Game On!!!

By Rosie Paulik

Without screens, social media or mandatory social engagements, Ogichi Daa Kwe becomes a playground of games. You name it, we’re playing it. One night, we might be cheering on our pack members during Little Council, which is an evening of small, carnival-like competitions and athleticism has absolutely nothing to do with it. Another night, we’ve got Rotative Games on the agenda, where campers are asked to race while wearing a sleeping bag, throw a ball into a life raft, conquer an egg toss or find a piece of bubble gum buried in flour (no hands allowed). Capture the Flag is an activity we like to save until after our trips safely return home, when energy is high and Ogichi Daa Kwe runners show their true colors.

But beyond evening activities, games remain a constant part of our day. Even on a trip, when there might be one piece of fudge jumble left, the group will play horsengoggle. Unlike rock-paper-scissors, in horsengoggle, all campers who want the last bite of fudge jumble stand in a circle, and with a trip head’s help, simultaneously show between zero and five fingers after the group chants, “eins, zwei, drei, horsengoggle!” The trip head counts the total number of fingers shown, then counts that many people around the circle. The selected camper gets the last bite.

We aren’t opposed to rock-paper-scissors though, and do count on this trusted game to get activities started or settle an important debate about who jumps in for Polar Bear first. From Chickadee to CIT, Counselor to Elder, games remain a fundamental part of our culture and we hope the playful and fun-loving mindset stays with us well past the summer months.