What is a Sea Glass Challenge?
If I count back correctly, the Sea Glass Challenge was started in 2008 on a beautiful July or August beach day by me (I’m Dad). The kids were bored and restless (which astounds me, since the beach is endless fun) and I needed something to occupy them. I thought awhile about it. I wanted an activity that I could draw upon for at least the remainder of that beach season. If it had even more legs — all the better. I though that searching for sea glass would be great, since it was a timeless beach activity that we could all enjoy. It was a hit.
Sea Glass Challenge Rules
The rules were pretty simple: whoever found the most pieces won “a treat” to be defined later (which was good enough for the kids back then!). The only other rule was that the pieces had to be sufficiently “smoothed”. While smoothed is somewhat subjective, everybody caught on pretty quickly.
The First Sea Glass Challenge
That first year was definitely a training year. The sea glass piece-counts weren’t too high. I ended up winning which was good, since I really didn’t know how I was going to fulfill the prize If I hadn’t (candy? a movie? ??). As I recall, I pulled ahead on the last beach day before school started! I think my total was 34 pieces of sea glass.
The Next Year
That following year was insane. Three of us (the kids and I) took in over 300 pieces of sea glass each, and the others came in close to 300. The competitiveness got to be a little too much and feelings were often hurt. One of the kids won, but I can’t remember what they got. We did get some great pieces that year. However, it wasn’t as much fun as I had planned.
The State of the Sea Glass Challenge Now
The third year of the Challenge saw a big change. I wanted it to be less aggressive. Fortunately, the kids had moved beyond “the prize” — and quantity of sea glass — and moved on to the shared experience of the hunt, the time together, and quality of sea glass. Kids grow up. The best thing is that we still look for sea glass and that its more fun than ever.
Treasure Sea Glass 
hi! loved your story! i went to a fishing village in Fortesque NJ. in two days,two hours a friend and i collected over 30lbs! we were not being greedy. I teach recycled and nature art to children who go to the B&G Club of America. these children rarily get out of the citys. Sea class is like gold to them! its so much fun seeing there faces when they see pictures of the beach and sea glass glittering in the sand. Explaining how this happened to the glass and how it got in the ocean! I wish we had more funds to take the children to this beach, so they can experience the fun of hunting and finding so many pieces each.Guranteed! I hope these kids get to go to this beach before they grow up! Ill just keep trying to bring little wonders into there lives. Thanks again! Mrs Potter Hoboken NJ B&G Club July 2012
Good for you Dad! Sandra in Norfolk
I’m going to try the Sea Glass Challenge with my kids!