Though some may have mistaken them for fraternity pledges participating in some strange initiation process, the groups of students frantically racing across campus yesterday were actually taking part in the Urban Challenge, a modern-day twist on the classic scavenger hunt.
The Urban Challenge, which is sponsored by Verizon Wireless and was hosted at Penn by the Marketing Undergraduate Students Establishment, sends pairs out on a journey to identify various checkpoints with only an LG VX6000 Verizon camera phone for help-- and the possibility of winning a $500 prize as motivation.
It is a "fast, frantic, fun event," race creator Kevin McCarthy said of his brainchild, which utilizes text messaging to distribute clues to participants during the 90-minute-long race.
"The Urban Challenge started out as a birthday party for my 12-year-old daughter," he said, recalling that it was "so exciting" that he decided "it would make a really cool mass-participation event."
With clues that require knowledge about everything from algebra to Starbucks, McCarthy stressed that "21st century intelligence" is the key to being a successful Urban Challenge player.
"It's about using your resources effectively," he said. "It's a challenge of mind, body and spirit."
With the Urban Challenge entering its third season, the game has morphed into something much larger than McCarthy could have possibly anticipated at its birthday party debut.
"This year, we'll get to do 40" Urban Challenges across the country, Urban Challenge spokesman Michael Weinstein said, noting that 120 teams had signed up to participate at Penn.
Twenty of the national Urban Challenges will take place on campuses, and 20 will just be in generic city locations -- such as Seattle, Los Angeles and Boston.
"Usually [the Urban Challenge charges] $150 per two-person team," McCarthy said. But for the Campus Urban Challenge -- and with the help of the recent Verizon sponsorship -- "we're able to bring the event to students and do it for free."
"We hope to raise awareness of the Verizon Wireless network and introduce [students] to the technology," Weinstein said. He described the event as unique and noted that it was a good way to relieve tension with finals soon approaching.
Students "can use a little distraction around this time of year," Weinstein said. "We're big on fun."
According to most participants, Weinstein has accomplished this goal.
"We had an awesome time," College sophomore Katie Murphy said. Murphy and her partner Sze Hui, a Wharton sophomore, came in first place.
Murphy and Hui's strategy incorporated a secret weapon -- a group of friends back in their dormitory, armed with the power of Google in an effort to assist Murphy and Hui with the clues.
But even those who did not reach all 12 checkpoints said that despite the rainy weather, the experience was still worth it.
"I thought it was a lot of fun," Urban Challenge participant Zach Kirkhorn said. "It was a lot more aerobic than I expected," the Engineering sophomore said, adding that "the questions were a lot harder than I thought they would be."
Penn is the second college campus that the Urban Challenge has invaded -- on April 6, Clemson University participated in the event, and four more universities are scheduled to follow suit this spring.
