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Petey Says Find the "Treasures of the City"
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photo: students touring the Busch Building

photo: mayor with children

photo: city employee's with children

photo: students touring the Busch Building
Springfield's fourth-graders set sail for adventure and embark on a treasure hunt for knowledge.

"They set sail one evening to hunt for lost treasure…learned municipal government and met the Mayor for pleasure!"

This riddle is no mystery, just a clue that "Treasures of the City" was held successfully in its twelfth straight year on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2001. This annual event is a nationally recognized, award-winning partnership between the City of Springfield and the Springfield Public Schools.

Students set sail at the Busch Building where they were welcomed aboard by a pirate who told his tale of lost treasure and offered the help of his parrot, Petey. Petey speaks only in riddles, so students had to decipher a number of clues to discover each departmental stop on the way to the big treasure. Students receive a trinket from each stop which denotes that particular department. They also have the opportunity to meet City Councilmembers at several of these stops. As students scouted for treasure, they gained knowledge of municipal government while the curriculum they studied in the classroom came to life. "X" marked the spot in City Council Chambers where students met the Mayor and received their final treasure from the lost treasure chest and a Kids' Map of Springfield, signed by the mayor and City Council. The event attracted about 1,000 students and their family members, who all left with a higher understanding of City government.

A crew of over 60 City employees volunteered their evening to ensure that the students experienced nothing but smooth sailing.

Fourth-grade Teachers were surveyed this year on what they like best about the "Treasures of the City" event. They said:

  • Makes City Government come alive!
  • Parental, local community and the entire City involvement
  • Hands on learning
  • Kids get to see what they've learned about - 4th graders love it!
  • Learning about the City of Springfield
  • Lots of great info! Learning made fun.
  • It fills a basic need of students and PARENTS to understand how local government functions
  • It makes City government real to children
  • Hands-on experience
  • The interest shown by parents and students
  • Connecting kids with City government

For more information, please contact:
Bob Nelson, Special Projects Coordinator, 864-1403

photo: city employees