I love dodgeball.

I love dodgeball. I really do.

I think if done right, dodgeball can be a great program for all ages of children at camp.  I say program because I think it is more than just a game.  It's an amazing opportunity for children to let out their aggression in a controlled environment.  If facilitated correctly by staff, campers can walk away happy and exhausted.

The issues I've heard about dodgeball all go back to staff remembering that they are staff.  This means staff are establishing rules and boundaries with the campers' safety in mind.  This means staff knowing if they are playing in the game, that they are playing a level of strength that is comparable to the campers.  This means the staff constantly role modeling sportsmanship and respect during the program.

Like all programs ran at camp, if the staff forget their role and responsibility, anything can become a bad and possibly dangerous time.