EMBLEM HELPS
Recreational Sports
Alaskan Baseball
Props needed: A rubber chicken
Grade level: Any age
Focus: Working together
How to play:
Split the group into two teams. Throw the rubber chicken and have one group chase after the
chicken. When they catch the chicken they should line up one behind the other and pass the chicken down the line, over and under. When the last person in line gets the chicken they shout STOP and throw the chicken.
The other group that did not chase the chicken should aim to score as many runs as possible before the person shouts STOP. To score runs one person must run around the group as many times as they can before they hear stop. When they hear stop it is their turn to chase after the chicken, form the line and pass the chicken over and under while the other group scores runs.
You can set a goal for the number of runs to be scored for the game to be over, or just go until the participants start to lose enthusiasm.
DEVOTIONAL
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NIV)
Unity – it’s an interesting word isn’t it? Alaskan Baseball focuses on your team having unity. Unity means to have a state of accord or harmony. How many team sports exist because one person does all the work? Sure a quarterback is essential to getting to the Super Bowl, but you can’t win it without the rest of the team.
God works in and through us. By being a part of the team and supporting each other we are working to be like Him.
Shipwreck
Props needed: None
Grade Level: 5th and up
Focus: Quick thinking and team work
How to play:
The biggest deal with this game is to gather your participants and hold their attention for the directions. They are simple . . . but lengthy. The ideal follows the guidelines of “Simon Says” but spices it up a bit.
The leader calls out commands and the participants work as fast as they can to find partners and act out the given commands. If the participant does the wrong command, the group doesn’t have enough members or the participant is left without a complete group then they are disqualified.
The commands:
Man overboard: 2 people – one on all fours and the other standing behind holding their hand up over their eyes as if they are looking for a lost crew mate.
Crow’s Nest: 3 people – three people link arms forming a circle facing away from each other. Then you spin creating a crow’s nest with a 360 degree view.
King’s Table: 4 people – Four people squat down, two on each side of an imaginary table and act as though they are eating really fast and really loud. Making grunting and eating noises while motioning with their hands, like they are eating.
Walk the Plank: 5 people – Five people stand one behind the other with their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them. They sing the tune of “Woe Begotten Prisoners.”
Row the Boat: 6 people – Six people sitting crossed legged one behind the other in a row. Participants row the boat while singing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat . . .”
Seasick: 1 person – Individually participants stop where they are and hold their stomach and act as though they are vomiting. The sounds are required!! This is a great way to catch them off guard and it is really funny.
Jellyfish: 1 person – Individually participants stop and wave their arms like a floating jellyfish making sounds like “woo, woo” and “swish, swish.”
DEVOTIONAL
SCRIPTURE
Ephesians 6:10-20
There are hundreds of thousands of ships that set sail every day. Before they push off from the docks there are things they each must do. One of them is to check for all safety gear and equipment.
In Ephesians 6, Paul reminds us to make sure we too are equipped – with the armor of God. Breastplates, swords, helmets, shields . . . all of these things to ensure we are protected from the sin that surrounds us.
Even though sometimes we feel like we can’t weather the storm, just think of the number of boats that go out each day . . . and go through your own safety check. Are you protected?
Submitted By:
Chenon Rainwater
Waukesha, WI
Wisconsin & Upper Michigan Division
USA Central Territory