Introduction to Games and Contests for Scouts

Outdoor Games

On-Line Games from Boys Life

Indoor Games:

by Merl Whitebook, adapted

Games have always been one of the most important elements of Scouting and of the "Patrol Method".

With "GOOD" games, you can emphasize and practice whatever skill you are teaching that week. A good game or contest will show whether the boys have learned their stuff..AND..they'll have FUN in the process.

Just remember any game can go wrong if YOU let it...explain the rules clearly, make up rules that will stop bad things before they happen like "NO plowing through people or kicking in British Bulldog". Think ahead and make rules up ahead of the game..don't be afraid to change rules as the game is played though. THINK SAFETY! Most of these games can be listed under several categories. Observation is a category that can probably have all the games listed under it.

You'll notice a lot of these games fit right into the Camporee theme. You'll probably want to use them to prepare for the annual Camporee. There are literally thousands of games that can be used in Scouting. Remember that Scouting games should...

1. Be FUN
2. Be SAFE
3. Have a theme or skill involved
4. Have all members participate
5. NO ONE should be forced or scored OUT. If a boy has to leave the game because he got tagged out etc...he will probably go to the side and get into trouble...just keep scores until the end of the game and then honor the winners (patrol, individual...). If you can, honor everyone.

A great source of games is "Woods Wisdom", old Scouting books like "Scoutmasters Handbook", "Patrol Leaders Handbook", "Patrol and Troop Activities", "Program Helps". There are also hundreds of books (non-Scouting) that list thousands of games, go to used book stores for the old ones, for new ones...go to any book store and ask for assistance.

REMEMBER IN ANY GAME YOU PLAY, KEEP IT SIMPLE, MAKE IT FUN AND MAKE IT SAFE.

Contents

1 Pack Relay

Theme: Camping
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: Pack with all items outside per patrol (all same number of items. Unstuff sleeping bag.

Method: Patrol lines up. On signal first member races to other end of room and puts one item in pack, races back...repeat until all items in pack. Line up and give yell.
Scoring: First done wins

2 Sloppy Camp

Theme: Camping
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: Low
Equipment Needed: Complete campsite...

Method: Campsite set up with 20+ items wrong. Patrol has 5 minutes to observe (silently). Then 5 minutes to list all they saw.
Scoring: 1 pt. for each right

3 Tent Pitching

Theme: Camping
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: 1 tent per patrol

Method: On signal patrol sets up tent. After checked by judge, take down, pack up, line up and give yell.
Scoring: First done wins

4 Remote Clove Hitch

Theme: Communication
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: Low
Equipment Needed: 1 large diameter rope at least 50' long

Method: On signal patrol ties clove hitch around a tree that has a circle marked 7-10 around it..no one can enter the circle. One patrol at a time tries it unless you have many large ropes.
Scoring: Fastest wins

5 Flapjack Flipping

Theme: Cooking
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: 1 skillet, 1 flapjack (round tile) per patrol

Method: Patrols line up. On signal first scout runs course flipping a flapjack repeatedly as he goes...repeat all scouts. line up and do yell.
Scoring: First done wins

6 Bow Saw Relay

Theme: Fire Building
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: Per patrol = 1 saw, log 4'x3", supports

Method: Patrols line up facing logs from 20'away.Bowsaw is placed along log. On signal, first scout runs up and saws off 2" slice...repeat until all have done at least once..
Scoring: 1st done = king patrol

7 Match Lighting

Theme: Fire Building
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: 1 board with holes, 1 axe, 5 matches per patrol.

Method: On signal first patrol member races up and has 3 strikes with axe to light a match in log...repeat. First patrol to light or split 5 matches, line up and give yell wins.
Scoring: First done wins

8 String Burning Race

Theme: Fire Building
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: 1 axe, 1 piece of wood, balloon and string, fire box, 3 matches per patrol

Method: On signal patrol properly splits wood, prepare shavings and lights fire until string burns and balloon falls.
Scoring: First done wins

9 Bandage Relay

Theme: First Aid
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: Medium
Equipment Needed: 1 neckerchief per patrol, 3 if splinting

Method: Patrol lines up. On signal first member runs to judge and ties requested bandage...repeat. First patrol done with all wins.
Scoring: First done wins

10 Fireman's Drag Relay

Theme: First Aid
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: Medium
Equipment Needed: None

Method: Half patrol as fireman and half as victims. First fireman runs up to first victim and drags back to other fireman, next fireman rescues next victim and so forth...
Scoring: First patrol done wins

11 Stretcher Race

Theme: First Aid
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: 2 poles, 1 sleeping bag or blanket per patrol balloon and bucket optional.

