Hawaii Escape Challenge

When Hawaii Escape Challenge came to my workplace last Halloween, I decided to sign up because it sounded fun and Conan O’Brien tried something similar on his show (he did not escape, ha). I had no idea what to expect, and scarier yet, I was with people I didn’t really know.
We ended up with only four team members, three professors (Math, English, Anthropology) and a wild card (a wacky foreign lady with a inclination for picking locks). We were instantly impressed when we stepped into the portable, which had been transformed from a boring office into a virus room. We were greeted by our host, Keo, who explained the situation: our team was tasked with finding a cure for a deadly virus in 60 minutes. No pressure.
There were all sorts of interesting items in the room (lock boxes, puzzles, even a movable labyrinth thingie!). It was up to us to find all the hidden clues, solve the puzzles and riddles and basically figure out how everything was connected.
The puzzles were challenging but not impossible, which was a perfect balance. If it’s too easy participants won’t feel accomplished but if it’s too hard they might give up! Keo stayed in the room and offered us encouragement and guidance. For a price. The neat part was that each person on our team contributed in their own way. It was a bonding experience and I can see why companies use escape rooms for team building.
In the end we triumphed. I couldn’t wait to brag about our success to my coworkers. I am definitely planning on getting a group of friends together to try it out. If you’re looking for a fun activity, a way to bond with your friends or colleagues or if you just want to try something new, I highly recommend Hawaii Escape Challenge.