Prior to an Easter egg hunt for teens April 8, Tabatha Dickson was nervous.
Brookfield Township has held a hunt for years, but it usually attracts younger children. Dickson, who organized the hunt, wanted to do something for older kids, especially those who volunteer at the hunt for young kids. So, she established two hunts, one for younger kids and one for teens. This year was the first one for older kids, and the major drawing card was food and shopping gift cards.
Yet, she was nervous because she didn’t know if any older kids would show up.
Once it got closer to the start time and Dickson walked around to check on the attendance, the nervousness faded, replaced by another emotion.
“I am a-mazed by the turnout,” Dickson said.
“I was expecting 30, 40 kids,” she said. “Last count was 75.”
The older children’s hunt was held after the traditional hunt for younger kids, which also was well-attended. Police Chief Dan Faustino said he lost track after counting 190 younger kids, and could only remember one other Easter egg hunt the township has held that attracted as many, from something like 15 years ago.
Rachel Vallely of Brookfield, who brought her children, a 4-year-old and 1-year-old twins, said she thought the hunt was “pretty well organized.”
“I didn’t think it was too overwhelming at all,” she said, “I think it’s really nice, and they got so many prizes inside. They definitely put a lot of money and time into it.”
The day as so successful that township officials floated the idea of moving next year’s hunt from the township administration building to a larger venue, such as the township park.
Dickson, the township’s office coordinator, said she plans to go “bigger” with the egg hunt for teens next year, “because you can only grow on it.”
Work on next year’s egg hunts starts Monday.
“I’m gonna go clearance shopping to start building up my supply for next year,” Dickson said.
