Amazing Race to Serve is a fundraiser for North Coast Church’s upcoming Weekend of Service. Teams will race from the Oceanside Pier to North Coast Church’s Vista Campus using public transportation (or private vehicles for Family-Friendly Teams) and solving clues along the way!
For more info, take a look at our frequently asked questions for Two-Person Teams and Family-Friendly Teams.
Anyone can participate as long as at least one member of the team is 12 or under.
As many can fit in your car (legally, of course).
The race will begin and end at the same places as the regular race. It will begin at the Oceanside Pier and end at the North Coast Church Vista Campus.
Think carnival type games, family-building activities and exciting choices that allow everyone to be involved.
While you are welcome to bring along anyone you want, the game will be geared toward school-aged kids.
YES!!
Family teams will use their own transportation instead of taking public transportation. The family option will also have different challenges/clues than the regular race.
The Grand Prize Challenge is a competition to see which Two-Person Team and which Family Team can raise the most money. Contributions can come from anyone (Growth Group, family, friends, neighbors, local business, etc.) All proceeds will go to Weekend of Service and are tax deductible. The winning teams will be able to choose one of the options below for their category.
Grand Prize – Family Team
(For the team that raises the most money)
Choose one of the following packages:
Yes, we will have an awards for the following:
Teams of two will race by foot and public transportation in a four to six hour time span, solving clues along the way!
At the start of the race, each team will be given an envelope filled with 30 different challenges ranging in difficulty — some will be mental, others physical and some will require interaction with the public. The goal is to complete 10 challenges and race to the finish line as fast as you can. Prizes will be awarded to top finishers, best costume and for other surprise challenges along the way.
Teams can be couples, friends, family members – anyone can play! Having additional people at “home-base” will help you when you need to check clues, brainstorm answers or search the Internet.
No. All you need is a fun, “can do” attitude, and be willing to solve puzzles, use the public transit system (if a Two Person Team) and then you are set for success! However, wearing tennis shoes and moving quickly along the course will help you get there faster.
Go high-tech! Maps, GPS, smart phones and laptops are all allowed and encouraged! In fact, we highly recommend having some good Googlers waiting by their phones to help you out too! Some clues will require you to find obscure information. Having access to the Internet and a good “home base” support team will help! Enlist your Growth Group or a few friends to set up “Team Support” remotely to help you through the course.
Other helpful tools are guidebooks, pen and paper, backpack, water and snacks.
At the starting line, each team will be given an envelope that contains 30 clues/tasks ranging in difficulty. Teams will need to complete 10 clues/tasks of their choice while racing to the finish line. Choose the clues that you think will be the easiest… or the most fun! There is no set course. Find your own way. The clues may be completed in any order, so do what you think will work best!
If Two-Person Team, remember, that you can only use public transportation or travel by foot. So when you are planning your route consider timetables of public transportation and what will help you get to the finish line fastest.
Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Two 16 year olds on a team is fine. Anyone under 18 will need to have a release form signed by their parent/guardian.
Two-Person Teams must make their way to the finish line by using public transportation or by foot. Understanding the public transportation system will be key! Big hint here: The Breeze and Sprinter will be helpful in making your way to the finish line. Know how to read schedules and timetables!
Private transportation is not permitted and you cannot accept a ride from anyone. Taxi cabs, cars, scooters, bicycles, skateboards, horses, roller skates, unicycles or any other type of personal transportation is not allowed.
Teams are encouraged to wear matching T-shirts or costumes. Be creative and have fun with this one! Prizes will be awarded to the Family Friendly Team and Two-Person Team with the best costume. Tennis shoes will help you get around quicker. Race numbers will be provided at check-in.
Since we are encouraging each Growth Group to send their most fun-seeking and competitive pair to the Amazing Race To Serve, there are several ways they can support you as a team. First, perhaps everyone in the Growth Group can pitch in a few bucks to help cover the cost of registration Another way they can help, is by setting up a “home base” support team and standing by on race day to help you navigate on the Internet or brainstorm to solve clues.
For mental challenges, think Suduko or crossword puzzles. You may have to feed your teammate some tasty food, do something daring, learn how to do something new, or compete in a game. Think of a scavenger hunt where you might have to return to the finish line with a specific item. And, be prepared to interact with the general public if you are a Two-Person Team.
Sample Clues:
There could be a clue that is mandatory. Failure to complete a mandatory clue will result in disqualification. Teams will not have the option to skip a mandatory clue. For every incorrect or incomplete clue, a 30 minute penalty will be added to the team’s finish time. Teams will not have the option of returning to complete an incomplete or incorrect clue.
The Grand Prize Challenge is a competition to see which Two-Person Team and which Family Team can raise the most money. Contributions can come from anyone (Growth Group, family, friends, neighbors, local business, etc.) All proceeds will go to Weekend of Service and are tax deductible. The winning teams will be able to choose one of the options below for their category.
Grand Prize – Two-Person Team
(For the team that raises the most money)
Choose one of the following:
Awards:
First three teams to finish
First husband/wife team
First sibling team
First parent/child team
First team with both members under 18
First team with both members over 60
First college team
First all female team
First all male team
Prizes:
Prize for best costume and a Grand Prize for team that raises the most money
You bet you can! You are more than welcome to donate to or sponsor any team.