Eagle Eye

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Requirements

• Age 5+
• Players 8-16
• Time 5-10 min rounds
• Location Forest
• Energy Medium (walking, stalking)
• Materials NONE (though you'll need a boundary for the Eagle's Nest; a rope works well, though a line drawn in the dirt could suffice).
• Lead by Pathfinder
• Guides 1-2

Story

Eagle Eye is a fun variation of hide-and-seek. It teaches many lessons: how to be still and silent, how to move quickly and quietly, how to be comfortable getting dirty and deeply immersed in the woods.

Action Call

As an Eagle, can you spot the Hiders by Paying Attention? As a Hider, can you use camouflage, cover, and dead space so you can see the Eagle without the Eagle seeing you?

Game

Safety

Because Eagle Eye involves children hiding independently in the forest, before the game begins 1) discuss and role model counter tracking and pathfinding to minimize the impact to the local flora, and 2) scout the game area thoroughly, looking up and down, listening and smelling for hazards. Be aware of wasps nests, dead trees and overhead branches, ground nests, dangerous or poisonous plants, trash, and more.

Mission

A Pathfinder defines an "eagle's nest," a small circle about 3 feet in diameter, using sticks, rocks, pine cones, backpacks – anything that creates a clear visual boundary of the nest's edge.

An Eagle is chosen and stands inside the nest. The Eagle closes/covers their eyes and starts counting down from 30. During the countdown, everyone else (the "Hiders") moves away from the nest and hides in the forest. IMPORTANT: Hiders must be able to see the Eagle with at least one eye at all times.

When the countdown is finished, the Eagle opens their eyes and announces "the Eagle is hunting!" The Eagle then looks for Hiders. The Eagle can move around INSIDE the nest to get different viewpoints, but they may not step outside the nest boundary. When the Eagle spots a Hider, they say the Hider's name (if they know it) or call out something distinctive that they see ("I see someone in a blue T-shirt behind a maple tree"). Encourage that hiders act with honor and integrity! Hiders that are spotted by the Eagle come to the nest where they sit quietly for the rest of the game. They are NOT allowed to help the Eagle find other Hiders in any way.

After two or three minutes, the Eagle announces "the Eagle is sleeping," closes their eyes again, and counts down from 20. The Hiders must move at least 5 steps closer to the nest. When the countdown is finished, the Eagle hunts again.

After one or two minutes, if any Hiders remain, the Eagle closes their eyes and counts down from 10. Hiders move closer to the nest again, and the Eagle hunts one last time.

After a minute or two, the Eagle ends the game by calling "Hiders, show yourselves!" Any remaining Hiders reveal themselves. The closest Hider to the nest becomes the Eagle for the next round.

Sample game debrief questions:

• What colors blend in well in this landscape?
• What makes for a good hiding spot? Where are good hiding spots?
• Can you name an animal that has to hide to stay alive?
• What animals do you think live and hide around here?
• What might happen to a mouse, rabbit or small bird that makes a lot of noise and does not hide?

Modify

Watch the numbers. In an effort to stop Hiders from cheating (hiding where they can’t see the Eagle with at least one eye at all times), consider having the Eagle hold a number of fingers up above their head for a few seconds once per round. When the game is concluded, the winning Hider must be able to recite all the numbers that were displayed (so it’s a test of memory, too!)

Owl Eye. Owl eye follows many of the same rules but has a few key changes. For a site, choose a location that has a trail running through the middle of the playing area.

• Round 1 is played exactly like Eagle Eye. The Eagle should display a number of fingers at some point during the round. When the eagle can no longer find any Hiders, the Eagle "sleeps" as they count down from 30. The Hiders can use this time to "move or improve" their hiding spot.

• Round 2. The eagle may now walk along the trail (but must stay on the trail). As they walk they should display a number of fingers. Hiders do not have to be able to see the Eagle at ALL times, but must at some point be able to see the number of fingers. When the eagle can no longer find any Hiders, the Eagle "sleeps" again as they count down from 30. The Hiders can use this time to "move or improve" their hiding spot.
• Round 3. The eagle may now walk anywhere in the playing area. If a Hider can reach out and touch the Eagle's leg (or hit the eagle with a pinecone if you prefer) before the eagle can point at them, the Hider wins.