Shadow Dash

Name and Purpose

Shadow Dash is a stealth movement game played in low light, challenging players to read timing, use cover, and move with awareness.
Best suited for Teens who are confident outdoors at night and with staff well briefed on the space.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 13-17 | 10-30 players | 20-40 minutes | Large outdoor area (beach, sandpit, open field), 100-150m from start to finish line

Materials

4-6 torches (flashlights) for light casters and boundary staff
Boundary markers: cones or rope along the sides
Designated start zone and finish zone (rope or cones)
Re-entry zone: a clearly marked spot near the start with a staff member
First aid kit, accessible on the field
Glow sticks or reflective bands for all players and staff (strongly recommended for night play)

Quick-Run Card

Mark start and finish zones 100-150m apart with clear side boundaries.
Assign 3 torch holders at the finish line; 2 boundary staff with torches on the sides.
Players start at the start zone and move toward the finish without being swept by a torch beam.
Torch beams sweep on for 4-7 seconds, off for 4-7 seconds, in sync.
Players caught in the beam go to the re-entry zone, complete a short task (5 star jumps), then rejoin.

Setup and Boundaries

Mark all four sides of the play area clearly with cones or rope before players enter
Assign one staff member to the re-entry zone at all times
Walk the entire play area before play for holes, debris, or hazards; remove or mark them clearly
Signal: two long whistle blasts = stop all play, stay still, and call out “Safe!”
All staff carry torches; all players wear glow sticks or reflective wristbands
Brief all staff on emergency signal and safe gathering point before play begins
Night play: confirm lighting plan and emergency exit route with the full staff team before starting

How to Play

Players gather at the start zone. Staff at the finish line and along the boundaries hold torches.
On the start signal, players move toward the finish zone using any route within the boundaries.
Players may hide, move slowly, or sprint during the dark intervals between torch sweeps.
Torch beams sweep on for 4-7 seconds, then off for 4-7 seconds (staff co-ordinate timing together).
If a torch beam clearly illuminates a player and a torch holder calls “Caught!”, that player moves to the re-entry zone near the start.
In the re-entry zone, the player does a short task (e.g., 5 star jumps or a 10-second balance hold), then re-enters from the start zone.
Players who reach the finish zone are in. They can cheer on others or become assistant torch holders for the next round.
Round ends when all players have reached the finish zone or after a set time.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Sprint and dash between dark intervals, aiming to cross quickly
S (Support): Move alongside a buddy, co-ordinate timing, help each other read the torch rhythm
Q (Quiet): Move at a walking pace, use cover slowly and patiently
O (Observer): Assist a boundary staff member, track the torch rhythm, choose when to enter play

Inclusion Adaptations

Buddy pair option: players who prefer not to move alone at night can pair with a buddy throughout
Shorter distance option: a closer start line for players who want less ground to cover
Torch holder role available for players who prefer to participate without moving through the field

Stewardship Moment

If playing in a sandy or natural area: stay on the play boundary to protect vegetation; fill in any dug holes at the end of play
Post-game: collect all cones, rope, and glow sticks; dispose of glow sticks responsibly

Consent

Pre-brief: “Shadow Dash is played in low light and involves moving across a large space at night. For those not comfortable moving in the dark or across uneven ground, torch holder and re-entry zone roles are another option . they’re just as important to the game.”
Mid-game check: Staff at re-entry zone checks in with any player who has been caught multiple times.
Opt-out/re-entry: Any player can move to the observer or torch holder role at any time by raising both hands. Rejoin as an active player from the re-entry zone at any point.

Risks and Mitigation

Trips and falls in low light: staff walk the field before play; all players wear glow sticks; clear the area of hazards
Players digging or enlarging holes during play: brief players before starting that the field is pre-set; no digging during the game
Players moving outside boundaries: boundary staff with torches maintain sight lines on all edges
Group separation or panic in the dark: keep staff distributed across the field; use a two-blast emergency stop signal

Warm-Up Suggestions

Torch Detective: in full light, players walk the field with staff to identify any hazards; doubles as a familiarisation walk
Freeze on Beam: in an open area before play, staff sweeps a torch and players freeze when the beam hits them . a fun practice run for the main game

Debrief Questions

What? “What strategy did you use to get across the field? Did it change as you played?”
So What? “What did it feel like to make quick decisions in the dark? What helped you?”
Now What? “When in real life do you have to move carefully and read the situation before acting?”

Cleanup and Reset