source: www.youthwork-practice.com | 2000 Games, Devotions, Themes, Ideas and more for Youth Work
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Terrain game

Christian pursuit in old Rome

An entry from Gregor I. who developed this game together with a team of leaders for an altar boy trip and also had great success in carrying out. Many thanks to the sender. The idea is not totally new because there is a similar version of the game in this collection however not in this context.

Story

The holy house of the early Christians (a cave or grotto) has been discovered by the Romans and robbed. The problem is that they want to celebrate a holy mass on that evening. They must now try to find new mass utensils (e.g. hymn books, mass wine). Due to the fact that Christians were not allowed to public, they must find the items while remaining undiscovered.

Aim

Several communities (approx. 6) try to purchase as many (and as many different) mass utensils as possible by trading. Different objects are awarded with different points at the end.

Length of game

Approx. 2 hours.

Playing area

1000-1500m² sized area with different terrains (thorny, hilly)

Number of players

You will need 40-50 children (9-16 years) and at least 10 leaders (traders + jobs). More group leaders might be needed depending on the number of players.

Communities

6 different communities try to purchase different objects needed for the holy mass from the free traders without being discovered by the Roman patrols; start capital 150 coins.
The communities always act as a group.
If the groups are caught they receive a time penalty or try bribing the patrols to get away with it.
Apart from by trading, money can also be made with a workplace.

Free traders

6-8 different traders move freely around the area
They are allowed to trade all items with all group (buying and selling)
The goods have guide prices for the traders which can also be changed if the groups are creative enough
The traders are fully free to do what they choose whether they want to trade or not and barter etc. They therefore have a strong influence on the game.
The dealers receive a choice of goods at the beginning (5-6 different items)

Roman patrols

At least 2 (to 4)
They can catch the Christians trading
They give the group time penalties (approx. 3 min) but can also be bribed.

The free traders and the Roma patrols can influence the game with their prices so that one group does not become too strong. The group’s special creativity can have a positive effect on the price.

Workplaces

There are 3 fixed workplaces which are well spread out e.g. the top and bottom of the playing area which must always be visited in turn.
The groups can earn money with little tasks (min 50, max 75 coins).
- Task in workplace 1:
  2 x 10 quiz questions against the clock (approx. 5 min.) If 5 or less questions are answered correctly – 5 coins are earned. A further 5 coins are earned for each extra question
- Task in workplace 2:
  „Ball queue“ - 2 minutes with 8 players. The ball is passed on from player to player between the legs then the last player runs to the front with the ball and starts again. There are 50 coins earned from 10 players to less: each extra player earns 5 coins (max. 25).
- Task in workplace 3:
  Water transport with egg cups over a certain distance and time. The payment is awarded according to the amount (distance – amount – relation must be checked beforehand).

Material (with approx amounts and prices)

Type of goods	Price	Points
100 Tea lights	2,-	1
15 Bibles	20,-	7
40 Hymnbooks	5,-	3
10 Towels (for the altar)	10,-	6
15 Packs for incense	30,-	6
6 Altar boy robes	40,-	8
20 Last supper goblet (plastic beaker)	20,-	5
60-80 Wafer (bread)	3,-	2
15-20 Bottles of wine	7,-	4
15-20 Bottles of water	3,-	4

Points calculation

The amount of goods multiplied by the points
Add the single points
Multiply the total points score with the number of different goods

Further material (for the workplaces, traders and groups)

2 buckets, one with water
Measuring beaker
2x Stopwatches
Ball etc.
Quiz sheets with resting board and pens
Some large rucksacks/bags for the goods

The beginning and end of the game

The traders spread out before the game begins in the marked out playing area and the leaders responsible for the workplaces take their places. After this the communities are allowed to enter the area to find the traders and buy their goods. The communities must make sure that they are caught by the Roman patrols when trading. After an agreed amount of time the game is stopped and the judging takes place.