Equipment and Materials

• One blindfold
• An object to steal (like a neckerchief, ball, or frisbee)

Setup Instructions

1. Choose a large, open space. Outdoors is best, but a big indoor area works too.
2. Place the object on the ground in the center of the playing area.
3. Select one Scout to be the “guard.” Blindfold the guard and have them sit next to the object.
4. The other Scouts are the “thieves” and should stand a good distance away from the guard.

Game Play Instructions

1. The thieves try to quietly approach the object and steal it without being caught.
2. The guard listens carefully for sounds of movement.
3. If the guard hears someone, they point in the direction of the sound. If they point to a thief, that thief is out for the round.
4. Thieves must walk, not run. If they run, they are out.
5. If a thief steals the object without being caught, they become the guard for the next round.

Additional Notes

• For safety, make sure the area is free of obstacles like sticks, rocks, or furniture that could trip Scouts.
• To make it more challenging for older Scouts, have the guard spin in place before starting or add obstacles for the thieves to cross.
• Remind Scouts to be fair and follow the rules, like walking instead of running.
• This game works best with about 5-10 Scouts. If your group is larger, play multiple rounds with different guards.

For more information, see https://scoutermom.com/16248/sleeping-guard-game/