Method: On signal patrols rig stretcher with equipment provided. Put member or balloon or member with water bucket on stretcher and race a course.
Scoring: First done wins

12 Two-Man Carry Race

Theme: First Aid
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: None

Method: On signal patrol assembles a 2-man carry and races through course, repeat. First patrol to do 4 times, line up and do yell wins.
Scoring: First done wins

13 British Bulldog

Theme: Fun
Team: Troop
Activity Level: Very high
Equipment Needed: None (buttons)

Method: Troop lines up on one side of room (field). IT in center. Leader says "go", all try to get to other side while IT tries to catch them and say "British bulldog 1,2,3". If caught, you join IT. Last one left is the winner. Must be off ground.
Scoring: Last left wins

14 Caterpillar Race

Theme: Fun
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: None

Method: Patrols line up single file behind line. Put chair about 25' in front of patrol. First scout puts hands on floor, others grab ankles of one in front of them. On signal they race up and around chair.
Scoring: First done wins

15 Crows And Cranes

Theme: Fun
Team: Half Troop
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: None

Method: Teams line up in center, back to back. One team crows while other cranes. Leader calls out team name, that team must try to get to their end of room while others try to tag. If tagged, you switch teams. This can go on for ever...
Scoring: None really

16 Hit The Can

Theme: Fun
Team: Troop
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: 5 gallon can, 1 stave, 1 volley or soccer ball

Method: Troop in circle with IT standing on can(5 gal) in middle of circle with stave in hand. Ball (volley or soccer) is passed around and thrown at can, IT guards it with stave. If can is hit, thrower becomes IT.
Scoring: None

17 Jack's Alive

Theme: Fun
Team: None
Activity Level: Low
Equipment Needed: Stick

Method: Heat stick in fire until a few embers are on end. Pass around circle, blow on stick and say "Jack's alive". The person that passes the stick without an ember is marked with it on the forehead. Repeat..
Scoring: Usually none

18 Jump The Shot

Theme: Fun
Team: Troop
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: Shot = 20' rope with bag (weighted) at end

Method: Troop makes large circle. IT in center swings the SHOT in the center, everyone tries to jump it as it gets faster (below knees). If hit, you get 1 penalty point. If hit you are IT.
Scoring: Low score wins

19 Pocket Rope

Theme: Fun
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: None

Method: On signal patrol tries to make the longest rope they can with the things they have in their pockets or on their person. (belts, socks, neckerchiefs, shirts).

Scoring: Longest wins

20 Shoot The Gap

Theme: Fun
Team: Half Troop
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: None

Method: Team (numbered) on each side of room (field). IT in center calls out a number, the number from each side must switch without IT tagging them. If tagged, you become IT and old IT takes your place.
Scoring: None

21 Sleeping Indian

Theme: Fun
Team: Troop
Activity Level: Low
Equipment Needed: 1 blindfold, 1 eraser.

Method: One scout in middle of room, blindfolded with legs crossed and object (eraser) in front of him. Objective is to sneak up and take object and take back to edge of room. Indian points at noise, if pointed at, you go back.
Scoring: None

22 Sleeping Pirate

Theme: Fun
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: Low
Equipment Needed: 2 erasers

Method: Blindfolded pirate sits in middle of room with treasure (2 erasers) in front of him. Troop tries to sneak up on him and take treasure back to edge of room. If pointed at, you go back to edge of room. 1 pt for patrol if successful.
Scoring: High score wins

23 Spud

Theme: Fun
Team: Troop
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: Spud (rag wrapped in tape)

Method: Troop in circle, IT in center calls out name (or number) of scout, and throws spud in air. All scatter until scout called catches spud and yells "spud", all freeze as he picks one to throw the spud at. If hit your IT...repeat.
Scoring: None

24 This Is The Moon

Theme: Fun
Team: None
Activity Level: Low
Equipment Needed: Stick

Method: Leader at campfire asks if they can do EXACTLY as he does. He says "This is the moon(coughs),2 eyes, a nose and a mouth" drawing while saying. The trick is the cough. Ask for volunteers, congratulate if correct, don't tell secret.
Scoring: None

25 Three-Man Tug-O-War

Theme: Fun
Team: 3-Man
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: 1 12' rope, 3 hats or erasers per 3 scouts

Method: 12' rope is made into a loop. 3 scouts grab to form a triangle. Place a hat... about 6' from each scout. On signal they tug until one gets his hat.
Scoring: None

26 Transport

Theme: Fun
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: 2 staves (6'), 1 bleach bottle per patrol

Method: Patrols line up. On signal, first 2 scouts take staves and carry bottle between them to area 30' away, run back and touch next 2, they then race to bottle and carry back...repeat. First patrol to do it 4 times, line up and do yell wins
Scoring: First done wins

