Scurrying scavengers happily greet Wildcat Egg Hunt's return

Penn College's sixth Wildcat Egg Hunt – bigger than ever, after a two-year pause necessitated by COVID-19 – saw about 120 children scampering about the main campus lawn early Sunday afternoon. "We started filling the 3,500 or so Easter eggs last week," said Chet Beaver, coordinator of veteran and military services, who has overseen the popular event since it began in 2015.



"We had some help from the Student Veterans Organization, Dining Services and Sigma Pi fraternity."  Candy was donated by faculty and staff from across campus, as well as by the Alpha Chi honor society, Business Club and the student veterans. Snacks and water were provided by Dining Services and the School of Business, Arts & Sciences. "The Physician Assistant Club was there doing temporary tattoos," the organizer added. "This was their first time with us, and it was a big hit with the kids."

The children, divided into three age groups (0-3, 4-7 and 8-10), collected all of the eggs in a half-hour, affirmation that the time was ripe for a reprise. "Everyone told us how happy they were that we were back again," Beaver said, already looking forward to Wildcat Egg Hunt 7 (and hinting at "some additions" to the event).

– Photos by Frank T. Kocsis III, student photographer

 

The hunt was centered around The Victorian House and spread to the nearby campus mall ...

PA Club members saw steady traffic at their temporary-tattoo table, an added attraction for Wildcat Egg Hunt 6. From left are Kori-Ann Angelique Taylor, Gabrielle Fries, Courtney Lily Petrilak and Latricia Rae Yocum.

The steady hand of a physician assistant student affixes some non-permanent ink to a child's hand.

... where thousands of candy-filled prizes colorfully beckoned.

So many eggs, such little hands

A tip from this bunny-level searcher: The best eggs are closest to the ground.

A youngster's determination says, "I've got this" while adding to a handful of goodies ...

... and "No, thank you" to an offer of alternate transport.

A chick-toting kiddo strategizes while assessing the egg-speckled field of play.

Taking a tag-team approach

Anticipation mounts as Beaver (off-screen) prepares to sound the starting signal, purposely (and playfully) delaying the horn's blast for seconds that seemed like hours.

Stylin' and strollin'

... whose movements were more brisk than even the chilly early-spring air.

With so much bounty at stake, there's no time to waste!

Not even some passing snow flurries deterred the egg hunters ...

Another "quicker picker-upper" snags a keeper.

Enjoying the spoils of a good few minutes' work