The students who traveled around Gainesville for Saturday’s Swamp Hunt weren’t hunting for Easter eggs or animals.
They were hunting for a cure for diabetes.
The Swamp Hunt is a Gainesville scavenger hunt that raises money for the American Diabetes Association.
Health Troupe, a UF student group that promotes an active lifestyle, organized the event.
Participants photograph themselves completing tasks throughout Gainesville and upload the pictures to Facebook.
Judges allot points to each team based on the number of pictures taken and the amount of money collected.
The teams raised a total of about $3,000.
“It is helpful to put a face to the cause and to educate others about the health issues regarding diabetes,” said Elizabeth Stein, the president of Health Troupe.
Event registration started at 11 a.m. on the Reitz Union North Lawn, and the event ran until 7 p.m. The 10 teams that participated had between six and eight members.
They took pictures of team members sampling food at sponsoring restaurants and participating in health education activities. Participants also had to post Twitter and Facebook updates informing people about Health Troupe.
Team “Kappa Gopha Shane” won the first-place prize, which is a three-night weekend getaway for the entire team at the Orlando Fountains Bluegreen Resort in Orlando.
“We really enjoy participating in this event because it’s for a good cause, it’s really fun and a great bonding experience for all of us while we help prevent diabetes,” said Chris Gilmore, Kappa Gopha Shane member and a UF sophomore telecommunications student.
“The Running Rebels” won second place and got tickets for the Orlando Magic vs. New York Knicks basketball game in Orlando for the entire team.
The third place team, “Almost Famous,” won a variety of gift certificates to Gainesville restaurants such as Satchel’s Pizza and Moe’s Southwest Grill.
Get Carded, a UF student organization that educates students about organ and tissue donation, won fourth place. Team members received gift certificates to Gainesville venues.
