KINGSTON, R.I. – April 5, 2012 – Looking for a fun way to explore the University of Rhode Island campus and win great prizes? On April 12 and 13, URI will give a modern twist to a campus-wide scavenger hunt.

Using the SCVNGR program, a social location-based gaming platform for mobile phones, students can complete a trek around the Kingston campus to earn points toward prizes. The scavenger hunt will be called “Thinking Big at URI” to spread the University’s “Think Big” brand throughout the campus community.

Students can download the free application onto their smart phones or participate through text messages on standard cell phones. At each stop along the trek, the application will prompt the player to check in, then take a photo or answer a question about the location. Students earn points for each challenge, and whoever reaches a minimum of 20 points over the two-day period will be entered into a raffle for a chance to pick a prize. Prizes include a full refund of a parking pass for the 2011-2012 academic year from the Department of Communications and Marketing with Parking Services, a four-pack of tickets to DAYGLOW: Life in Color at the Ryan Center, a printer/scanner/copier from RAM Computers, six free large pizza vouchers for Hungry Rhody’s local vendors, a $50 credit for the on-campus rental car service Connect by Hertz, and a variety of URI apparel and novelty items.

Colleges and universities nationwide have used SCVNGR to help prospective and current students become more familiar with their campuses. URI’s SCVNGR trek will highlight the big thinking that has occurred on campus, as well as the big things yet to come. The goal is to engage students in a different, modern way using social media.

The free SCVNGR application is available for iPhone and Android phones. When playing on other cell phones, standard text messaging fees apply.

This release was written by Danielle Sanda, an intern in URI’s Department of Communications and Marketing and a public relations major.

For Information: Kisha Tapangan 956-622-0590 or Danielle Sanda 401-874-2504