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Holiday Scavenger Hunt & Hot Cocoa at a Gem & Mineral Museum

Holiday Hot Cocoa (Photo by Jill Wellington)

Holiday Scavenger Hunt & Hot Cocoa at a Gem & Mineral Museum

Dec 13, 20242 min read

Things can get a little hectic during the holidays — crowded big box stores, long lines nearly everywhere you go, wild ‘n crazy drivers on the roads, etc. — but cradling a cup of hot cocoa allows you to pause, sip, and savor the season.

On Saturday, December 21, the University of Arizona’s Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum invites you to do just that (and more). Over at 115 N. Church Ave., they’re hosting a Holiday Scavenger Hunt with a hot cocoa cart.

It’ll be a night of exploring the galleries because the scavenger hunt consists of finding certain minerals and gems along with neat facts about each. Have some fun with it — expand your smarts by learning what a Diopside is or why the molecular structures of Calcite are so unique.

Oh, and there’s complimentary hot cocoa! They’ll be offering a handful of different toppings, too, if you’re in the mood to bedazzle your beverage.

All ages are welcome and it’s just $5 to get in on Saturday, December 21 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

There’s something special about hot cocoa and a scavenger hunt — it’s nostalgic, interactive, sweet, and brings people together during the holidays.

The University of Arizona Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum is committed to educating the public and preserving its extensive natural history collection. Catering to the research needs of professionals, students, and collectors alike, the museum showcases a globally diverse collection with a special focus on minerals from Arizona and Mexico.

There are multiple parking garages and lots with public access. There is also metered street parking available near the courthouse.

The Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum is located at 115 N. Church Ave. For more information, visit gemandmineralmuseum.arizona.edu and follow the museum on Instagram.

Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.

He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.

If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.

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