ATHOL – Photographs over the years show dozens of smiling and eager youngsters dressed in warm winter clothing racing up steep snow-covered hills and down snow-cleared pathways, all hoping to uncover hidden “treasures” planted throughout the landscape.
On Monday, Feb. 18, the 97th annual George Washington Hatchet Hunt will bring a new generation of roughly 300 children to the grounds of Athol-Royalston Middle School and Athol Community Elementary School to search for three coveted hatchets and about 50 prizes, including a bicycle, games and toys, all donated by local merchants and individuals.
The George Washington Hatchet Hunt was the creation of longtime Athol YMCA general secretary Alexander “Johnnie” Johnstone in 1922. Johnstone, inspired by Washington’s legendary “I cannot tell a lie” when confronted about chopping down a cherry tree with a hatchet, wanted to instill on area youth the integrity and honesty of the founding father of our country. The event has traditionally been held on Washington’s birthday, now known as Presidents’ Day and a school holiday.
Husband and wife team Jason and Laura Robinson of Athol have been organizing the Hatchet Hunt (or as Jason calls it “the mad dash for prizes”) since 2011. When Jason was 11 or 12, he was a member of Boy Scout Troop 72 when Lt. Bob Shepardson of the Athol Fire Department ran the event. After Boy Scouts, Robinson started helping, only missing the hunt two times when he left for Army basic training. Laura, he said, “married into it.”
For a time, they were using a GPS system for hiding and locating the prizes, but it was found that on a cold day the battery would freeze. Well-acquainted with the land layout, Robinson now uses his own method, writing down hints and taking pictures of the sites where the prize tickets are hidden.
A designated area named after Don Shepardson who ran the preschool hunt will enable each preschoolers to receive a prize. They can also go for the regular prizes. The hunt is open to anybody up to age 15.
Weather plays an important role each year, and if it’s cold, there will be a large bonfire where people can warm themselves. “Our big message to parents is to please make sure their children are dressed appropriately for the weather,” said Robinson, who has seen children in pajama bottoms and tennis shoes in frigid temperatures. Digging shovels and gardening tools are prohibited. “Prizes are hidden so that you don’t need tools to bring them up,” plus it makes it difficult for other children digging by hand nearby, Robinson said.
The Robinsons are already thinking about planning for the Hatchet Hunt’s 100th anniversary in 2022. In 2012 a special ax etched with the Town of Athol seal was awarded to commemorate the 90th anniversary.
Hot cocoa will be provided by Nick’s Restaurant and Hannaford Supermarket will donate hot dogs.
The hunt is held rain or shine and in the event of severe weather, it will be postponed until the following Saturday.