Hey, Dodgers!
The energy is charged with cheers, shrieks, shouts, and other sounds of excitement that join the bouncing sounds of a dozen rubber balls launched one way as a dozen more fly in the opposite direction. Dodgeball at summer camp is a surefire means of frenzied fun! It’s been a staple of gym classes as well as summer camp activities, but its origins can be traced back to ancient civilizations.
Some historians speculate that games similar to Dodgeball were played as far back as 500 BC., but it’s officially recognized to have begun 200 years ago in Africa. Their version wasn’t really a game, though. It was played with stones instead of rubber balls. Instead of fun or spectator amusement, it was intended to develop the strength and endurance of their warriors.
From Africa, it spread to Asia. And after that it was popularized in Europe where they traded out the stones for leather balls. European schools started using the game as a way to teach children important skills like agility, hand-eye coordination, and teamwork. Over the course of the 1900s, the modern version emerged, made its way to the United States and its popularity went through the roof!
Dodgeball helps children develop important skills such as:
Agility
You have to move quickly in this game to avoid getting hit. Become more nimble and coordinated the more you play.
Hand-Eye Coordination
As is the case with any sport that involves catching a ball, Dodgeball strengthens hand-eye coordination. You have to catch balls and throw them back with speed.
Teamwork
Dodgeball is a team sport that requires players communicate effectively and work together in order to achieve the win.
Overall, it's a game with a long history that encourages physical activity, teamwork, and sportsmanship, making it an ideal activity for kids at summer camp! While the game has undergone some major changes over time, its main objective has remained the same (and it’s a lot more fun and safe now that it isn’t played with rocks).
Enjoy some rounds of Dodgeball this summer if you have the opportunity at your camp! Thanks for reading today’s Blog post and, as always, Happy Camping!
- John