This document describes the game "Scatterball" and provides instructions for playing. It is a variation on dodgeball where players hit with balls must sit down at their spot instead of being eliminated, and can still participate by throwing balls at other players. The game is proposed as a visual illustration of humanity's inability to free ourselves from oppression without God's help. Variations on the basic rules and ways to relate the game to biblical themes of sin and salvation are also outlined.
2. We are fallen people and only
God can raise us up. A game of
scatterball serves as a visual
illustration of the fact that we are
unable to break free from the
oppressions in our lives by
ourselves. Jesus must set us free.
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3. Materials
a couple soccer balls
or whiteboard
erasers
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4. Activity
Start by finding a ball which won’t
hurt you too much if you get hit in
the head with it. Let the youth
scatter about a large open area with
clearly defined boundaries. If you are
inside, use a room as your play area.
To start Scatterball, just throw the
ball against any old wall or roll it to
the center of the play area. The first
person to get the ball must plant a
foot and pivot around on that foot
(like in basketball) looking for
someone to hit.
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5. They may not walk/ run around
once they have possession of the
ball. (If successful in hitting their
target, that person sits down on the
ground in the spot they were hit.
The thrower, no longer in
possession of the ball is free to
move again. The person just hit is
not out of the game. As long as they
remain seated in their spot, they
may grab any ball that is rolling by
and hit someone who is still in the
game.
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6. If any person catches the ball on the
fly, the thrower of the ball is dead
and must sit down. If an attempt to
catch the ball is unsuccessful, but
the ball is touched, it is considered a
a kill so the person is out and must
sit at that spot. Dead players may
roll the ball to other alive or dead
players. Kids usually try to go for
their friends and, of course, the
leaders. The ground will eventually
be covered with sitting youth. In
essence this is dodgeball with a
twist, instead of going out of the
game, you can still eliminate others.
The winner is the last person
standing.
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7. Variation 1 Play the game with
partners. If either you or your partner
gets hit you are both down. Also, you
can pass the ball to your partner if
your partner has a better shot at
someone.
Variation 2 When the person that got
you out gets hit then you are able to
get back up again.
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8. Variation 3 Play with partners, but
holding hands. Partners are out if
they break their grip. Both partners
must be hit before they are frozen
and must sit down together. But
while there is still one of the pair
unfrozen, the frozen partner can
act as a shield, deflecting the ball.
Variation 4 If you are sitting and
manage to throw the ball and
knock someone else out of the
game you may get up again.
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9. Take it to the Next Level
• God lifts us up - When everyone
is sitting down except one. Go
and help all the kids up. Talk
about how life and people knock
us down but God comes around
and helps us back up! Sometimes
when it seems like life is knocking
us down, God is there to pick us
up.
• Fallen Nature - Once we have
fallen due to mistakes, sin,
circumstances in life, only God
can pick us back up. In our own
efforts, we are unable to break
free from the oppressions in our
lives. Jesus must set us free. John
8:31-36
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10. Bible Studies based on the book of Jonah
Only. This youth camp curriculum was
designed to teach the basic truths
of obedience in addition to evangelism in the
context of a Biblical character. The advantage
of going through a book and looking at one
man's story is that we see not only the
teaching but the example. It becomes much
more real!
Camp Curriculum - Whale of a Tale
-> Tell me about “Whale of a Tale”
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11. Creative Youth Ideas
Camp Bible Study Series
“Who Do You Say that I AM?”
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-> Tell me about “Who Do You Say that I AM?”
Jesus asked the disciples, "Who do others
say that I am?" It was easy to answer
because it required no conviction, no
commitment, and no risk. But then he
follows that question with another, "Who
do YOU say that I am?"
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12. Live the Fruitful, Abundant Life
Jesus Promised. Great for youth camps or
weekly Youth Bible Study. There are 7
Primary Bible study Sessions in the series.
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-> Tell me about “Fruit Of the Spirit”
Creative Youth Ideas
Youth Camp Bible Study Series
“Fruit Of the Spirit”
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13. "The Great Adventure" is western
themed Bible study series loosely based
around the song of the same name by
Steven Curtis Chapman. It was initially
written for a large Texas Church to use for
their Summer Youth Camp but has since
then proven popular around the world.
Camp Curriculum - The Great Adventure
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-> Tell me about “The Great Adventure”
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