This is a continuation of a recounting of my boy's SPY PARTY on his 11th birthday. We've gone through the Recruitment where the kids chose their disguises and aliases. During the briefing, the kids were told to look out for envelopes with the mark of Carmen Sandiego. I grew up watching the Nickelodeon show "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?". I can't remember much of it, but the name stuck, so I used it in orchestrating the kids' mission. They went through training for stealth, precision and problem-solving. Now, we go to the Mission proper... |
The Mission
Kids were grouped into two (2) and assigned senior agents (co-parents) to help them accomplish their identical tasks. I prepared clues and tucked them inside brown envelopes with Carmen Sandiego stickers.
Task No. 1: Team Challenge
Go outside and join the race, but don't forget the rules in place
In pairs, in three's, in four's or five's, your legs tied up but with one pace
Once you've raced, look for the bag that's marked with Sandiego's badge
Inside should be the next clue, left by Carmen just for you
I can't remember if we skipped this first challenge due to time constraints (it was getting late and the parents, including mine were getting restless, although the kids were having so much fun!).
I wrote words in code that the kids have to decipher to know the values that they need to exercise as a team to succeed in tasks. The teams assigned members to do the decoding.
I wrote words in code that the kids have to decipher to know the values that they need to exercise as a team to succeed in tasks. The teams assigned members to do the decoding.
Task No. 2: Roadblock and Team Challenge
The covered garage with red floor tiles is where you must proceed
But, agent, beware! Only one of you can, at a time, bid
to volunteer to solve just one side of the magic cube
Yes, just one side is all you need to solve to get the next clue
The kids tried to solve one side of the Rubics cube. They can take turns if one cannot solve it, but of course, only one can do it a time.
Task No. 3 - Team Obstacle Course
Under the roofless pavement, go!
Go as a team, go, go, go!
You'll see the generator there
And also my gang, so beware!
You could be captured, oh, oh, oh...
How will you cross the obstacle course?
Be nimble, be smart, and if you succeed,
My gang will set you free and leave
We set up an obstacle course in the covered garage and asked all team members (except one) to blindfold themselves. The one who is not blindfolded will have to tell the blindfolded team members how to cross the obstacle course. "Senior agents" held the hands of the younger kids for safety.
Task No. 4 - Solving Puzzles
So you've succeeded! You beat my gang.
But time is running out for your band
Now look around and you will see
A box of five puzzles that need to be
Solved by you by guessing the names
Of famous agents who, before you, came
Write them down and guess the word
Formed by letters encircled in gold
These are the five (5) puzzles I made for the kids to solve as a team:
The answer key:
1. Evelyn Salt
2. Ethan Hunt
3. JAmes Bond
4. Jack Ryan
5. Jason BournE
Take all highlighted and underlined letters and you get the word: SHARE.
1. Evelyn Salt
2. Ethan Hunt
3. JAmes Bond
4. Jack Ryan
5. Jason BournE
Take all highlighted and underlined letters and you get the word: SHARE.
Task No. 5 - Find the bomb!
By now, you've overcome my tests
And proved that you're one of the best
But I've got one more trick on hand
You have to look for the land
Where grass grows aplenty and trees abound
Look for the box, oh look around!
Search high and low for a box with my mark ---
The one with my logo, the one with my mark.
But when you find it, you have to wait
Contact the bomb squad --- they're better trained
And so, the kids ran out to the garden (backyard) and looked for the box with Carmen Sandiego's sticker. They called in the bomb squad (one of our youth camp leaders) who gamely opened the box full of "bombs".
The kids and guests looked on to see what's inside the box...
And found it full of party string spray cans!
So we proceeded to the tent and lit the birthday candles. We all sang Happy Birthday and cheered as Z blew out the 11 candles. The kids eagerly sprayed the party string cans before lunging at the enormous pizza, fried chicken, spaghetti and other munchies.
And found it full of party string spray cans!
So we proceeded to the tent and lit the birthday candles. We all sang Happy Birthday and cheered as Z blew out the 11 candles. The kids eagerly sprayed the party string cans before lunging at the enormous pizza, fried chicken, spaghetti and other munchies.
It was drizzling that afternoon and we ate nearly towards the evening, but judging from the kids' energy and laughter, and the birthday boy's wide smile, I could confidently say: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!