Frequently Asked Questions

Here.

HCAV.

The world's second best scavenger hunt. One weekend of doing stupid crap for imaginary points, competing against other teenagers @ Hack Club for imaginary glory. And prizes that may or may not be imaginary.

Friday October 30 to Monday November 2. Unfortunately.

Teenagers 13-18. This event is part of Hack Club, the nonprofit network of technical teenagers. You should probably sign up for Hack Club before participating.

Also, to provide some recourse against the inevitable barrage of cheating and abuse that will befall upon us, we require your Hack Club account to be ID-verified to participate. The Panopticon thanks you for your co-operation.

Mostly plagiarism, laughter, and sleep deprivation, in an attempt to complete the most Items and win glory.

Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology that allows devices, such as headphones, keyboards, and phones, to communicate without cables. It operates in the 2.4 GHz radio band and minimizes interference by rapidly "hopping" between dozens of narrow channels, which ensures that your connection remains stable even in busy environments. Before two devices can collaborate, they complete a process called pairing, during which they exchange security keys so that future communication is encrypted and trusted. Once connected, devices use standardized profiles (for example, one for streaming audio and another for input devices) to ensure that everyone is speaking the same language. Finally, Bluetooth Low Energy, a power-efficient variant, enables small devices like fitness trackers to send brief updates while preserving battery life.

On Friday, we release a list of Items. You and your friends waste your weekend trying to complete them, posting completed Items in a Slack channel as you go. We check them and give you points. Whichever team has the most points wins.

No. You can submit anything you make here to any program that'll accept it. We're not sure many programs will.

It'll help.

Did your third grade teacher make you commit tax fraud?

Good ones. Think "a CVE", "the Moon", "give another Hack Clubber a haircut", and "Gerbil Space Program".

It's like Kerbal Space Program but with gerbils. You have to code it yourself!

Please don't.

No, but you might be miserable without one.

Big.

If you'd like to create a team, click the beautiful button below. If you'd like to join one, click the other button below.

We're sorry, button.

Yes. Real ones, even.

It's a secret, but we can tell you that they're not the friends you made along the way. In fact, you'll probably lose some friends along the way. Please plan accordingly.

By the Organizers. Each Item has a point value. If you complete it to our satisfaction, you get those points. One Item completion per team. If we really like your solution, we MIGHT give you a bonus point or two. No promises.

Only if it's impressive.

Yes, unless it's a bad interpretation.

We take Bitcoin, Ethereum, mailed check, and PayPal.

You can certainly try.

No. It's more fun that way. If you disagree, please refer to "Can I bribe the Organizers?"

The Organization.

We are.

The University of Chicago's annual Scav hunt. For those fortunate enough to not go to UChicago, HCAV is a suitable replacement.

You don't. We contact you.

Dial (248)-434-5508.

Please direct any complaints to @The Organization on Slack.

Let's survive this one first.

Make sure you have a team. We recommend teaming up with people you consider disposable. Otherwise, eat a big breakfast and sleep in advance.

Crimes are only illegal if you don't get caught.

However your heart desires.

No.