GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - $5,000 is up for grabs and all you have to do is be first to find it.
The Metro Area Treasure Hunts is a new social experiment that gives scavengers a series of 16 clues and puzzles leading to a hidden prize somewhere in the greater Grand Rapids area.
"It's a real life treasure hunt here in the Grand Rapids area, where you can win a $5,000 prize if you find it," said the man behind the treasure, an area math teacher who goes by the name of Brian.
Brian told FOX 17 the idea came to him simply out of boredom.
"I was bored, I guess, and my wife recommended me making a treasure hunt for our friends, and I said, 'I think I can make it a little bit bigger than that,'" said Brian.
After some serious problem solving, Brian came up with the Metro Area Treasure Hunts (MATH). It's a web-based scavenger hunt with a total of 16 clues testing your problem solving skills, intellect and wit.
"Well, I didn't hide a duffel bag full of cash in Grand Rapids," Brian said. "You're looking for a coded certificate. If you enter the right code on the website, you'll get a 5,000 dollar cashier's check."
Pre-registration costs $19.99, which will give you access to the clues when they're released Wednesday, September 21. Anyone can play, but you have to be 18 or older to collect the cash prize. Sign up at Metroareatreasurehunts.com .
"You are guaranteed the money if you are the first person to find it and enter the code online," Brian said. "I’m just hoping enough people can sign up that this can be a recurring thing. It’s brand new. I don’t know what to expect. The treasure could be found in three days or it could be found in three months."
