Baldwin Wallace University's junior class officers are determined not to pull the plug on the popular BW tradition of April Reign.
In the pre-COVID world, the annual April Reign activities - tug of war and other competitions that involve close contact and draw large, cheering crowds of students - are not possible with campus health protocols in place.
That's
why
creativity,
problem-solving
and
determination
are
required
in
2021
-
the
same
skills
that
will
come
in
handy
as
the
campus
community
embarks
on
a
month-long
wild
"Goose
Chase"
for
this
year's
April
Reign.
"We never considered not moving forward with April Reign this year; it was just a matter of finding a way to hold an event that would be fun and safe," says junior class president Abbey Drake '22, who also serves at the BW Student Senate President. "April Reign is a BW tradition we didn't want to lose."
The
long-running
April
Reign
(known
as
May
Day,
back
when
the
academic
calendar
ended
deeper
into
spring)
was
designed
to
build
community
spirit
and
allow
students
to
blow
off
steam
near
the
end
of
the
academic
year.
It also helps cure the cabin fever that can come with Cleveland winters. (Snow in April, anyone?)
The pent-up desire to get outside and have some fun is especially strong in this pandemic year.
So,
instead
of
conceding
to
COVID,
the
junior
class
officers
are
instigating
a
month-long
scavenger
hunt
using
a
free
app
called
Goose
Chase.
Rather
than
a
two-day
event,
this
year's
app-based
version
of
April
Reign
will
last
throughout
the
month.
Starting April 4, every week, participants (individuals or teams of up to five) will receive dozens of brand-new challenges ranging from attending campus events to donating to local causes and everything in between, including some silly (but safe!) stunts and photo poses.
Completed challenges are documented and earn points. Students can watch the action play out around campus and in the app, and weekly prizes will reward the winners.
Drake says students who are fully remote can participate along with residential students, and faculty and staff are invited to get in on the fun, too.
A QR code to register is on flyers around campus, and the app is free to download. Once in the app, players simply search "April Reign" for the BW hunt.
Let the games begin!
