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Volunteering at Scouts is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing at Scouts. Read more

Discover what this means

Play don’t wake the Kraken

Face the deadly Kraken in this stealthy water-based game.
Plan a session with this activity

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Before you begin

  • Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Additional help to carry out your risk assessment, including examples can be found here.

Nominate the Kraken

  1. One person should start as the Kraken. In maritime mythology, the Kraken was a giant sea monster, possibly a giant squid. The Kraken roamed the oceans and wrecked ships, pulling the sailors down to the depths.
  2. The Kraken should start in the middle of the water with their back turned to the rest of the group. The water should be low enough that they can still stand on the bottom.
  3. Everyone else should start out of the water.

Make a controlled entry

  1. Everyone should try to enter the water as quietly as they can, so as not to attract the attention of the Kraken. The water should be at least 1.5 metres deep. Entry into the water must be controlled:
    • Sit on the side and put your legs in the water.
    • Put both your hands on the side.
    • Turn your back to the water and straighten your arms.
    • Lower yourself into the water gently, keeping hold of the side at all times.
  1. Once in the water, everyone should make their way as quietly as possible towards the Kraken.
  2. If the Kraken hears someone entering the pool or moving towards them, they should turn around and try to catch anyone who is still moving.
  3. Anyone who gets caught should go back to the side, gets out and begin again.
  4. The first person to reach the Kraken and tap them on the shoulder is the winner.

Reflection

This activity was about being physically active and learning how to make a controlled entry into the water. Why is it important to enter the water carefully? How could your entry affect yourself and others?

This activity was also a team game, where you had to work together. How well did everyone work together to beat the Kraken? How could you have worked together better?

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

Water games and activities

Be careful when doing activities with, in, or near water. Check surfaces and reduce the risk of slipping where possible. Make sure you have appropriate supervision for this activity.

Swimmers must not dive into the water, but enter by controlled entry at the side. Make sure the water is at least 1.5 metres deep.

Position the Kraken further away or closer to the side.

Those with less confidence could use buoyancy aids in the water.

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

Swimmer Stage 1