Equipment required:
2 firework rockets
8 staves
16 lengths of sisal, about 1 metre each
2 plastic tubes for launching the fireworks
matches & tapers
It is best played in an open area, free from overhead obstructions.
The Kingdom of Zonga and the Republic of Walabaloo are at war with each other
as a result of a dispute over the price of smoked haddock. Each country has a
nuclear missile, which is cunningly disguised as a firework rocket. Neither
country has the means yet to launch their rocket. Both governments are aware
that if they are the first to fire their missile they would inflict devastation
on the other country and thereby win the war.
Unscrupulous Weapons Dealers plc have a depot in the vicinity and they have all
the staves, sisal etc. that each side would need to build their launch
facility. The weapons dealer is prepared to sell the equipment to both sides,
knowing perfectly well what each country intends to use it for. The launch
facility, when built, looks surprisingly like a Flagstaff.
The soldiers of each side have a "life", which consists of a piece of coloured
wool on the sleeve (or another type of thing as you wish) and they can only
participate in the game as long as they are wearing it. If they lose it, they
must return to their own base for another one. Each side has a differently
coloured "life". The lives are also currency to buy items of equipment from the
www.4theastcotescouts.org.uk Wide Games from various sources 08/04 Page 15
weapons dealer. The items of equipment are sold for one enemy life each. The
price may go up or down at the weapons dealer's discretion - after all he is
not called unscrupulous for nothing! Players may only use reasonable force to
take a life from an opposing team member.
The first team that builds the flagstaff launch facility correctly (using knots
and lashings that are tied properly) and then launches its rocket, wins the
game.
You would need at least 3 adults to run this game. One at the weapons dealer
base and one at each of the teams bases. Great care would have to be taken when
lighting the firework. Only allow a supervising adult to do it, with
the Scouts kept a safe distance away.
So what happened to the smoked haddock? Nobody really knows or cared too much
after the war. Most of it was blown up in the explosion and the rest was
contaminated by radioactive fall out.
Standard rules: Define playing area. No whacking, hitting, kicking, biting, gouging or
grabbing people’s soft bits. One whistle to start, three loud blasts to stop and return to
base. Only suitable people to light matches and fireworks.
