Flashlight Wars

Darkness descends earlier each evening as we approach the winter solstice. This calls for new approaches to outdoor fun, approaches that take advantage of the loss of daylight. Crack out the flashlights. Get new batteries. Choose sides. Have a flashlight war. I don´t want to bore you with too many details, so let me refer back to an earlier article on sock wars, a capture-the-flag type game played indoors. Flashlight wars use the exact same concepts with an outdoor setting, expanded playing area--way expanded--and the harmless weapon of light. We set up two home bases with flags. We work to capture each other´s flag before having the same done to us, and we shoot each other with light beams sending victims off to a warm area to recuperate for 3-5 minutes before rejoining the game. Flashlight wars is great fun in a park, on a farm, or even inside a large building like a barn. Last December my daughter had a huge flashlight war for a birthday party which was held at the city park with over twenty kids. The temperature was under 10 degrees F. and we used our warmed up van as the recupe station. The kids had a great time. So The only catch--honesty is desperately needed along with a spirit of sportsmanship. It is often difficult to tell who got "beamed" first. When in doubt, both shooters should take "5" and come back for more action later. Now, don´t let the darkness get you down. Get a new set of batteries and go to war---flashlight style.

About the Author:

Steve Graner is a Christian educator and familyman employed by the Minot, ND Public School District. A licensed laypastor, he is passionate about Christian writing and Christian drama. Along with family and friends, Steve has performed numerous self-written dramas and musicals for area church audiences.