With a new wave of Trent University students arriving in Peterborough, an interactive scavenger hunt during September will help them become familiar with the campus and city while also supporting local businesses.
“Explore the Boro” — an initiative of Trent University, the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism — will encourage both new and returning Trent students to install the Goosechase app on their phones to learn more about their community and to qualify for prizes.
From September 2 to 21, students can complete a variety of activities at a number of locations in downtown Peterborough and on the Trent campus, earning points by completing different missions, such as taking selfies at specific shops and landmarks or answering trivia questions.
“The energy in our city ramps up each fall when Trent students move back to Peterborough,” says Alison Scholl, senior manager of community and external relations at Trent University, in a media release. “They add so much to the cultural, social, and economic vitality of the city in so many different ways. Partnering with the DBIA and PKT to host Explore the Boro is a fun and unique way to help our incoming and returning students get to know and feel at home in Peterborough.”
Along with Trent swag, the three students who earn the most points on the Goosechase app will receive a Boro gift card worth $1,250 (first place), $750 (second place), or $500 (third place). Boro gift cards can be redeemed at downtown businesses.
“The Boro comes alive when Trent students return to the city with curious minds and vibrant energy,” says DBIA executive director Terry Guiel. “We’re thrilled to continue this impactful partnership that creates opportunities for students to discover and re-discover our downtown core and support local businesses.”
Trent University’s economic impact represents around nine per cent of the local gross domestic product. Helping students become familiar with the city and discover new favourite shops and restaurants will benefit the local economy, according to Joe Rees, director of tourism for Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism.
“We look forward to seeing Trent students back for a new academic year and seeing all of the ways that they discover their favourite spots in Peterborough and the Kawarthas,” Rees says. “Students and alumni of Trent University add to the cultural vibrancy, creative collaboration, and collective success of businesses and the community at large in the region. Their significant economic influence cannot be emphasized enough, as they occupy pivotal roles that drive our economy.”
Students looking for more information about Explore the Boro, including instructions on how to participate, can visit trentu.ca/exploretheboro.
