Capture-the-Flag Day in Cross Country

Tuesday- tomorrow- will be our third Cross Country practice of the year and at last the kids will be allowed to play 'Capture-the-Flag'.

This is the running game they've all been waiting for. We play it in Lam Tsuen Park. It combines treasure hunting, tag, hide-and-seek and orienteering. Of course over the years we've added our own special NIS twists to the game.

For this year I've changed a few things. There will be fewer rules. There will be more for everyone to do. There will be more problem-solving. And each game will go faster, so we'll fit more games into one practice session.

Here are some FAQs about Capture-the-Flag and their answers:

What do the kids get out of it?

They get at least 40 minutes of continuous concentration and movement, with lots of natural breaks, fast sprints, and steady jogs all mixed up together. They also get a sense of adventure and exploration. The game develops their imagination. And it's FUN!

What are the values of the game?

Capture-the-Flag demands Integrity. People with integrity will follow the rules of a game even when they are not being watched. People with integrity will do their best to play fair and do the right thing even when there is no clear rule to follow.

This game also demands a high Work-Rate. To make the game fun and useful to our team, we need to make sure we are always doing something- raiding, treasure-hunting, scouting, or questing. When you've finished one job, immediately find another one to do.

Is it hard to learn?

No. The kids will learn it in about 5 minutes.

Is it dangerous?

Capture-the-Flag is strictly NON-CONTACT. The kids raid and capture each other by 'tagging', just like they do in TAG Rugby. The game area in the park is quite enclosed and easy to supervise. The students know that they have to take care of one another and each player has a responsibility to avoid bumping, tripping or causing other accidents.



I'm really looking forward to it!