Rules And Regulations

While GSH is an adventure of a lifetime, it is also a competition.  And, as such, must have rules.  As you embark on this extraordinary journey around the world, here are the rules designed to ensure a fair, fun, and thrilling experience for everyone. Let’s dive in!

Rule 1: Safety and Well-Being

1. Your health and safety come first.
2. If you encounter a medical emergency, seek professional assistance and notify the race directors as soon as possible.
3. In hazardous or extreme conditions, use common sense and prioritize safety over completing tasks.

Rule 2: Respect Local Customs

1. Show respect for local people, customs, and laws.
2. Dress and behave appropriately at sacred or culturally significant sites.
3. We are guests—act accordingly.

Rule 3: Obey Local Laws

1. Comply with all local laws.
2. Ignorance is no excuse.
3. Avoid any illegal activities.
4. While participating in an event, you are solely responsible for your behavior. If you get in trouble, you are responsible for resolving it.

Rule 4: Good Sportsmanship

1. Compete with honor and integrity—no deceitful tactics or circumventing the rules.
2. Offer basic courtesies to other teams, local residents, and race staff.
3. Celebrate the spirit of adventure, cultural exchange, and friendly competition.

Rule 5: Team Togetherness

1. To complete a scavenge, both teammates must be physically present, although only one needs to complete the challenge (e.g., if the task is to eat a worm, only one person needs to do it).
2. Proof requirement: Take a team photo at each scavenge. No drive-by photos.
3. Each team receives one official scavenger hunt booklet.
4. Stick together for ticket purchases and other tasks.

Rule 6: Team Event

1. GSH is a team strategy competition, not a group effort.
2. No teaming up with other teams without prior approval.
3. If you collaborate, inform the race directors which scavenges were completed together.
4. Casual help (e.g., pointing directions or answering simple questions) is allowed.

Rule 7: Public Transportation Only

1. Unless otherwise instructed, use public transportation for travel.
2. “Public” means open to other passengers (e.g., buses, trains, ferries).
3. Taxis or ride-hailing (Uber, Lyft, etc.) are permitted for single rides—but do not hire a driver to stay with you across multiple scavenges.
4. Unless announced for a particular leg, no hotel cars, private car hires, or rentals.

Rule 8: Documenting Issues

1. We have done our best to ensure tasks are open and available.
2. Points are only awarded for fully completed tasks.
3. If a task is closed or unavailable, no points can be awarded—effort alone does not earn points.
4. All tasks require proof of completion. If only part of a challenge is not possible, seek clarification from the race directors. For example, if a fishing challenge requires cooking the fish but local laws require catch-and-release, points may still be awarded for completing the spirit of the challenge. These decisions will be made publicly and should be raised in the group chat as soon as possible.
5. If you believe you’ve found a “creative” workaround to complete a scavenge, do not attempt it. When in doubt, ask for clarification.

Rule 9: Participation Over Sightseeing

1. You must locate, visit, and spend quality time at each place.
2. No drive-by photos from vehicles.
3. Save entrance tickets and receipts as proof.
4. If a task has a time requirement (e.g., one hour at a museum) or implied duration (e.g., watching a play or enjoying a full meal), good-faith participation is expected.
5. Cutting time short to “check the box” is considered cheating and may result in point deductions.

Rule 10: Proof Availability

1. Keep all receipts, photos, and journals (digital or physical) until the next leg begins.
2. No proof, no points.
3. Digital equivalents (photos, scans) are acceptable.

Rule 11: Score Sheet Integrity

1. Scorecards are digital; the app collects timestamps and location data.
2. Do not tamper with or attempt to cheat the system.
3. If cheating is detected, penalties will apply at the race directors’ discretion.

Rule 12: No Friends and Family Help

1. Friends and family in destination cities may attend official events but cannot assist your team with scavenges or planning.
2. Keep the competition fair and unbiased.

Rule 13: Tech-Free Legs

1. During tech-free legs, personal electronic devices and hotel business centers may not be used for research.
2. Public phones (e.g., pay phones) are allowed if needed.
3. Penalty for using prohibited devices: loss of 50% of that leg’s points.

Rule 14: Race Directors’ Role

1. Race directors enforce rules.
2. They will not provide strategic or guiding advice.
3. Ask only rule-related questions—do not seek personal advantage.

Rule 15: Reporting Violations

1. Immediately and privately report any rule violations or breaches by other teams.
2. Provide documentation if possible.
3. Do not confront or police other teams—notify the race directors.

Rule 16: Rule Modifications

1. Race directors may modify rules as needed.
2. Changes will be announced publicly at official meetings or through official communications.

Rule 17: Handling Infractions

1. Infractions will be addressed immediately.
2. Point deductions will be publicly announced.
3. Repeated violations may result in disqualification.
4. All decisions by race directors are final.

Rule 18: Scoring

1. Scores are tallied and posted after each leg.
2. Teams are ranked based on points earned; points carry over between legs.
3. The team with the highest total points at the end of the final leg wins.
4. Ties are resolved by the first team to arrive at the finish line and complete their scavenges.

Rule 19: Point Adjustments

1. Race directors may adjust points for partial scavenges or minor rule violations.
2. All disputes must be raised before the next leg begins.
3. No instant replay—decisions are final.

Rule 20: Check-In Deadlines

1. Teams must meet check-in deadlines with completed score sheets.
2. Late submissions may result in point deductions or other penalties.

Enjoy your journey, embrace the adventure, and remember to keep it fair and fun!