Star Base

Name and Purpose

Star Base builds fast decision-making, team strategy, and co-ordination under pressure.
Players practise throwing, catching, and working together to protect and rescue teammates.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 10-40 players | 15-25 minutes | Large open outdoor space, minimum 20m x 30m

Materials

Quick-Run Card

Divide space in half with a rope. Each side has one base (poly-spot), one Jedi (with noodle), and equal foam balls.
Throw balls across the line to freeze opposing players.
Catching a thrown ball freezes the thrower instead.
The Jedi hops on one foot to reach frozen teammates and taps them free with the noodle.
If the Jedi is hit while off the base, they are frozen until the round resets.

Setup and Boundaries

Lay the rope or chalk line across the centre of the field.
Place one poly-spot base 2m from the back wall or boundary on each side.
Signal: 1 short whistle = pause; 2 whistles = stop and gather.
Check the field for uneven ground before play.
Note: this activity involves thrown foam balls. Staff will know which campers need accommodations.

How to Play

Split into two equal teams. Each team chooses a Jedi. All other players are free runners.
At the signal, players gather foam balls from their side and begin throwing them across the centre line at the opposing team.
A player hit by a foam ball is frozen. They stand still with arms out until freed.
A player who catches a thrown ball without it bouncing freezes the thrower instead.
The Jedi stays on the base to remain safe. To free a frozen teammate, the Jedi hops on one foot to that player and taps them with the noodle.
If the Jedi is hit by a foam ball while off the base, the Jedi is frozen until the round ends or staff calls a reset.
A round ends after 10 minutes, or when all of one team’s players are frozen.
Rotate the Jedi role between rounds so everyone gets a turn.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Play as a free runner, throwing and catching.
S (Support): Take the Jedi role and focus on strategy and rescue.
Q (Quiet): Play as a ball collector near your team’s back boundary, feeding balls to throwers.
O (Observer): Track the score, count frozen players, or manage the reset whistle.

Inclusion Adaptations

Players who prefer not to throw can be designated catchers or ball retrievers and still contribute to scoring.
The Jedi hop-on-one-foot rule can be adapted: players who need it can walk quickly or use a different movement (sideways shuffle, slow jog).

Stewardship Moment

Foam balls are reusable. After play, count all balls and return them to the equipment bag.
Reflection: “What would this game look like with half the balls? Would we be more careful with each one?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “This game involves soft foam balls being thrown. For those not comfortable with objects being thrown near them, a ball-retrieval or score-tracking role is a great option.”
Mid-game check: After 5 minutes, pause. “Thumbs up, sideways, or down. How is the energy?”
Opt-out/re-entry: Move to the sideline at any time. Re-enter as a free runner at the next reset.

Risks and Mitigation

Throwing too hard: use soft Nerf or foam balls only; remind players this is tag-style, not a competitive throw.
Collision near the centre line: establish a 1m no-crossing buffer on each side of the rope.
Jedi overextending and colliding: remind the Jedi to hop at a controlled pace.

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Freeze and Free”: partners practise freezing and unfreezing each other with a gentle tap.
“Catch and Count”: the group tries to keep a chain of clean catches going for as long as possible.

Debrief Questions

What? “What was the Jedi’s biggest challenge? What did you notice about the frozen players?”
So What? “How did your team decide who to rescue first or when to throw?”
Now What? “When in real life do you help someone who is stuck or frozen by a problem?”

Cleanup and Reset