Expedition Fetch

Frequently Asked Questions

What is it?

Expedition Fetch is an adventure race, much like a community-wide scavenger hunt. It is also a fundraiser to benefit  the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County. 

On event day, the challenge list will be sent to registered teams via the Bonfyre app at 10:00 a.m.. Teams will strategize the order in which they will solve, find and/or do the things outlined in the challenges and make a plan to source any materials needed. As teams complete challenges, they will capture proof of their antics and upload photos/videos to be validated by race HQ before advancing to the next challenge. 

Teams have 3 hours to complete as many of the challenges as possible. The first team to complete the entire list is the winner. 

How do we sign up?

Registration is open!  Complete a quick form with a $25 fee by clicking “Join a Team” at https://givebutter.com/expeditionfetch2026.

What are the challenges like?

Challenges span physical, mental, and community-based, and can be tackled in any order your team chooses. Expect plenty of laughs, a few surprises, and memories that will stick with your group long after the event wraps up!

For example, your team might be asked to find a local veteran and honor their service with a set of push-ups at their feet. Maybe your group gets challenged to chew a clove of garlic for 15 seconds in the name of good health. Or perhaps you’ll partner with a neighborhood business for a blind scent test and see who can identify the winning smell.

A few days before the event, you’ll receive an email with instructions for downloading the app you’ll use to submit proof of completed challenges to Event HQ. From there, you can also chat with other teams and track everyone’s progress in real time.

Can my pet race too?

Yes, well-behaved pets are welcome to join in on the fun! Please keep the following in mind:

• Leashes required: All dogs must be kept on a leash at all times during the race.
• Some locations may have pet restrictions, so be prepared for the possibility that your furry companion has to sit out a few stops.
• Bring water for them too: If your pet is joining you, please make sure you have enough water to keep them hydrated throughout the race.
• Watch the heat! As our event is in late August, pavement and other surfaces may get too hot for paws. Please check conditions beforehand and make sure your pet’s paws can handle the terrain safely. Be vigilant for the following signs of overheating: excessive panting or difficulty breathing; increased heart and respiratory rate; vomiting or diarrhea; excessive drooling; weakness, stupor, or collapse.

We love seeing four-legged participants; just keep their comfort and safety top of mind!

Where do we race?

The event is contained within Pierce County, with Tacoma being the main focus. While certain challenges are tied to a specific location, others can be completed from wherever your team happens to be.

Some challenges may require you to gather supplies along the way — whether that means making a small purchase at a nearby store or borrowing an item from a neighbor.

Will there be prizes?

There will be finisher medals for the first three teams to complete the race. There will also be small prizes for best photo/video and best team costume.

We are also offering fundraising incentives for teams that raise over/above the $300 minimum.

• $500+: vinyl stickers for the team 
• $1,000+: a bonus clue for the team
• $1,500+: Expedition Fetch t-shirts for the team
• $2,500+: 2 on-demand hints during the race, provided by HQ
• $3,500+: a 5 minute advantage with early challenge delivery

How can my team prepare/practice?

There’s no suggested training regimen, but there are plenty of ways to build team rapport before event day!

Consider practicing some Minute to Win It games together as a warm-up, or challenge yourselves to learn a few TikTok dances — you never know what might come in handy!

It’s also worth thinking through event-day roles for your teammates ahead of time. For example, you might designate a chief strategist to help prioritize and map out your approach, a researcher to handle sourcing supplies and quick lookups, and a team photographer and/or designated driver to keep things moving smoothly.

Finally, don’t underestimate the power of a great team costume! Deciding on a theme and pulling together your look is a fun team-building activity in itself and it sets the tone for your day of adventure.

What are the team requirements? Can I race by myself?

This event is built for teams and solo participation isn’t recommended. We suggest a minimum of 2 people and a maximum of 8 per team.

Once a group exceeds 7 or 8 people, the experience can start to lose its spark. Larger groups may have trouble fitting everyone into photos and videos, and it can become difficult to keep all participants feeling engaged and involved.

That said, larger groups are absolutely welcome. We simply recommend dividing into smaller sub-teams so everyone gets the most out of the experience.

One important note: teammates must participate together in person on event day. Your full team will need to appear together in photos and videos in order to successfully complete challenges, so be sure to build your team with people who can physically be there with you.

Is the event kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Kids of all ages are welcome to join in the fun.

Please note that all participants age 10 and older must be registered members of the team. Children under 10 are welcome to tag along on the adventure, though without a registered email they won’t have access to the event app.

Our production partners have had racers as young as 4 fully enjoy the experience and it’s not uncommon to see teams out on the course with toddlers in strollers or little ones in baby carriers!

If we can't race, can we be refunded?

Registration fees and any donations in support of your team are non-refundable and will be retained as donations to the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County.

However, registrations are transferable within teams through Friday, August 14, 2026. Contact us for details.

If your team decides to withdraw from the event, please let us know so we can remove you from future event communications.

What do we need to participate?

Since this is an on-the-go event, you’ll need access to a vehicle and a licensed driver. We also recommend that your team travel together in a single vehicle as space allows.

This is a tech-forward event, so make sure at least one team member has a fully charged smartphone capable of taking photos and video, making calls, sending texts, and browsing the internet. It’s strongly recommended that everyone bring a charging cable and/or a backup power bank; a dead battery is the last thing you want mid-event!

To communicate with HQ, you’ll need to download our designated app (Bonfyre). An invitation will be sent the week of the event to all registered teammates.

A few other things worth having on hand:

• A map of the area, a pen or pencil, and something to take notes on. Local knowledge can be a real advantage!
• Your ID, just as a precaution
• A small amount of cash in case a challenge requires a minor purchase or you want to grab a snack or water along the way
• Sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, and hand sanitizer

Get familiar with your camera’s timer function and/or dig your selfie stick out of deep storage; group shots will be part of the fun!

Most importantly, bring a sense of adventure. That’s the only thing you truly can’t leave home without.