Intuitive Treasure Hunter is a life-sized, real-world adventure game that fosters self-trust, creativity, group connection, and big joy. It starts with a promise and ends with a treasure, and great stories result. In person or over Zoom, we meet as a whole group for the first and last hour of the game, and then play out in the world in pairs and trios in between.
Created in 2005 as a way to help 5th - 8th graders keep open access to their authentic, creative selves, ITH has since been played by hundreds of people of all ages from all over the world. The game is especially loved by improvisors, writers, artists and innovators as it helps access creative intuition. ITH has been shared yearly at The Improv Retreat, and used to cap off iO Chicago's Summer Improv Intensives over the past five years. You can read some reviews directly below.
You can sign up to play in an Open Game, or schedule a Private Group Game. Either is a great way to play with friends, family members, or colleagues. Private Games let you pick the date. Open Games let you make new friends.
Next Open Game: Date & Location TBA! Stay tuned. :)
All events offered on this site are led by ITH's creator. Questions warmly welcome at janna@herechicago.org.
ITH:
Supports inspiration & creative intuition
Heightens sensory awareness
Fosters joy and play
Strengthens friendship & warm respect between players
Fosters memorable true stories that spark wonder and delight
Reviews
I was transported...
“I never thought I'd end up at a carnival, in a pumpkin patch, and then sipping coffee and eating a chocolate croissant at a riverside cafe on my turn. I've lived in Chicago all my life and I feel like I know these streets by the back of my hand, but during ITH I was transported to another place entirely. The game opens you up to seeing the world in a whole new way and it was fun! And I'll do it again.”
— Larissa L
We learned so much...
"This was fantastic!! It has made me want to experience the city like this more. I loved my team and we learned so much about each other and ourselves. I feel like I learned how to see, all over again. Oh, and when it's your turn it's way harder than it looks! In the best possible way. I can't wait to play again."
- MT Cozzola
Let synchronicity work its way...
“Janna's ITH is one of the most joy - causing exercises I've ever seen in practice. It causes humans to slow down and connect and let synchronicity work it's way to them. DO IT IF YOU HAVEN'T - I've watched over a hundred folks now try this and come back with awesome stories to share..”
— Tara DeFrancisco
Highly Recommended!
"Highly recommended! I've done it several times, and each experience has become a treasured memory."
- Matt Higbee
"Playing this was completely mind-expanding, and I know that the world needs it."
-Lindsay Muscatto
A tremendous amount of joy...
“The game gave me a tremendous amount of joy. The treasure that I found was realization that everyone has a story to tell. This discovery intensified my joy and excitement to connect and interact with others. Now I am more curious and open for new experiences.”
— Eric Becker
Permission to look, desire to see
"The hunt highlighted that any walk down the street holds hundreds of possibilities. Being open to them leads you to a wealth of experiences, of which any might be your 'treasure'. Yevtushenko said that “No people are uninteresting“. Maybe that’s also true for alleys, storefronts, and sidewalks when you have permission to look and desire to see."
- Colin Tysoe
Below are some treasures people found while playing. They are meaningful because of their stories.
Come Play With Us
The next Open Game of Intuitive Treasure Hunter is TBA. Stay tuned. ;) To join us, click the Register for an Open Game button. Or if you want to organize a private Zoom event for a group, click on Request a Private Group Game.
All events on this site are facilitated by ITH's creator. Questions are warmly welcome at janna@herechicago.org.