Capture the Flag

I was a young scout leader in Overland Park, Kansas and we went on monthly camp outs. Because we were in the city it would take an hour just to get out of town. This meant meeting at the church around six and loading up then heading out. We would arrive at camp around seven then it was time to set up the tents and other sleeping arrangements, getting a fire started and making the assignments for duties. Duties for scouts included; setting up tents, roping off the chopping area, getting the cooking area prepared and lighting the fire. In the suburbs of Kansas City lived a grandma of one of the scouts and mother to several adult members of our congregation. She had a large property complete with house and two large metal barns. One barn was full of old farm and work related implements and leftover gear from her husbands heating and cooling company. It had been filled to overflowing at least ten years before I saw it and no one ever attempted to clean it out. The other barn was sometimes used as a garage and had a few old tools and parts but the cement floor, about thirty feet by sixty feet, was cleared for us when we came to camp. The barns sat about one hundred feet apart on an angle with one slightly lower in elevation from the other. To the side of the full barn was a fire ring with logs and two by sixteen planks surrounding the fire ring used for benches. The scouts would set up the cooking tables behind these benches. On the cooking tables would be placed the five gallon water jug, a propane stove, all of the utensils, and all of the food. Usually the evening meal consisted of tin foil dinners. These were made by chopping up a bag of potatoes, carrots and onions and placing those on top of aluminum foil. A small ground meat patty was then placed on top of these vegetables and then covered with the foil. Once completely enclosed the foil wrapped food would go into the bottom of the fire where the coals would be hot enough but not to hot and then left for between thirty and fourty five minutes. With the fire going and food cooking it was time to play. Since it was usually dark by this time it was easy enough to set up the capture the flag game. The place we were staying in had a large fenced in field that was part of the property where we were camping. All of the scouts and several of the leaders would make their way up to the field and play. Capture the flag is a staple for all campers. Two teams are set and each have a t-shirt or rag that they use for their flag. The field is split into two halves one for each team. Each team places their flag in a hidden but visible location and each team selects a location for their jail. The game then begins with one flag protector staying near their teams flag to protect from the opposing team. This person needs to be fast because they chase and try to capture the opposing team. If a scout is in the opposing sides area, and is touched by the opposing team, he is escorted to the jail. They can not leave the jail area unless one of their teammates touches them or until the game ends. Each team is trying to get the other teams flag and bring it across to their side of the playing field. All of this being played in almost total darkness. The games can last minutes or hours depending on the area and how well each team works together. The game involves a lot of silence and then a lot of noise. Yelling is expected especially when one is in prison or when one finds out the location of the other teams flag. When the food is done everyone is ready to eat.