Core Routines: Wandering, Animal Forms, Expanding the Senses
Skills Practiced: Quiet movement, sudden action, awareness of pressure and sound
Ecological Indicators: Mammals, birds
Qualities Fostered: Aliveness, Agility, Anticipation
Directions (Shields): South (Activate), Southeast (Challenge), East (Spark)
Suggested Age Range: 6–12 (great energy game; adaptable for older youth with layered complexity)
Timing & Energy Level: Mid-morning to midday; high energy (South/Southeast)
Set-Up & Materials:
- Open forest or field with natural boundaries
- No materials needed
- Choose a safe, open area without sharp objects
Description:
A playful sneaking-and-tagging game. One player stands in the middle with eyes closed and counts aloud. The others try to sneak up and tag them gently before they finish counting. If the person in the center hears someone, they point and open their eyes. If they catch someone moving, that person is out or returns to the starting line. The game builds agility, stealth, and awareness of pressure, timing, and terrain.
Coyote Mentoring Tips:
- Use it after Owl Eyes or Fox Walk to “release” quiet energy
- Laugh together! It’s meant to be fun, not serious
- Ask the group to invent new rules or challenges: different movements, sounds, or animals
Variations:
- Play in teams: one team sneaks, one team guards
- Use different animal gaits (squirrel hops, snake slither)
- Add a call-and-response layer (e.g., mimic bird calls)
Debrief Prompts:
- “What helped you move quietly?”
- “What made you laugh today?”
- “How did it feel to be still and alert?”
Story Seeds:
- Stories of ambush, surprise, or sneakiness in animal lore
- Tales of alertness saving a life
- Personal memories of sneaky games or being caught