Wolves & Elk

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Other Names:

Requirements

• Age 7+
• Players 4-32
• Time 3-5 min rounds
• Location Small clear area
• Energy Medium (walking/stalking)
• Materials Game boundary
• Lead by Pathfinder
• Guide 1

Story

Elk are an iconic species in the Pacific Northwest. They are adaptable herbivores that eat a large variety of plants, and they can exist in many habitats from deep forest to arid, near-desert conditions. Male elk (known as bulls) commonly grow to 700 pounds, and female elk (cows) to 500 pounds. Adult elk are rarely hunted by predators such as wolves, but wolves will commonly prey on young elk (known as calves). Elk often live in herds numbering anywhere from 10 to 400 individuals, which helps to protect them from predators. When hunting elk, wolves try to separate individuals away from the herd. Because young elk are more vulnerable to predation, it's important that they stay close to the adults! In this game, everyone pretends to be an elk calf that is trying to stay safe from hungry wolves.

Action Call

Do you know how important mother mammals are to their young? Understand this by avoiding the wolves.

Game

Safety

• Scout playing area for hazards: tripping objects, stinging insects, trash, and much more.
• Players should avoid collisions by Paying Attention to everyone, not just their Wolf and Mother Elk.
• This a WALKING, not running, game.

Mission

Have everyone circle up. Establish a circular game boundary that everyone must remain inside. Give a brief description of elk and wolves, then explain the game rules:

• In this game, everyone should imagine that they are a small, cute elk calf.
• Now look across the circle at someone who is NOT looking at you. Imagine that person is your mother elk.
• Now look at someone ELSE who is NOT looking at you. That person is a wolf. They really want to eat you.
• Your mother elk can protect you from your wolf, but only if you keep your mother elk BETWEEN you and your wolf.
• So, when I say "go", walk (don't run) wherever you need to within the game boundary to keep your mother elk between you and your wolf.

When you say "go," the result will be constant movement and silly chaos. Let it go on for a bit, then move onto your next activity or circle up and play one more round.

Modify

1/2 speed Have everyone play at 1/2 or 1/4 speed of normal movement.

Shift Use animal forms by walking on all fours.

Other names Predator/Guardian