Leader Guide
Game
- Two blankets or sheets, brown or tan if possible
- Six chairs
- Four empty paper towel rolls; or for each one, substitute two sheets of cardstock rolled up and taped into a tube
- String, about 8 feet
- Scissors
- Painters or masking tape
- Optional: timer, such as a stopwatch, clock or watch with second hand, or timer app
- If your class is small, you may use half the amount of supplies and play as one group instead of two teams
- If your class has more than 20 children, add an extra “camel” and set of “bedrolls”
- Sixth grade helpers or other volunteers to keep score for each team and help retrieve and return the bedrolls
- Bible or the Superbook Bible App
To make the bedroll sets, cut the string into two 4 foot lengths. Tie one end of a string securely around the middle of a paper towel roll, then tie the other end of the string around the middle of another paper towel roll. Secure with tape. Repeat with the other string and towel rolls.
To make a “camel,” place three chairs together, front to back; then place a blanket over the top; see illustration.
Create a second “camel” several feet away using the other chairs and blanket.
Mark or tape a line about 6–8 feet away from the camels’ backs.
In the video, Eliezer took a long journey. Gizmo said it would take about a month to travel 600 miles to Haran, where Abraham’s relatives lived. How many miles did Gizmo say that a fully loaded camel could travel in one day? About 20 miles.
Eliezer took ten camels packed with supplies and gifts for the chosen bride and her family. See Genesis 24:10. What happened when Chris tried to pack his camel with supplies? The knot didn’t hold. The supplies fell on top of a man.
Yes, once again, Chris thought he didn’t need instructions to perform a task!
Point to the “camels” and hold up the “bedrolls.” In our game today, you will have a chance to see if you can pack bedrolls on a camel with more success than Chris!
Demonstrate as you talk. Each player will hold a bedroll in each hand and toss the set toward their team’s camel so it straddles or stays on top of the camel without falling to the ground. You must keep trying until you’re successful. The first team to have 10 players throw their bedrolls on their camel wins!
Divide the class into two teams.
Have each team form a single-file line behind the mark.
Give the first player on each team a set of bedrolls.
Say, “Go!” Each player tosses the rolls toward their team’s camel.
A point is scored each time the rolls straddle or stay on top of the camel. A sixth grade helper or another volunteer should keep track of the points for each team.
If the bedroll doesn’t stay on the camel, the player must retrieve the bedroll and try again until it does. Allow smaller children, those with special needs, or children who can’t throw well to stand closer to the camels as necessary.
The player then quickly retrieves the rolls and brings them back to the next player—or you may have sixth grade helpers retrieve and return the bedrolls.
Play should be fast-paced and continuous.
The first team to pack their camel ten times wins!
Options:
If your class is small, play as a single team.
Play with a timer and see how many camels the group can pack before time runs out. Play again to beat that score.
Conclusion: Wow—what experienced packers you are! Chris could have used your help! That was a long journey to make on camelback, wasn’t it? Now, let’s find out more about Eliezer’s journey and the success God gave him!