6th Annual Mind Body & Games

Written By:     Samirna Esteve                                          Monique Thornton
                     Kinesiology Junior                                       Community Health Senior
                     SPH Student Ambassador

March 14, 2013 marked the 6th Annual Mind & Body Games, hosted by the SPH Alumni Chapter Board. These games challenge participants mentally and physically, and require teamwork and cooperation. This year’s Mind and Body Games, coordinated by SPH Alumni Coordinator Gloria Friedgen and staffed with the help of the SPH Ambassadors, had six teams of up to eight people and included students from Student Kinesiology Organization and Gmykana and faculty, staff, and alumni of the School of Public Health.

The night began with physical challenges, including golf putting, bowling, a basketball shooting drill, a basketball dribbling drill, a hula-hoop challenge, jump rope, obstacle course. Events were based on time or other achievement levels. Each event score ranged from two to ten points. Only one team member could do each event, so teams strategized amongst themselves to determine who would perform which tasks. Most teams decided to split up the tasks based on individual strengths and abilities.

In between events, teams were given bonus games to complete. These bonus games were a way for teams to earn extra points outside of the regular events. One of the games was a medium-level Sudoku puzzle. Another was a series of images, letters, or both arranged in a way that literally translated into words or phrases. The third was a series of brainteasers. Teams were also provided with granola bars, candy (which would come in handy later), pizza, and water.

The mental challenges began with a very difficult round of Trivial Pursuit. The next event was Buzzword, and that was followed by a modified version of Scrabble. Next was Scrutineyes, a visual game that required teams to look at a picture and find items beginning with a certain a letter of alphabet. Teams had to find 70 items to earn all ten points for that event. A scavenger hunt required team members to furiously search their person and belongings to find a varied assortment of items, including a restaurant coupon and candy. Family Feud was the most controversial game--the population that was used to generate the top responses did not relate very well to game participants. It may have been one of the lowest scoring games overall. Another trivia event was For the Record, which quizzed teams on musical knowledge starting from the 1950s. Participants then played Tribond, a game that listed three things for which participants had to find a common bond or connection. For the last event, students had to assemble two 100-piece puzzles as quickly as possible.

By the end of the night, all three Gymkana teams emerged victoriously and walked away with the top three spots, each with a total of over 110 points.  

I personally recommend that everyone try out the Mind & Body Games. You didn't have to be a participant, as Monique was, to enjoy the games. I was an event volunteer and watched from afar as gamers played, and still really enjoyed this event! It was hard to distinguish the first-time students from the returners; everyone was so energetic. Racing against the clock and against each other, everyone was both challenged and engaged. And even though this was a competition, I found everyone earnestly encouraging each other to do their best. The Mind & Body Games were not just competitive; they were fun!