Gladiators for Charity!

I mentioned a little while ago that I am a Cub Scout Den Leader. It can be just as weird, annoying, and boring as it sounds. On the other hand, when the kids get into it things can be a ton of fun. Over the summer, I realized that I had been doing it wrong. Instead of trying to follow the outlines given by instruction books, I would have themes.

We were going to have a cool theme a month, but that didn’t happen. Over the summer, the theme was videogames, but then we started into Roman Warfare. I knew some folks, and asked them to help out. Then more people started coming in. Then we realized that there was more to do to keep with the theme. So, since September, I have been the leader of 6 Roman warriors fighting their way for home and country. They had to earn Citizenship in Rome, and prove their warrior health -required badges. Now we are hunting the enemy, and preparing for wounds -also known as Readyman and Outdoorsman badges. The big thing will be laying siege to a fortress we built, as one side protects it, and the other tries to take it over.

If you are male, your inner 10 year old has just squealed, and begun yelling oaths of loyalty to Caesar. The thoughts of movies like 300, and games like Rome Total War are filling your mind. First off 300 was Greek, and way earlier than the Romans, but its cool. I actually got the idea from the game R:TW.

Basically, the theme and requirements work together to inspire the kids. It’s my first attempt at something called Gamification. There are people who study turning things into games, and thus easier to learn, as a profession. People have degrees in studying this. There are all sorts of books, and even TED talks on this subject.

To keep with the theme, my scouts made swords, spears, and shields. A friend is an artist, and taught them how to make designs on their shields. It is all surprisingly cheap, and works great.

We are now starting to plan out the Siege, and the siege weapons needed. Parents have been invited, and volunteers emailed. The first big meeting will be next Thursday, and I really look forward to it.

My sister has something called Sarah’s Syndrome, which means she is a bobble head with a sharp stick in the middle of the spring. Her neck ligaments aren’t sturdy enough, so she can twist her neck in ways few others can. You know that scene where the demon child twists their head to look behind them? Wyssa can do that. We call it the owl. The problem is, this really messes up her nervous system. That sharp stick is her spine, and it is poking her brain.

For us, just knowing is a relief. She has been to countless doctors, and had horrible seizures, and sudden paralysis in her body. She wakes up wondering if she can walk out of bed. This week, her body has decided that her left leg can only move so much. Before the diagnosis she would go to the ER for help with a seizure, and the doctor would say it was psychological, and discharge her. Why yes, I do have some special words designated for those doctors. I had to invent a few, because none of the languages I speak have something foul enough to give forth my emotions on the issue.

Wyssa is not the sad glum child everyone imagines. In fact, most people with life altering diseases that create horrific problems are. They just get bored of being miserable. There was a girl I knew with no kidneys, dying of a terrible disease, who used crutches like a an olympic gymnast. It’s true, there are times when anyone is sad, or worried, but people like this decide to be happy.

My little sister has had brain surgery, nearly died from the stitches going out, graduated highschool, and then went to college. She makes sure to fill her life with things to do. She was the president of the biggest club at her school. She held two jobs, while volunteering for another. She plays organ at one of those really big churches. It’s only recently that she decided to take the problems seriously, and come home. She was ready to heal up and head out in a few weeks. So far it has been six months.

Sadly, people who see my sister, all of her work, and her personality do not realize it comes with a side order of bobble head. She will have random seizures, some where she blacks out from the pain. Her entire body contorts because her muscles are tightening and relaxing randomly. Then, she gets back up, and starts doing someones accounting.

So the diagnosis for us was a wonderful thing. It explained what was going on, and that she probably wouldn’t die. You know you have something nasty when you get jealous of a cancer patient.

The surgery is to readjust her head, and put a metal part on her neck. She won’t be an owl, and hopefully she won’t have seizures either. The problem is, it costs money.

Insurance will pay everything, but $10,000 of the surgery. Then we have the plane ticket, recovery time, stay in New York, and other medical costs. Wyssa figures that it will all be $15,000 in the end.

So, the other day, as we discussed different ideas to fundraise money for everything, we thought about Gladiators. I have the volunteers, and training to set something up. The rules will be about the same as the ones we have after every Webelos meeting. Yes, after learning knots, my Webelos go into combat. They love it.

The rules are this. The swords, and spears are padded. The term is boffer. It’s basically a PVC pipe with three four layers of padding on top. We actually test to make sure each weapon is safe, and doesn’t hurt. One kid made a sword with three inches of duct tape. We nicknamed it the bonehammer, and he remade it.

The shields are padded on the edges. This is to protect both the swords, and people hitting them. It’s a lot of duct tape, and each scout has their own design on front.

If you are hit in an appendage, that body part is gone. So, if you get hit in the leg, you have to kneel, and use only the other leg. Two appendages, and you are dead. If it hits the head, the hit is illegal, and the other person is dead. If it is a body shot, then it is an instant death. No crotch shots.

Wyssa thinks having chalk dust should add to the flavor, by showing where a person was hit. There would be all against all, and teams. There would also be Team Flag games. To take a flag, you have to get a flag to your flag. If you are killed, you can be revived by a teammate dragging you to your flag. If your flag is taken, you are out, or part of the team that took it. The decision will be made by that teams captain.

We intend to have side things, like sword shops, and building areas. Also, a lion pit, and dunk tank. These lions will be the fiercest kittens I can find. There will also be competitions for best sword, shield, helmet, and costume. Also, there will be a picture booth with real life Roman Soldiers -my little Cub Scouts.

Each fighter will help raise funds by getting sponsors. For every kill, or major win, the sponsor will donate a specific amount. We also will have local stores with booths present. For example, the local ACE hardware can have a booth for items needed to make a sword. I think they will make a killing.

We will try to have online sponsors as well. Someone just asked about providing prizes. That is a great idea.

There are a lot of things we haven’t finalized yet, but it sounds great. Gettin the local college involved, and other groups is a good idea. The Roman Siege will have a few months later, and all of the teams can come back with their own fortress for grand brawls.

My Webelos are learning a ton. The Roman theme has caught their imaginations, and I want to make sure that everything I promised them happens. My sister is one of the most important people in my life. Having a Gladiator event helps both and sounds really cool. I think it will work out, but there is a lot of work ahead to do it.

If you would like to donate to the cause, Wyssa has a go fund me account. I fully intend to help out my sister, and think that having a gladiatorial battle is a great way to do it. We have a lot of other ideas as well, but this one has caught everyone’s attention. So, if you can, please donate, or help find people who want to hit others with padded sticks.