Another Game
Paul Miles (PGM01@ALBNYDH2.BITNET)
Fri, 28 Jan 1994 14:39:16 -0600
Subject Another Game
Chris, thanks for the balloon game. We'll try it soon.
Thought I'd pass along a game that lets the kids have fun but makes 'em use a
Scout skill and strategy without them knowing it! It needs to be played
outdoors - but warm weather should be coming :-)
Equipment: 1 compass for each team, several identifying ribbons, one color for
each team, attached to trees, pre-set compass courses w/ 6 to 10 bearings, one
for each team.
Players: Any number of teams with equal numbers of members. Keep in mind
someone has to set a course for each team.
Preparation: Set up the required number of courses. They should not have a
distance of more than 100 - 130 feet 60 - 75 feet is preferred. The courses
should cross each other a few times or can even be the same point, however at
different legs of the course. Each team starts with a card with a bearing on
it and follows it to a tree marked with their color. Subsequent bearings are
written on the marker on the tree. The last marked tree tells them to go to
their "Home Base". We also use markers on several adjacent trees just to trick
'em.
Object of the game: To complete the course and return to "Home Base" with the
most number of scouts avoiding "capture" by opposing teams.
Rules: Each team sets out on their own color course, from different "Homes
Bases" they try to avoid having the opposing team members capture them. They
are only safe when touching a properly marked tree. A scout is captured when
the opponent catches them between trees and wraps their arms around them for a
count of five.
If a scout goes to a wrong tree, he has to return to the last safe tree and
try again. This keeps a kid form just scouting around for the right tree.
An entire team, or what's left of one, must have all members complete the leg
before going on to the next tree.
A Scout may leave a safe tree to go out to capture another scout at any time.
However, teams must complete the leg they are on before going on to the next
tree.
After playing a few times, they start to develop strategies like having their
fastest guy run to what they think is the next tree and make a positive
identification.
We don't have a name for this game yet (any suggestions?) but it did receive
what I think is a high honor after the first time I set it up.... all the boys
said "Awsome, can we do it again?" BTW, to play again, just reverse the colors
of respective teams. They don't keep track of the other teams routes.
Paul G. Miles
Scoutmaster, Troop 18
Greenfield Center, New York
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
