survive and thrive. Spread the golf balls (minus the ten additional golf balls) across the playing area, dropping some inside and some outside the circles. When the game begins, players will collect as much food as they can. When players are inside their territory, then they are safe. If they are tagged outside their territory, then they give up the food they were carrying to the player that tagged them. If two players tag each other at the same time, then they both drop their food. Once food has been gathered and placed in a pile in their territory, it cannot be stolen. When all the food has been gathered, discuss who gathered the most food. What was that player’s strategy? Did the shape of the territory make a difference (more circular vs. oval)? Was there any difference between those whose territories were closer or farther apart? Play the game a few more times. Some variations to the game could include: have each player overlap their territory with at least one other play. How do the strategies for collecting food change as the players gain experience? announce that the golf course superintendent has planted native wildflowers on the golf course, so there is more food available. Add ten more golf balls to the game. Discuss how improving wildlife habitat makes it easier for wildlife to find what they need. spread the golf balls around and then allow the players to put down their strings, with the player that had collected the most food during the last round choosing first. Why would this happen in nature? (An animal that collects more food is stronger and can defend the best territory.) On the golf course, many animals call this their home. What could the players do to improve wildlife habitat on the course? (Note: it would be a good idea to talk to the golf course superintendent prior to this activity to get ideas for some habitat improvement projects that the players could accomplish.)
www.thefirsttee.org
Page 37