27 Tug-O-War

Theme: Fun
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: Large rope, rag for center, 3 marks on ground 10' apart

Method: Patrols make teams to match each other in weight. Rope with center marked is tugged until mark is pulled 10' from center
Scoring: Best wins

28 Tug o war Steal the Bacon

Theme: Fun
Team: 1/2 Troop
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: Tape covered bike tire

Method: Teams line up on opposite ends of room (field). Number team members 1-??. Leader calls out number(s). Number races to center and pull or take tire back to his side. Point if tire brought back.
Scoring: 1 point if tire retrieved

29 Hot Isotope

Theme: Knots
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: 1 heavy rubber band, 1 #10 can, 6 ropes per patrol

Method: Can set in center of infected area. On signal patrol uses equipment provided to retrieve can out of area without entering it.
Scoring: First done wins

30 Knot Relay

Theme: Knots
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: 1 rope per patrol

Method: Patrols line up facing judges. On signal first member runs up and ties requested knot for judge. First patrol to tie all knots, line up and give yell wins
Scoring: First done wins

31 Knot Trail (Kim's)

Theme: Knots
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: Low
Equipment Needed: 5-10 pieces of rope

Method: Several pieces of rope are tied together between 2 trees (50'apart) with several kinds of knots. Patrol has 1 minute to walk along rope (silently) then they depart and have 5 min. to list in order. 1pt for each right.
Scoring: 1 pt for ea. right

32 Log Raising Relay

Theme: Knots
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: 1 log, 1 50' rope per patrol

Method: On signal patrol rigs log raising devise with materials provided. Must raise to top. First to top and gives yell wins.
Scoring: First done wins

33 One Hand Knots

Theme: Knots
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: Low
Equipment Needed: 1 rope, bag (opt.) per patrol

Method: Same as any knot relay except that limited to tying with one hand only. Variation...2 hands behind back, or 2 hands in bag.
Scoring: First done wins

34 Flagpole Raising

Theme: Lashings
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: 2 poles, 1 patrol flag, 7 ropes per patrol

Method: On signal patrol assembles flagpole from poles and their patrol flag. When erected and secure, salute and give yell. Disassemble and line up.
Scoring: First done wins

35 Rat Trap Race 

Theme: Lashings
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: 2-3 poles, 2-4 ropes, 1 rat trap per patrol

Method: On signal patrols assemble 2 or 3 section pole and try to spring rat trap that is set up too far from reach with one pole. Disassemble line up and give patrol yell.
Scoring: First done wins

36 Tripod Lashing

Theme: Lashings
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: 3 poles, 2 ropes per patrol

Method: On signal the patrol assembles a tripod. One member must be able to suspend himself from a rope attached at top. Disassemble line up and give yell.
Scoring: First done wins

37 Map Symbol Relay

Theme: Map
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: Symbol cards or maps or paper and pencil for each patrol

Method: Patrols line up. On signal first member runs to judge and identifies symbol from card or map or draws on request. First patrol done with all cards or identifies set number of symbols wins King Patrol.
Scoring: First done wins

38 Height Measuring

Theme: Measuring
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: Low
Equipment Needed: None

Method: Patrols try to estimate the height of the flag pole, tree... using any method from the Scout Handbook.
Scoring: Patrol nearest wins

39 Kim's Game

Theme: Observation
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: Low
Equipment Needed: 20 items, sheet or newspaper...as cover.

Method: Spread 20 items on table and cover. Patrol comes up and has 1 minute to look (no talking). They then depart and have 5 minutes to list them. 1 point for each correct answer.

Scoring: 1pt for ea. item

40 Candle Relay

Theme: Swimming
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: 1 candle, 1 book of matches per patrol

Method: Patrol lines up in pool. First man swims with lighted candle up and back the length of the pool and hands to next scout...repeat. First done and give yell, wins. Have candle lighters (Scoutmasters) along the edge of the pool
Scoring: First done wins

41 Lifeline Relay

Theme: Swimming
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: Medium
Equipment Needed: Per patrol = 1 rope(25'+), target(5'pole to simulate outstretched arms.

Method: Patrols line up in relay formation. On signal first scout throws line at target, next scout coils rope and throws...repeat until the target has been hit 6 times.
Scoring: 1st done is king patrol

42 Spoon Race

Theme: Swimming
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: 1 spoon, 1 egg per patrol

Method: Patrols in relay formation in pool. On signal first scout swims with spoon in mouth with egg on spoon. Swim to marker or edge of pool and return. Repeat.
Scoring: First done wins

43 Wet T-Shirt Relay

Theme: Swimming
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: 1 tee shirt per patrol

Method: Half of patrol on each side of pool. First swimmer wears tee shirt, swim relay...exchanging and wearing tee before diving in and swimming. First patrol to finish (in tee) wins.
Scoring: First patrol done wins

44 Capture The Flag

Theme: Wide Game
Team: Half Troop
Activity Level: High
Equipment Needed: 2 flags (neckerchiefs...)

