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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Excavating Adventures?
Excavating Adventures is a connected world of hands on discovery, combining collectible card packs, real dig specimens, and free interactive online adventures. Students explore real science topics, complete story driven missions, and build a growing collection of real rocks, minerals, and fossils.
2. What is an Adventure Pack and how does it work?
An Adventure Pack is a standalone card-based adventure. Each pack includes 9 educational and collectible cards that guide students through a fun online adventure. As they complete the mission, they earn the reward — a real dig specimen to discover, identify, and collect.
3. How many different adventures are available?
We offer a huge assortment of educational and exciting adventures across science, geography, history, and more. New adventures are added regularly, giving students endless opportunities to explore new topics and locations.
4. How do the online adventures connect to the physical packs?
The cards guide students through a free online adventure where they solve challenges and complete missions. When the adventure is completed, students earn their dig reward, tying the digital experience directly to hands on discovery.
5. Are the online adventures really free?
Yes.
All online adventures are completely free, and free printable cards are available so any student can experience the full adventure even without purchasing a kit.
6. Can students earn free kits?
Yes.
Students who complete an online adventure can earn a free kit, allowing them to continue learning, collecting, and exploring without cost. This is a core part of our mission.
7. What is the overall goal of Excavating Adventures?
The global mission is simple and exciting:
Discover, identify, and collect all 144 real specimens hidden throughout the world of Excavating Adventures.
8. What kinds of specimens are included?
Specimens include real rocks, minerals, fossils, and other geological finds. Many become increasingly exotic and uncommon as collections grow, offering far more depth than typical gem mining kits.
9. Are the specimens real?
Yes.
Every dig contains real specimens, not replicas or toys.
10. What age group are the adventures designed for?
Excavating Adventures is best for ages 7 to 13, though younger students can enjoy them with guidance and older students often love the collecting and challenge elements.
11. Are the adventures educational?
Yes.
All adventures are aligned to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and teach real science concepts through inquiry, storytelling, and hands on discovery.
12. Can teachers use these in classrooms?
Absolutely.
Teachers use Adventure Packs and Mystery Mine Kits for science centers, enrichment, clubs, and classroom rewards. Free online adventures and printable cards make them easy to scale for classrooms.
13. What is the Mystery Mine Trading Card Pack?
The Mystery Mine Trading Card Pack is our most popular product. It includes 9 trading cards and a special dig with 9 real rocks and minerals, making it perfect for collectors, traders, and classrooms.
14. How is Mystery Mine used with adventures?
Mystery Mine is extremely versatile. It can be used:
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As a reward unlocked at the end of an adventure
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To speed up collecting and trading
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As a standalone discovery experience
It works with any adventure.
15. Can students trade cards and specimens?
Yes.
Trading cards and specimens is a huge part of the experience, encouraging social interaction, collaboration, and replayability.
16. How collectible are the cards?
Very collectible.
There are dozens of unique cards across different themes, each with its own design, stats, and story connections.
17. Do adventures have replay value?
Yes.
Students can replay online adventures, revisit cards, trade specimens, and explore different paths. These are not one time experiences.
18. What subscriptions are available?
We offer three Adventure Club subscription options that deliver 4 brand new Adventure Packs every month, plus a Mystery Mine Trading Card Pack.
19. Can subscriptions be canceled?
Monthly subscriptions can be canceled at any time.
Six Month and Twelve Month plans are one time payments and do not renew automatically.
20. Is shipping included?
Free US shipping is included on:
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All Adventure Club subscriptions
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Orders over $25
21. How fast do orders ship?
Orders typically ship within 3 to 5 business days, and tracking information is always provided.
22. Can families choose specific adventure themes?
Yes.
Families and teachers can choose specific topics or locations that match student interests.
23. Is this a good gift?
Yes.
Excavating Adventures is often described as one of the most unique gifts families find, especially for curious kids who love collecting and discovery.
24. Are these kits safe for kids?
Yes.
All materials are classroom safe and age appropriate.
25. Can these be used as enrichment at home?
Definitely.
Many families use them as screen light enrichment, rainy day activities, or family challenges.
26. Do you offer PTA fundraising programs?
Yes.
We offer a PTA fundraising program that allows schools to earn free Mystery Mine Kits through fundraising efforts.
27. Do you have an affiliate program?
Yes.
We offer an affiliate program that provides 20 percent commission on referred sales.
28. Are Excavating Adventures growing?
Yes.
New adventures, specimens, and features are continually being added, making this an expanding world students can grow with.
29. What makes Excavating Adventures different from other science kits?
Excavating Adventures combines real digs, collectible gameplay, interactive storytelling, and free online access into one connected system focused on long term engagement.
30. What is your overall mission?
Our mission is to make high quality exploration and learning available to everyone. Through free online adventures, free printable cards, and the ability to earn free kits, we work to ensure that any student who wants to explore can do so.
31. How do I get started?
Most families start with:
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An Adventure Pack
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Add a Mystery Mine Trading Card Pack
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Upgrade to Adventure Club for the best value
32. Is everything really connected?
Yes.
Every card, specimen, adventure, and reward is part of the same world and mission, making Excavating Adventures a true exploration ecosystem.