Equipment: None

Method: A nocturnal hunt sometimes shows people as they aren't. In an outdoor setting, split the troop in half. One team will be Hiders, the other Seekers. The Hiders go outside to a well-known or an established trail, not far from the main cabin or building, but not with dense cover. No street lamps or building lights should be visible.

Tell the Hiders that motionless people in the dark may take on other forms that appear to be rocks, stumps, or logs. Indicate that, as Hiders, they should cover all parts of their body that stand out (white skin or clothing), and camouflage their body to blend with surroundings. They then begin hiding along the trail, following these rules and guidelines:

€ Hide people individually unless there is reluctance to stay alone; if there is, allow a pair to hide together.

€ A Hider must be in a partially exposed position. Completely concealing a person behind something is not allowed. The Hider should try to blend in with the natural surroundings; a rock, tree, stump, etc. A Hider must be no more than 20 feet away from the trail.

The Seekers wait patiently in the building until the leader of the Hiders returns and announces that all is ready. Seekers should follow these guidelines:

€ The object of the game is to find as many Hiders as possible.

€ Point scores are kept for each team.

€ The Seekers are taken to the trailhead and told that from here on, they can expect to find hidden people on each side of the trail.

€ The Seekers must stay on the trail.

€ When someone thinks he has spotted a Hider, he calls others to have a look. If the consensus is that there is actually someone there, the attending instructor shines his flashlight directly at the spot indicated by the Seekers. If a Hider is revealed, the Seekers get a point. If no one is there, the Hiders get a point.

€ If all of the Seekers pass a Hider on the trail, the instructor calls the group back and points out the Hider with a flashlight. The Hiders then get a point, and that particular Hider may join the group and silently cheer on his group.

This procedure continues until the last Hider has been found or is revealed. Points are tallied. The teams then reverse roles and the game is played again.

The reason the Seekers remain indoors until the Hiders are set is to show how night vision helps make walking in the dark a little safer. The exercise is a natural lead-in to a discussion about how nocturnal animals can see in reduced light. Mention bats, owls, and cats.

Do not allow any flashlights to be carried, except by the leader.

Variation: The trail could be laid out using trail signs.

Last Revised 11/27/01