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

Chestnuts – an outdoor terrain game for autumn

This game was sent in by Rainer Brunck from the chestnut filled south Pfalz in Germany.
The group is split into two teams. Every player receives a life band which is tied to their arm. No one is allowed to play without a band. The aim of the game is to collect as many gold shaving (wood chips) in Bucket as possible. This can happen is different ways:

You can collect 20 chestnuts and exchange them for a cup of gold shavings from a member of staff in the depot. Then you collect again. (For people who like collecting...)
You are quicker than your opponent; you tag them and receive their life band. Once you have three life bands you can swap them for a cup of gold shavings from a member of staff at the depot. Then you can go on the hunt again... (For quick people).

Warning: Anyone who loses their life band must collect 5 chestnuts and exchange them for a new life band from a member of staff at the depot.
If there are too few chestnuts around and you desperately need a new life band, you can also swap a cup of gold shavings for 2 life bands. You must simply take a cup of shavings from your group’s bucket.

The formula once again:

20 chestnuts = 1 cup of gold shavings
5 chestnuts = 1 life band
3 life bands = 1 cup of gold shavings
1 cup of gold shavings = 2 life bands
Even the littler ones have a good chance of winning this game because they can stick to collecting.
There is also a safe zone for each team where they cannot be tagged.
You can also use acorns or beechnuts instead of chestnuts.

Author: Rainer Brunck, Community Deacon