Cy's Outdoor Games Blog

You might be thinking I’m crazy to be writing about backyard games in Alaska. You would be right if that were the case.  Actually this post has nothing to do with backyard, or any other kind  of games.  It is however, a recommendation.  There are many opinions about Sarah Palin who comes from Alaska so this is a suggestion to give you some background – the state not the person. For the past several weeks ( the paper back is a 1.073 page, 2 inch thick book) I’ve been reading James A Michener’s book Alaska. 

It is a novel by a master story teller who starts in prehistoric times with characters hunting Mastodon while the earth was creating the land mass we now know as Alaska.  There is a great mix of historical events and people as well as believable fiction. 

 Some of his characters brave the difficulties of the Gold Rush and move on to aid in the building of the Alcan highway as a defense measure when Japan invaded.  Statehood was fought by merchants in Seattle who wanted to keep control but Congress finally approved statehood with a complicated set of regulations involving  the wealth produced by the oil industry and land distribution  to avoid the Reservation system they forced upon the American Indians in the Lower 48. 

The description of the kinds of people that make up the historical population and the way those characteristics have carried down give a vivid picture of  how Sarah Palin came to have the principles she has which have gained both prase and contempt.  The book is well worth reading.

Cathy M. Rosenthal has some interesting ideas for having fun with your dog as well as teaching obedience – tricks.

Backyard versions of six popular canine games.You throw the ball over and over again, and your dog happily retrieves it. But wouldn’t it be more fun to play with your dog in ways that brings out his special talents? Borrowing a few ideas from canine sports, use these tips to make backyard playtime more fun. Jumping. Make your own agility or flyball hurdle by placing a broom or PVC pipe across two plastic buckets. Hold a treat on one side, and encourage your dog to jump over. Jump, sit, stay. Create an agility pause table by placing a bench, ottoman, or piece of carpeted plywood on four cement blocks. Teach your dog to jump onto the low table, then sit or lie down for five seconds, then jump off. Ta-da! Backyard tunneling. Using a nylon pipe tunnel, coax your dog inside it with food. Run alongside the tunnel or sit at the other end to persuade him through. Reward your dog with toys or food at the end. Enthusiastic fetching. Flyball dogs are rapid fetchers. To build your dog’s excitement, throw the ball, hold him back for 10 seconds, and then let him sprint after it. Hide and seek. Teach tracking skills by showing your dog a toy and hiding it in an easy to find location. Once he gets the hang of the game, ask friends to walk away from your dog to a hiding place in the yard. Ready or not, here he comes. As your dog’s skills improve, have your dog sit with his back turned while everyone else hides. Simon says. In rally obedience, you instruct your dog to perform skills printed on directional signs. Make your own obedience signs, such as “right turn,” and place them around the yard to create a mini-course for you and your dog.

Ever wonder what those crazy were doing throwing that big ball at the little one.  They were playing Bocce.  (Horseshoes anywhere) Here is how the game is played

Playing The Italian Game of Bocce

Bocce is played with four or eight large balls and one smaller target or object ball called the pallino or jack.  There are 2 0r 4 balls to a side or team, and they are made in two colors to distinguish the balls of one team from the balls or the opposing team.  The pallino is thrown out by a member of the team having won the coin toss to start the game.  The same player throwing the pallino must deliver the first bocce ball.  The opposing team will then deliver their bocce balls until the point is taken or they have exhausted their 4 balls.  This “nearest ball” rule governs the sequence of the thrown balls.   The side whose bocce is the closest to the pallino is called the “in” ball and the opposing side the “out” ball.  Whenever a team gets “in” it steps aside and allows the “out” team  to bowl.  Complete rules are included with each set that you might purchase.

You will find many outdoor games at http://www.cysbackyardsports.com

For several months I have been posting information on this blog to help you find new outdoor games for playing at home or nearby parks to encourage having fun in these days that could be somewhat depressing while saving money and getting the exercise that we all need.  From some of the comments that I reprinted in my last blog some of you are finding my efforts worth while.  So….”who are you, anyway?  You can Google Chauncey Isenhour and get loads of info but allow me to summarize:  I was born in Anderson, IN (date unnecessary) where I went to high school.  My BA was earned at DePauw University, Greencastle, IN where I met Marilyn Morr whom I married on the last day of finals our Senior year.  The Draft caught up with me my first week of graduate school so I spent the next two years in the Army.  Most of that time was in Korea where I was Hq.& Hq. Mail Clerk and came home as a Sgt.  My marriage lasted for 55 years until Marilyn was killed in a traffic accident back in 2007.  We had been Full-time RVrs for 15 of those wonderful years. Since that time I have been working at a Thousand Trails RV Resort near Conroe, TX as a Park Ranger and started my Internet business to augment and possibly replace the income from the park.  If you are reading my blog you have my photo and contact information: support@cysbackyardsports.com

Have Fun

Cy

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Playing the same types of games in an outdoor swingset will be boring for the kids. Adding more activities into the usual ones they enjoy will be a great idea. Some of the games they may play are traditional – meaning you may have played the same games when you were still kids. Other games may be modern that you no longer have ideas on. Just watch them play around their outdoor swingset and you will notice that your kids will have a fun time.

While you are always after your kid’s safety in their outdoor swingset, you should allow them to explore activities that you once enjoyed during your childhood. You have been a kid once and you know how it feels when your parents restricted you from doing “this” and from doing “that”. Maybe you may want the idea of giving more freedom to your kids while they think of other activities aside from playing on their outdoor swingset.

Outdoor games that can be played even if the outdoor swingset is present
The outdoor swingset may mark the start of each playtime for your children. It may also be utilized while they opt to rest from their outdoor games. Therefore, you may give your kids the idea to engage in the following activities:

1. Swing the Statue. This game is not just ideal for kids. Adults may also participate in the activity. While you are gathered around the outdoor swingset, you may play the game. The person who plays “it” takes charge of swinging his co-players. The “it” has the choice of who to swing. Once he swings his co-player, the latter should remain in a frozen position. Whoever moves from that position will be the next “it” for the game.

2. Kickball. With the remaining portion of your playground where you placed your outdoor swingset, your school children may play this very popular American game. This is like football or soccer where your kids will hit the ball through their feet. A playground ball of at least eight to 10-inch diameter is a wise investment for this outdoor activity. While kicking is typical to football, the game follows the rules of baseball where kids run in four bases.

3. Capture the Flag. Another fun activity that has been used for many years now is Capture the Flag. This game is popular to camping activities. You may do the same thing around your outdoor swingset area too. You need flags and flagpoles. If you do not have these items, you may just improvise one for the game. There are two teams with their respective territories. Basically, the team that takes more flags than others on guarded territory will win the game.

These are just a few fun games that your kids may enjoy even if the outdoor swingset is around. They may spend some time in these activities and be tired afterwards. After playing these more physical activities, they may turn over to their outdoor swingset for more relaxation. Placing these two wonderful outdoor events together is like hitting two birds with a single stone.

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