this years triumphant finale, and it looks set for a great close to the season by Ferrari as they strive for the all important final set of points to overcome Renault.

The Interlagos track was created by two local property developers who bought a huge plot of land in 1938 only to discover it would not be suitable for building houses, and so decided to build a race circuit instead. Following on from the great Emerson Fittipaldis phenomenal success on the international scene, interest within Brazil blossomed for the idea of Brazil hosting their own Grand Prix, a goal that was realized at Interlagos in 1973. Since this time the race has been hosted a couple of times in Rio, but since the death of local Sao Paulo legend Ayrton Senna, the race has remained at the Interagos track, and the sport remains as popular as ever in Brazil.

The high altitude anti-clockwise track is made up of two main long straights combined with a quick series of tight turns which make this a technically challenging circuit for the cars, drivers and team engineers on this 71 lap race, where speeds range from 81km/h for certain corners up to 316km/h on the straight. With Ferrari and Renault guaranteed to be fighting wheel to wheel through the Senna S, this will be a great spectacle for the famously enthusiastic fans who flock to the track.

While the city was once dominated by run down favellas and shanty towns, it is now definitely experiencing an upturn of fortune. Current local formula 1 racing superstar, Rubens Barrichello has said of the city, Yes there are favellas, but it is wrong that people should think of Sao Paulo as being horrid and dirty; every big city has its problems. He firmly believes that, There are some very beautiful parts of Sao Paulo, in which Im happy to leave my kids in the car - thats how safe it is.

The circuit itself is situated about 16km south of the centre of Sao Paolo in the Interlagos district, and is easy to access via the extensive public transport network from Guarulhos international airport, which lies 25km north-east of the city. Booking a flight to Brazil is easy and race tickets are available through the official Formula 1 website.

This is going to be a race that true race fans will not want to miss.

Andrew Regan is an online journalist who enjoys socialising at his local Edinburgh cricket club.

Purpose

The primary goal of a scavenger hunt is to send participants out with a list of things to find, obtain, photograph, videotape, audio record, etc. The hope is that while they are working together as a team, relationships will be developed.

Publicity Opportunity

Make invitations to your church, business, or organization and give them to everyone who participates or that interacts with the groups in some way. Or create a small thank you card with your contact information. Participants can give a thank you card to everyone who helps them. Even better, invite them to a party or slideshow where the results will be displayed.

Preparing Item Lists

Lists can be as creative and wild as you want them to be. Design your list around a theme or concept:

Ecological, Bible Objects, Occupations, Food, Canned Goods, Prices of items, Animal Tracks, footprints, Photos at History Locations, People, sounds, clothing, church members, Camp Supplies, Items for the needy, recycled materials, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, New Year, Halloween, Noah's Ark Party, old family photos, fruits, vegetables, widgets, Posed Photos, Video, etc.

Protecting Participants

1. Don't let any youth drive - put adults in charge and don't allow horseplay on the roads like "Chinese fire drills". Make sure everyone wears seatbelts or take major points away if they are caught on film without them on. You could also conduct the scavenger hunt on foot. You don't want a participant killed while speeding during your scavenger hunts.

2. Participants must obey all laws and instructions from sponsors.

3. Limit the play area and place people at strategic locations if needed to insure the safety of participants.

4. Make sure each group has a mobile phone and contact numbers for emergency.

Points

1. Set a specific point value for each item on the list.

2. Have a point penalty for each minute late to the final destination or to report back with the items.

3. For Video or photo scavenger hunts, give extra points to groups for having a company, organization, or church logo in every picture. You could also require a Bible, a mascot, or some other object in each picture. Some groups have even been known to have to carry a large teddy bear or other object ( a couch) around to be in each picture.

4. Award extra points for having everyone in the group as part of the photo or video.

Planning the Scavenger Hunt - 10 Steps

1. PURPOSE: What is the purpose of your scavenger hunt. (Is it an icebreaker? For team building? Just for fun?)

2. TYPE: What type of scavenger hunt is it? (Is it to collect objects? a photo scavenger hunt? A video scavenger hunt? A sound scavenger hunt? Others?)

3. THEME: What is the theme? (Is it a Pirate's Treasure Hunt? a Superhero Hunt? Aladin's Magic Carpet Hunt? Others?)

4. LOCATION: Where will the hunt take place? What are the boundaries? (Is it limited to a school or church building? The downtown area? Walking distance? Reconnoiter the location to determine potential problems. Get permission in advance from affected businesses and individuals.)

5. ITEM LIST: What items do participants need to collect? (Based on your purpose, type of hunt, and theme, make a list of items that can be found in the specified boundaries. Are subsitutions allowed?)

6. SCORING: How will points be allocated? (Are some items worth more than others? Are there points for creativity and quality?)

7. INVITATIONS: Who will be invited to the join in the Scavenger Hunt? (What do they need to bring? What do they need to wear? Tailor the invitations to your theme.)

8. TEAMS: How will participants be divided into teams?

9. RULES: What are the rules? (Take into consideration the safety of participants as well as minimizing potential problems.)

10. AWARDS: Determine the location and the time for the awards party. (How will teams present their items to the judges?)

Ken has been actively involved in youth ministry for almost 20 years and has been writing youth Bible Study materials since 1988. He has written for numerous Youth weekends and summer camps around the world. He also does training workshops for youth leaders and teachers in Asia and is recommended by others for his creativity and for his passion in mentoring youth.

More Ideas?

You can get ideas for specific scavenger hunts from http://www.creativeyouthideas.com/