Method: Flags within 200' of center and visible. Guards must not be within 50' of flag unless chasing enemy. Jail is 50' from line. Free walk back if rescued.1/5 hr. time limit...flag captured or most prisoners is winner.
Scoring: See above

45 Shoe Hunt

This game takes place on a clear grassy area. A 50 ft. circle is marked on the grass with a 10 ft. circle in the center. All Scouts remove their shoes, place them in the center, and move out of the 50 ft. circle. The judge mixes the shoes and then gives the go signal. Patrol members must find their own shoes, put them on, tie them, and get back to the outer circle standing in a line. Scoring is by time (the number of seconds it takes subtracted from 180) a 10 point penalty is charged for any shoes not properly tied or buckled.

46 Bowline-Sheet Bend Draw

Each participant needs a 6 ft. rope. Patrols form into pairs facing each other. On "go" each Scout ties a bowline around his own waist, the first one done then ties his rope to his partner's with a sheet bend. The two partners then lean back and raise their hands. Scoring: the number of seconds used subtracted from 120. Add a bonus of 5 points for each correct knot.

47 Blind Compass Walk

For each patrol, set an appropriate number of small marked stakes in the ground about 1.5 meters apart in a north/south line. Give each Scout an orienteering compass and a paper bag, and stand him beside one of his patrol's stakes. Scouts from one patrol set their compasses between 45 degrees and 135 degrees, while those from the opposing patrol set theirs between 225 degrees and 315 degrees. The boys then put the bags over their heads so that all they can see is the ground and their compasses.

On signal, Scouts spin around three times then follow the bearings on their compasses for 100 steps. They turn and follow a back bearing (arrow pointing towards instead of away from them) for 95 steps. Only Scouts who finish within 10 steps of their marker score. The winning patrol has the highest score. Pony Express Race

48 What Happened?

Prepare a tracking pit by raking a sandy area about 3 by 4.5 m. Stage three simple scenes: a blind man with a cane enters the pit and is joined by someone who takes his arm and escorts him away; four men carry a picnic table into the pit, set it down, sit on the benches, get up, pick up the table and carry it off; a heavily-burdened person stumbles into the pit and collapses before two others enter, pick him up and carry him off. Patrols study tracks for 5 minutes, discuss them, then relate their deductions to Scouter. Give no indication of their accuracy. When all have reported, rake pit and have track-makers repeat their actions for the troop.

49 Leg Wrestling

This is a trial of skill between two Scouts. They lie on their backs side by side with elbows locked and heads pointing in opposite directions. Together they count three. On the first and second count they bring each inside leg up to a vertical position. On the third count they vigorously lock legs and attempt to roll the other fellow up onto his shoulders and thence completely over. It isn't always the heaviest Scout that wins.

50 Swat Tag

Boys form circle, with hands held open behind back. A knotted towel, old boxing glove or Swat Club can be used for this game. "It" places club in hand of someone in the circle, who proceeds to hit Scout to the right of him until player has run around circle, returning to his position. (Players are not allowed to look around but must have eyes straight ahead.)

51 Compass Facing

Theme: Compass
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: Low
Equipment Needed: None (compass for leader)

Method: Troop in mass, leader calls out a compass heading. Everyone points to where he thinks it is. If correct, each scout receives 1 pt for his patrol.
Scoring: Highest score wins

52 Map Orienteering

Theme: Compass
Team: Patrol
Activity Level: Low
Equipment Needed: 1 map and compass per patrol

Method: On signal, patrol races to judge. They must take map and orient it with compass.
Scoring: First done wins

King Patrol

King Patrol is not really a game but rather a way to do most of the games presented in this booklet.
Team: Patrol
Activity: Varies
Equipment: A Triangular shaped wood plaque (about 9”X9”X9”) with cup hooks along the bottom (one for each patrol -1) and a cup hook at the top (king Patrol). Make one triangle plaque for each event...i.e...Knots, nature, camping, compass, first aid, uniform, fire building...etc.
Also needed is enough paper disks (like buddy tags) for each patrol to have one on each plaque (with their totem on it).

Method: Run game as usual. At the end of the game, have the winning patrol put their tag to the top of the triangle (replacing former King). This will spur a lot of competition among the patrols...allow patrols to challenge if time allows. This is a great way to constantly tune the patrols for Camporees etc.

*Plaques can also be decorated with a symbol of the event i.e. Tent for camping...