Treasure
Week 1998
By:
Michael A. Novak
The day was hot and humid as we pulled into Whispering Hills
Campground in Shreeve, Ohio. Friday was the day to setting up
your campsite, renewing old friendships and starting new ones.
The first nights sleep was interrupted by the heavy downpour
of rain.
Morning came and the rain had stopped. Day one was sponsored
by the SilverSeekers of Ohio, Discovery Electronics , and CoinWorld.
After the announcements of what the days activities were, it
was time to head to the first hunt field. With the large group
around 200 ready to go, hunt master Jim Adams gave the traditional
cry "Detectors up", the air horn sounded and the hunt
began. After finding and retrieving my first target treasure
week 1998 was off with a bang.
 In just 15 minutes the field
was picked clean. It was time for comparing your targets with
your family and friends. I left the field feeling I hadn't found
the number of dimes I thought I should have until catching up
with my father in-law and brother in-law. (They were the ones
who introduced me to this hobby a few years ago) I found out
my numbers were comparable to theirs.
Treasure week is held in the middle of Amish country. That
means homemade bake goods delivered right to the campground.
After lunch and announcements it was time to get to the next
hunt field. Just like the morning hunt we raised our detectors
at the command of our hunt master. The horn sounded and we were
off again to pluck the silver out of the ground. This time being
a bigger field it took longer to sweep it clean but, still shorter
than the 30 minute time limit. Typically the afternoon hunts
have tokens mixed in the field for prizes donated by the sponsors
of day. Like any thing else in life, you have to be in the right
place at the right time to get the tokens. Recovery time before
the last hunt each day was short. With the heat from the day
upon us and the last hunt coming fast, it was time to get a snack,
a drink and a short rest out of the sun in the camper.
By the end of the day I figured I had held my own, comparing
numbers with my father in-law.
 The kids hunts came next. This
to me is the best part of treasure week, as it provides a way
that families can enjoy the same hobby. Detectors shortened by
mom and dad it was time for us to stand by as the future treasure
hunters took center stage. The field is the sandy volleyball
court which makes the targets easy to find but, not without using
a detector. Kids 10 and under found all kinds of different coins.
Some would be to save for their collection, and some to spend
on candy in the camp store. Like the adults hunt the lucky few
finding the tokens turned them in for valuable prizes in the
pavilion.
After dinner it was time for Karoke and dancing in the pavilion.
We got to our camper just as we started to get some more rain.
I'm quite sure it isn't what the tenting community had in mind
for the night.
Sunday morning brought the sun along with a group of gospel
singers to the pavilion early for a Sunday service. Like the
day before and the next 6 days to follow we gathered for announcements
of the day, and we were ready to hit the hunt field. Jim Adam's
would call us to arms again with the same group sponsoring day
two. The hunt went off as planned without a hitch. 
The second hunt was next and we were off and running when
I finally found my first token of the week and hopefully not
my last. What I usually do to refresh myself quick between hunts
is hit the swimming pool for a quick dip, not only do you get
a time to relax with the kids. By the time I started feeling
cooled off it was time for the last hunt. With the hunt starting
the pattern for the week was set. We all had the hopes of getting
lucky and finding more tokens.
After our hunt was over it was time for the kids to try the
skills again in their own hunt field. All three of my kids were
pumped up and ready to go. They too were hopping to get one of
the few lucky tokens in the field. As, the hunt was finishing
I noticed the skies were turning dark and nasty.
What impressed me the most wasn't the wind that came or the
golf ball size hail and heavy downpour it was how everyone was
helping each other get their awnings down and secured. Minelab
& Garrett along with outdoor Outfitters, were our sponsors
for this Monday. The detector sponsored days are my favorite
days to hunt because there is the chance of getting a token that
day for a new detector. Our hunt master's for today are Terry
and Joanne Boerckel. Terry and Joanne started the hunt different
than the previous two days. They did this with a shotgun start,
which means you start anywhere you want on the hunt field. This
makes for a fun time, not only do the hunts last a few minutes
longer, but it changes the routine. After minutes of shear madness
the field was clean and we were on the way counting our finds.
 Between the hunts the kids were
put to the test again of finding coins and tokens from kids hunt
master Ed Burke. My youngest Stephanie was lucky twice getting
two tokens as she had the hot detector it seems. The second hunt
came with it's own twist, you started in the middle of the field
facing out and you were to hunt outwards. The last hunt started
with another shotgun start to round out the day.
That evening weather was a factor as tornado warnings were
out for our area. We were lucky and just got another heavy downpour
with power outages for a few hours. The night hunt was postponed
hunt until Thursday. Even without power everyone was back out
visiting after the rain, laughing and talking by campfires. Tuesday
morning arrived with the hopes of good weather the rest of the
week. Tesoro along with Wray's Treasure shop, were the next sponsors.
Kenny Wray was our hunt master for this day. Luckily the weather
hadn't interfered with the hunts so far, it just made getting
the coins out of the ground a more difficult task.
Day four was under way with the sound of the horn. The hunters
were doing their best to get the coins out of the mud. After
the days hunts the evening activity was the annual auction in
the pavilion. Everything from coins to detector loops and even
some beanie babies were sold.
Wednesday brought us Canada day sponsored by Keene Engineering,
Pro-Mac South, Monarey Detect Enterprise, Superstition Mountain
Treasure Hunter club, and a group from Canada with some adopted
American's. Hunt master Sandy Troyer, started the day with a
group rendition of Oh, Canada before the first hunt. Fun continued
into the evening with bingo to play.
Thursday was Sponsored by White's Electronics', White's of
the Great Lakes, and Fox Metal Detectors. Mark Laflin was our
leader that day guiding us to the tokens for prizes of silver
rounds and gold coins. Between the first and second hunt the
beginner's/novice hunt was held. This hunt was new and sponsored
by The Michigan based D.I.R.T. club and Treasure Week Committee.
Designed for older kids almost ready for the big hunt fields,
as well as the spouse's of the avid hunter's that usually watch.
This was especially fun me as the hunt master to have my wife
and son in the hunt. The avid hunter's now became the spectator's
for this hunt and cheered on the beginner's. It was reported
by a few first timers how sore their legs were in days to follow.
In the evening it was "show and tell".
 Time for everyone to show off
their finds for the year, before the night hunt. The night hunt
is fun finding coins in grass without the aid of flashlights.
Friday was sponsored by Newforce detectors and Silver Buckle
Detection. Gary Manning was our hunt master for the day. Civil
war bullets, mini balls were planted in the hunt field along
with the added bonus of Roman coins. This made for the most unique
hunt for the week. Saturday the final day sponsored by Fisher
Detectors with hunt master Ed Davis in charge. Christmas in July
brought presents to the finder's of the lucky tokens on this
last day of treasure week 1998.
I look forward to once again getting together with old and
new friends at next year's treasure week 1999.
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