Outpost

Name and Purpose

Outpost is a large-scale strategy and movement game built on team roles, communication, and protecting your most important player.
Players practise leadership, spatial thinking, and adapting to a changing game.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 16-50 players | 30-60 minutes | Large outdoor space with natural cover (wooded area, field with structures). The more hiding space, the better.

Materials

Flag belts or coloured sashes: two sets of colours (one per team)
Designated jail area for each team (a small marked circle or natural landmark)
Optional: a small bonus item (ball, card, or toy) hidden in the field for extra points
Whistles for staff

Quick-Run Card

Split into teams. Each team secretly selects: one General (1 life), four Guards (2 lives), rest are Infantry (4 lives).
Losing all lives = player becomes a Spy (no more tagging, shifts to observing and passing information to teammates).
Caught players go to their team’s jail for one to two minutes, then walk back in freely.
Capture the opposing General to win the round.
Swap roles or mix teams and replay.

Setup and Boundaries

Mark clear outer boundaries. Jail areas are clearly marked at a neutral edge of the field.
Signal: one whistle = pause; two whistles = round over, gather.
Staff are stationed at each jail to time the one-to-two minute wait and release players fairly.
Check the space for hidden hazards (holes, slippery patches, low branches).

How to Play

Split into two or more teams. Teams huddle privately to choose their General, four Guards, and Infantry players. No other team knows who holds which role.
When the counsellor signals “Go!” teams spread into the field.
Any player can tag an opponent by pulling their flag or touching their shoulder.
Caught players go to their team’s jail. A staff member at the jail counts one to two minutes, then releases them back into the game.
Each role has a life count: General = 1 life, Guards = 2 lives, Infantry = 4 lives. Each time a player is caught, they lose one life. When lives run out, that player becomes a Spy.
Spies may no longer tag opponents. Their new role: move freely through the field, observe enemy positions, and pass information to teammates using only hand signals or whispers. They cannot be caught.
A team wins the round by tagging the opposing General all their lives out. A staff member confirms the win.
Optional: A bonus item is hidden in the field. Finding and returning it to your base earns a bonus point.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Infantry or Guard, moving and tagging across the field.
S (Support): General’s personal escort, coordinating team communication.
Q (Quiet): Spy role (by choice, before lives run out): focus on observation and passing intel without physical confrontation.
O (Observer): Staff-supported scorekeeper or round timer. Choose when to rotate in for the next round.

Inclusion Adaptations

Players who prefer lower physical intensity can begin as Spies by choice, contributing through observation and communication from the start.
Jail wait time can be reduced to 30 seconds for younger or less physically patient players.
Team sizes can be adjusted so no player feels isolated or without a teammate nearby.

Stewardship Moment

After the game, do a full boundary sweep: collect all flag belts and any items brought out for the optional bonus round.
Reflection: “How did your team use the space? Did you leave it the way you found it?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “This game involves flag-pulling and moving through a large outdoor space. For those not comfortable with flag-pulling, a shoulder-tap version is another option. Let your counsellor know before we start.”
Mid-game check: Staff circulate and check in with Spies and jail players to ensure they feel engaged, not sidelined.
Opt-out/re-entry: Any player can step to a neutral zone and take a breather. They re-enter at the next jail release or start of a new round.

Risks and Mitigation

Aggressive flag-pulling: remind players that a firm but gentle pull is the goal. No yanking. Staff reinforce this before play.
Players who feel singled out as General: keep role selection private. No team should reveal their General during the debrief.
Spies feeling disengaged: actively coach Spies on how to contribute. Frame it as a valued role, not a penalty.
Uneven teams: staff can join a smaller team or act as a roving neutral player.

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Mirror Walk”: pairs face each other and mirror movements for 60 seconds. Builds spatial awareness and reading others.
“Role Call”: counsellor calls a role (Guard, Infantry) and players jog to a matching colour cone. Reinforces role awareness before the game starts.

Debrief Questions

What? “What happened when your General was close to being caught?”
So What? “What made communication hard when you were spread out?”
Now What? “How do you protect the most important parts of a plan when things get complicated?”

Cleanup and Reset