Watermelon Night Hunt

Name and Purpose

Watermelon Night Hunt combines a classic scavenger hunt with a counsellor-encounter element for a memorable after-dark camp tradition.
Teams practise navigation, cooperation, and decision-making in low-light conditions.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 20-60 players | 45-75 minutes | Large outdoor camp property with wooded or varied terrain; played at dusk or in early darkness

Materials

1 watermelon per team (cut in half the day of the game)
Plastic wrap or reusable food wrap to cover each half
Permanent markers to label each half clearly by team colour
Optional: 1 glowstick per watermelon half to make finding slightly easier
3 pieces of duct tape per team (given to players at start)
Optional: 1 glowstick or small headlamp per team for navigation
Whistle for signals (long blast = all players return to base immediately)
First aid kit at the central base location
Staff positioned at fixed points throughout the terrain with walkie-talkies or clear communication plan

Quick-Run Card

Cut each watermelon in half on the day of the game. Wrap in plastic wrap and label by team colour. Hide both halves separately in the terrain.
Divide players into teams of 5-10. Give each team 3 pieces of duct tape attached to their clothing.
At the signal, teams enter the terrain to find both labelled halves of their watermelon.
Counsellors positioned in the terrain gently tag players; a tag costs one piece of duct tape.
When a team finds both halves, they eat out the centre of the watermelon and duct tape the halves back together. First team with a taped-together watermelon wins.

Setup and Boundaries

Walk the terrain in daylight before the game to identify safe paths and any hazards (uneven ground, low branches, water features)
Establish a clear boundary for the search area; players do not go beyond this boundary
Mark the central base with a visible light source so teams can always find their way back
One long whistle blast = emergency stop; all players return to base immediately
Assign at least one staff member per team with a walkie-talkie or agreed check-in interval
First aid kit at the central base; staff aware of camper medical needs before the game begins

How to Play

Prepare watermelons: cut in half, wrap in plastic wrap, and label clearly by team colour. Place a glowstick next to each half if using (optional, makes finding slightly easier).
Divide players into teams of 5-10. Each team receives 3 pieces of duct tape attached to their clothing.
Brief teams on the boundary, the safety signal (one long whistle blast), and the goal: find both halves of your team’s watermelon.
At dusk or after dark, send teams into the terrain simultaneously.
Counsellors are stationed at hidden points throughout the terrain. If a counsellor gently touches a player on the shoulder (a tag), that player gives up one piece of duct tape.
Teams with no duct tape remaining can still search for their watermelon; they just hand over any tape they find on the ground, or the leader assigns a brief pause (10 seconds, standing still) in place of tape.
When a team locates both halves of their watermelon, they return to a designated eating zone (a lit, flat area), eat the red centre of each half, and duct tape the two rinds back together.
The first team to present a taped-together watermelon wins. All teams are celebrated.
After the winner is announced, all teams finish eating their watermelon before the debrief.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Navigate the terrain, find the watermelon halves, and dodge counsellors
S (Support): Serve as the team navigator or communicator, keeping the group moving together
Q (Quiet): Move carefully and quietly through the terrain; a valuable stealth role
O (Observer): Staff-assisted option: one player from each team may stay at base and track which areas of the terrain other teams have searched, then radio clues to their team

Inclusion Adaptations

Players who prefer not to navigate in the dark may assist at the eating and assembly station (the lit zone) or serve as the team’s base communicator
Teams with a player using a mobility aid scout terrain sections closest to the base first; staff adjust counsellor positioning accordingly

Stewardship Moment

Use the entire watermelon: eat the red flesh, and compost or leave the rind in a designated spot for the camp’s composting system
Plastic wrap: collect all wrapping at the end and dispose of properly; it does not belong in the terrain
Glowsticks: collect all glowsticks at the end; they are single-use but small; dispose of in regular waste (not compost or terrain)
Reflection: “What did we use tonight that came from the earth? How do we make sure our night game does not leave anything behind in the woods?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “Tonight’s game involves moving through camp in the dark and being tagged by counsellors. For those not comfortable with dark terrain or being surprised by counsellors, there are base roles available.”
Walk the boundary in daylight with any players who want to see the terrain before it gets dark.
Mid-game check: Staff positioned in the terrain conduct brief check-ins with each team they encounter.
Opt-out/re-entry: Players may return to base at any time. A staff member at base ensures no one is alone. Players can re-enter the search at the start of the next round if teams reset.

Risks and Mitigation

Players getting lost or leaving the boundary: clear boundary briefing before dark; buddy system required (no solo movement); staff at boundary points
Tripping or falling in the dark: brief players to move slowly and watch their footing; staff sweep the terrain in daylight beforehand
Players startled by counsellors: brief players before the game that counsellors will be in the terrain; the “scare” element is expected and part of the game; players who do not want to be surprised may wear a visible wristband signalling counsellors to tag without the scare element
Food hygiene on the watermelon: cut and wrap watermelons close to game time; do not leave in the heat; discard any watermelon that has been on the ground unwrapped
No duct tape left: alternate consequence (10-second pause) is built in so no team is eliminated

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Dark Walk”: before the game, take a 2-minute silent walk along the boundary in the dark so players get comfortable with the light level
“Team Name Shout”: each team practises calling out their team colour clearly so members can find each other in the dark

Debrief Questions

What? “How did your team work together in the dark? What was the hardest moment?”
So What? “How did not being able to see clearly change how you communicated and trusted each other?”
Now What? “When do you need to trust your team and keep going even when you cannot see the full picture?”

Cleanup and Reset

Collect all plastic wrap and dispose of properly
Collect any glowsticks from the terrain
Compost watermelon rind in camp’s composting area
Do a daylight sweep of the terrain the following morning to check for any missed items