Flagstaff creator Morgan Boatman mixes pirates with fitness and problem solving.
“High-level military and martial arts training is not for everyone, but the benefits should be available to all,” said Boatman, who has been trained as a civilian with a U.S. Special Forces cadre. “Leadership, problem-solving, situational awareness and cooperation are important skills that improve life. We should all know how to work together and push through challenges. That’s what Missions and Madness teaches in a fun and effective way.”
Businesses and organizations that have played the game include Northern Arizona University, Sacred Mountain Fighting and Healing Arts, Beauty Boost, Flagstaff Festival of Science, Coconino High School and Moonshot.
“It’s a great way to learn many different skills and recognize different skills in others,” said Paul Deasy, past mayor of Flagstaff. “I think people should try it, it’s a lot of fun!”
Missions and Madness can be played almost anywhere and is based on creative scenarios selected randomly with a roll of the dice. Participants may find themselves surrounded by zombies, stalked by dinosaurs, pestered by pirates, or any number of the 12 imaginary scenarios.
“You and your team must respond to these situations while making your way through your Area of Operations, which can be your neighborhood, a city park, school campus or downtown,” said Boatman. “Participants will face other challenges as well that may require them to carry a teammate or be blindfolded through an activity.”
Boatman adds that some participants worry about the physical components of the game. “Every exercise can and should be modified for each individual’s level of comfort and ability. Just like all the other skills taught in Missions and Madness, fitness starts where each participant begins.”
Boatman designed the game to help any group – classmates, coworkers, family members or a bunch of friends – strengthen the skills that lead to “exceptional” teamwork. “Real team-building training is rare,” he said. “Trust falls and hula hoop drills may break the social ice of an uncomfortable group, but in order to become a functional team, real skills must be taught and exercised. That’s exactly what Missions and Madness does.”
“This is a really great team-building experience. It allows people to just have fun, get silly, do things together and cooperate with each other to complete a variety of tasks,” said Carly Banks, an instructor at Sacred Mountain Fighting and Healing Arts. “It’s just a really great way for people to come together and experience something unique.”
There are 20,000 permutations of the variables in Missions and Madness, says Boatman. “You will never play the same game twice. My new book serves as the manual and in-depth exploration of the game. It’s printed in the style of an old U.S. Army Field Guide and the illustrations are all drawn by local artist Lenford Barton.”
Each year, Boatman offers opportunities for individuals to play the game for free during the Flagstaff Festival of Science. However now, the new Missions and Madness manual and game kit are available for anyone interested in having their own at www.missionsandmadness.com. In addition, Boatman is available to arrange and guide a custom game. He can be reached at morgan@missionsandmadness.com. FBN
By Bonnie Stevens, FBN
Courtesy Photo: Teams as small as four people can play Missions and Madness, although larger teams make some challenges easier to manage, says the game’s creator Morgan Boatman.
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