Bat & Moths

Requirements

• Age 7+
• Players 6-12
• Time 5-10 min rounds
• Location Any clear area
• Lead by Whisker
• Guide 1

Story

Contrary popular belief, most bats are NOT blind. They can actually have very good eyesight. They use sight and echolocation to find and capture prey. Humans can over rely on sight. During this game, we're going to train our hearing to the level of a bat by using our Tracker Band as a blindfold.

Action Call

Can you hone your sense of hearing so that you can echolocate? Can your sense of touch feel where the wind is and isn't, finding fellow Trackers that block it? Can you learn to move safely and methodically in pitch dark, finding your way in any circumstance.

Game

Safety

• Watch for Trackers tripping on obstacles. Scout the playing area, making sure it is clear of hazards (brambles, roots, rocks).
• Remind the Bat to NOT flail their arms (don't hit people). Instead, move in a smooth, slow swimming motion. Keep hands low to not poke eyes.
• Moths should not climb onto other moths.

Mission

Create a game boundary by defining a circle about two adult humans wide. Have everyone stand inside the circle. One person is the bat, and everyone else is a moth the bat will hunt. Everyone starts off inside the circle. The bat is blindfolded (use the Trackers's Band). When the Cloak says "hunt", the bat moves around the circle, trying to tag moths. The bat should be safe in their movements, moving smoothly and slowly while keeping hands low. If the bat gets close to the boundary, the Cloak whispers "Edge" to keep the bat inside the circle.

Moths move around inside the circle to avoid the bat. Crouching, crawling, and lying down. If the bat touches a moth, or if a moth steps outside of the circle, they are out (eaten) and leave the circle. Moths outside the circle help whisper "Edge". The round ends when the bat tags all the moths. The last moth tagged can be the next bat, or select from those who volunteer.

Modify

Echo The bat can use "echolocation" three times during the round. The bat say "pewww" and all the moths still in the circle have to quietly say "pewww".

Sound Snaps To make the game more challenging for the moths, consider placing extra small sticks, dry leaves, or other obstacles that make noise when stepped on inside the circle.