Wild Man in the Woods

The title of this post is Wild Man in the Woods but it probably should be titled 'The Greatest Camp Game Ever Invented.'

Well, really the most appropriate title for it would be 'How To Scare the Business Out of Campers.'

When I was a kid I used to go to Pine Hill Day Camp. I stinking loved that camp. It was predominantly a summer day camp but they did hold the occasional overnight mini camp in the fall. This was where I was first introduced to the game 'Wild Man in the Woods.'

Here is how it went down:

We were led into the dining hall and told we were going to listen to the radio. They turned the radio on...

Now, I was sitting right beside the radio so I saw that it wasn't a station they were playing but a tape.

...and I heard the announcer (actually the head counselor) saying:

"This is a special report! There has been a prison break and there are several wild men loose in the woods! The safest place to be is at the Council Circle! Arm yourselves with gold coins as that distracts the wild men!"

They gave each of us three gold coins and set us loose. The object was to reach the Council Circle without getting caught. In order to get to the Council Circle we had to go through the woods. It was terrifying! The Wild Men (counselors) had painted their faces and bodies and were wearing torn clothes. When they caught you they would pick you up and shake you until you surrendered your coin! We had to figure out whether to team up with other kids or go solo. And we had to decide which path through the woods was the best to take.

At Cousin's Camp we play it a little differently - mainly because I'm too lazy to procure the necessary supplies to play it better. 

It's simple:

Step One: Hide

Step Two: Scare children as they come through the woods.

Step Three: Do not let them reach cabin without being tagged.

"We're a coming for ya boys...."

I mean...

I always have these big plans to bring face paint and water balloons and the like but usually it's just plain old us. 

I shall not mention the year we used silly string. We are still picking pieces of it up five years later. The aunts were not happy.

"Don't even think about trying to get past me..."

Bottom line: If you are looking for a great camp game, Wild Man should be first on your list. 

Be warned though...

Smile while you can, boys...

It can freak the kids out. 

This guy on the left?

Chose not to play. Seriously, it's too much for some of the littles.

The guy in the middle is fierce as a wild man. Do not cross him.

And this guy?

Two years ago he got so scared that he hid behind the old Cotton House 'til someone found him. He was pitiful. 

It can also be a wee bit dangerous.

This guy tore his ACL last year just steps away from victory. He was totally committed to the win. Unfortunately his body was not. 

Steps away from victory is not victory, better luck next time Ace...

What makes this game so great is that it requires zero supplies. All you need are a few people to act as wild men and a ready supply of campers. The weird thing is when I google Wild Man in the Woods Camp Game nothing comes up. Hmmm...maybe it's original to Pine Hill. 

So...What are you waiting for? Get to getting. 

Go play Wild Man!