From: stolz@fnusgd.fnal.gov
Subject: Pack Activity: Space Training Center
Organization: P.S.C.
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1992 18:32:32 GMT

 *** As usual, I did these on my MAC - I've reformatted them as plain text so
 *** they can be posted.  Anyone is welcome to use these - my only request is 
 *** that you let me know, and give me some feedback (both good and bad) as to
 *** how things went.    - Mike Stolz (stolz@fnusgd.fnal.gov)
----------------------------------- cut here ----------------------------------

SPACE GAMES					den name _______________

SPACE ARCHERY  -  In space, everything floats.  As a construction mechanic, the
only way to keep your space station parts from floating away is to rope them
together.  Your problem is that YOU are anchored to the main space station,
while the new parts are slowly drifting away.  So how do you get a rope on
those parts?  Why with your trusty bow and arrow.  Each new part comes with its
own target.  Each mechanic gets 10 arrows.  Hit the target with the arrow that
has a string attached, and double your total points. 

ROBOT ARM - You're the operator of the space shuttle's robot arm.  The arm will
do everything you tell it, but it can't see or think for itself.  Your job,
pick up the three space disks and return them to your position.  Use voice
commands like 'forward, left, right, and down' to direct the robot arm.  Keep
the tether rope tight to prevent the robot arm from overshooting the targets. 
This is a timed event. 

SPACE CONSTRUCTION - Your team of construction mechanics are on the moon.  You
need to build the tallest radio tower you can, using the standard space-blocks.
The structure must be free-standing and self-supporting.  DO NOT DAMAGE THE
BUILDING MATERIALS while constructing your tower! 

SPACE EXPLORATION - Space explorers need to be highly trained observers.  In
this training exercise, you need to scour the marked-off section of rough
terrain, and discover the interesting samples.  There will be bonus points for
discovering samples whose color is different from your assigned color. 

SHUTTLE FLIGHT-CHECK - All shuttle crews need to check out their craft before
take-off. Every crew has memorized the list of instructions.  Lets see how good
your crew is at remembering instructions.  You will get two minutes to study
and discuss the list of instructions and their order.  Then, without looking,
your team must write them down in the correct order.  If you're quick, you will
have time to play this one twice. 

player name                            arch   arm  const  explo  check
------------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________|_____|_____|______|______|______|
______________________________________|_____|_____|
______________________________________|_____|_____|______|______|______|
______________________________________|_____|_____| (den scores here)
______________________________________|_____|_____|
______________________________________|_____|_____|  circle the 1 best den
______________________________________|_____|_____|  score for each game
______________________________________|_____|_____|_____________________
put the single best den score here -> |     |     |      |      |      |

<FF>
GAME LEADER INSTRUCTIONS

Bring spray paint (white) to draw lines on the grass.  Also packing tape and
duct tape.  If games are held indoors, use masking tape for your lines.

Make sure all game leaders understand that the rules may need to be modified,
but if they are, ALL GROUPS must have the same chances.  The most important
thing is to make sure that all rules are applied consistently for every group
participating.  All games were designed to be played outdoors, but most could
easily be done indoors if the activity room was large. 

At the end of the competition, all score sheets will be collected from Den
leaders. Compare the single 'best' score for each game and den.  Award 1st
thru 5th place (we have 5 dens) in each event.  The den with the LOWEST total
score for the 5 events will get 1st place. 


SPACE ARCHERY
GAME PARTS - 3 targets with stands, 30+ arrows, 3 bows, ball of string, 3
stakes. 
    Set up targets, with 3 shooting stations about 20 feet (7 meters) away. Put
10 arrows at each station.  Measure 30 feet (10 meters) of string for each
station. Tie one end of string to a stake at the station, and tie/tape the
other end to one of the arrows.  This should be the last arrow shot by each
Cub, and can double their target score.  Score target rings at 1 (target) ,2,
3, 5 (bulls eye on our targets). 

***Be very alert to safety.  Make sure ALL ARCHERS understand that arrows are
   not to be nocked while anyone is 'even close' to the shooting range area! 


ROBOT ARM
GAME PARTS - Long rope, 3 Frisbees, blindfold, 2 paper grocery bags.
    Draw a ring for the 'operator' to stand in.  Paint 3 spots at different
points outside the ring, ranging from 15 to 30 feet (5 to 10 meters).  The
spots mark the pick-up spots for the 3 Frisbees.  Tie rope around waist of the
cub acting as 'robot hand' (use a bowline!). Blindfold the 'hand', then place
grocery bag over his head - the 'hand' should be unable to see.  The operator
now steps into the ring, and takes hold of the rope.  At "GO", the 'hand' walks
out to get the Frisbees.  The operator lets out the rope until the 'hand' is
out far enough, and uses voice commands (left, right, down, out) to direct the
'hand' to each frisbee.  Make sure the operator knows that he should keep
tension on the rope - this is one of his main methods of guidance and control. 
After the 'hand' has all 3 frisbees, the operator has to reel him back into the
operator's circle.  MAKE SURE THE 'HAND' IS UNABLE TO SEE!  This is a timed
event - the boys may run thru this as often as they want in the allotted time. 
Keep the best time. 


SPACE CONSTRUCTION
GAME PARTS - 16 cardboard boxes all the same size, 6 large coffee cans, 3 thin
strips of plywood, 2 poles with nails thru the ends, several smaller dowels,
tape measure. 
  The object is to build as tall a tower as possible with the material
supplied.  The tower must be free-standing and self-supporting, and stay up for
at least 1 minute.  DO NOT LET THE CREW DAMAGE OR MODIFY THE SUPPLIED
MATERIALS!  Measure the tower to the nearest inch.  The crew can try several
different configurations. 

***WARNING!  Wind and uneven terrain can dramatically affect this game.  Try to
locate it in a sheltered area with fairly even ground.  It could also be done
inside if the room has a tall ceiling. 


SPACE EXPLORATION
GAMES PARTS - individually wrapped candy in different colors, colored tape or
marker cones to mark off the search area. 
   Game leader will hide 10 candies of the same color in search area, plus 1 of
a different color.  Cubs need to search the area to find all 'samples'.  After
they are turned in and counted, they may each have 1 to keep.  The colored
candy counts as 3 points, all others are 1 point.  Be alert to 'missed' candies
from previous groups. 


SHUTTLE FLIGHT-CHECK
GAME PARTS - 20 cards with different flight-check instructions, table, large
cloth. 
   Lay out 2 cards (in random order) for every Cub in the den.  The Cubs will
have 2 minutes to study, discuss, and memorize the cards.  Then cover cards
with cloth.  They now have 5 minutes to write down all the flight-check
instructions in order.  Award 1 point for every instruction in the correct
position relative to the previous and next instruction.  Award 2 points for
every instruction that is written EXACTLY correct - give 1 point if the
instruction is mostly correct.  There should be time to play this game twice. 
This is a version of 'Kim's Game'.

*** My cards were all very short phases, including things like 'CHECK FUEL 
GUAGE', 'CHECK OXYGEN GUAGE', 'INSPECT SHUTTLE BAY', 'TEST SHUTTLE BAY LIGHTS',
'EXAMINE AIRLOCK' and so on.  I used 3" x 5" index cards and a black magic 
marker to make them.

***WARNING!  This is another game that can be affected by wind.  Using a large
thick cloth, and taping one edge of it to the table can create an effective
windbreak that the Cubs can 'peek under' during their 2 minutes of observation.