Road Trip A Spiritual Remote Control Car Race for Kids 9-19 By Dave Klem Copyright 2004
Objectives of the Game Teach kids to recognize and remember 5 key choices in life can affect how there spiritual life will develop. They are 1) Am I just a mortal human who lives for a time and then exists no more or am I a chosen alien (1st Peter), placed here on earth by God for a time and I will exist in eternity 2) Is their one guide to life on earth that is Gods only roadmap to heaven or are there many guides any of which are useable roadmaps leading to the same end state. 3) Is belief in Jesus the only way to be guaranteed of life after death or can one gain such status by their own actions of some sort. 4) Is salvation something that comes with a standard rewards for all or does service on earth bring varying levels of rewards in heaven. 5) Is my motivation for service to God important and do rewards increase when motivated by love for God rather than duty Spiritual Touchpoints There is a progression of choices in the race One must first realize that they have an eternal future and take Chosen Alien Way to leave the Land of Duh which is ignorance of God and your nature. After realizing that they are external beings. One must find that only the bible leads to the way the safe zone. It is the only map that works. Other maps to God go nowhere. (Sola Scriptus Scripture alone) Self Righteousness is a huge wide road that appears to lead directly to the gates of heaven but its really just a trap. On the road to finding the narrow bridge that truly leads to eternal life, one may be flipped by trying the exciting Love of the World jump or trapped in a Christian Cult. Getting over the narrow bridge is not hard but it is a narrow road and many find it too narrow to trust they can navigate it. (Sola Christus, Christ Alone) One over the narrow bridge one find themselves able to obey God and serve God. Here 3 levels are defined yet each has pitfalls that can get in the way of achieving it 1) one can remain saved without rewards embracing no service, 2) one can serve God motivated by duty as a servant and earn rewards 3) one comes to love God and motivate service by friendship being alongside him in it. Other miscellaneous points Pride can trap a person in servant level and block others from progressing Helping another disabled team members car is like coming along side another with biblical encouragement or counsel
A person can loose heavenly rewards by falling in the big trap (many different backsliding s can be attached) but none will cause them to loose their salvation How to Play Create teams of 3 or as many are you have remote control cars that operate independently (ie different frequencies). 2 is minimum, 4 is maximum. Each player is given a car and all are on the track at the same time although players start one at a time. Each car must navigate multiple possible routes to the safe zone and their choices of routes come with varying degrees of difficulty and various potential traps and pitfalls that exist in the various zones. In normal play, players may assist each other to reach each zone and are encouraged to do so but giving nudges or if cars become stuck bumping them back into play. A car on its side remains in play to allow another to assist it. If a car flips on its back, that player is dead and must leave the race. (remove the car). There is a time limit of 15 minutes per race but time is not a factor in scoring. It is simply to manage battery life on the cars and give others a turn in a reasonable time. Points are given to each team by player for how far they progress. 3 points maximum per race are available to each player. 1 point when any player reaches the safe zone. This point cannot be lost 1 point when any player reaches the servant of God level but lost if player falls off 1 point when any player reaches the friend of God level but lost if player falls off 1 bonus point is given to the team if all 3 players reach the friend of God level Players can choose to stay at any level if desired (remove car from track) Multiple heats are played over time (multi-day setting) and team.points are added for each race (heat) for an overall score. Have as many heats as desired. If at the end of all heats there is a tie between teams, 1 player from each team enters the course and the one to progress the furthest wins the tie breaker points using same scoring method. However in tie breaker play, the players may interfere with each others progress as they are on different teams.
The Cars A number of radio frequency remote control toy cars or trucks will work with this track. The slower the better. We liked the Lego Dune Buggy cars as they are avail in 3 frequencies and are about the right speed if configured in low speed mode. They also have replaceable AA batteries that work better in competitions as you can change them quickly and not have to wait for a plug in re-charge. The 3 Zones The track is layed out in 3 sections each sepearted by a fence. The zones are below and each is described and how to make the components for them The Land of Duh The Danger Zone The Safe Zone. The Land of Duh This zone represents ones life before becoming aware that there are spirital aspects to life. The zone includes the.. Birth Ramp... The start of the race. Players can physically line up their cars and handle them if problems occur. Once off this ramp a car cannot be touched unless it falls back into the Land of Duh the player can pickup there car and try the birth ramp again. Mortal Avenue.. One of 2 lanes entering the Danger zone. This lane has a trap door that if cars fall into the player is considered dead (car is removed and trap door reset) Alien Drive.. The other of the 2 lanes entering the Danger zone. This lane is narrow and hard to negotiate but is a safer choice. The Danger Zone This zone represents ones life before salvation. In it there are a number of roads and ramps. In this zone players attempt to take the route that gets them to the Safe Zone. The zone is laid out as follows Self Righteous Road.. A big ramp that appears to be a straight and glorious jump right into the sanctuary zone but beware it has trap doors! Sola Scriptus Road.. A raod that leads to the narrow bridge, the only way to the safe zone
Scripture Plus Place.. An area where people are led on interesting jouneys that also go no where. Love of the World Jump.. A small but exciting jump that can easily flip a car may, may not. Other Testament Loop.. An very interesting bridged scenic route that goes no where. Cult Trap.. A detour that there is difficult to return from The narrow bridge.. A very narrow bridge and the only way that can actually get you into the safe zone. The Safe Zone This zone represents the area of a persons life that is built on Christ. This zone has 3 levels. Level 1 - Sanctuary Base. Any player entering the Sancuary zone receives 1 point and cannot loose that point. Level 2 - Servant of God Zone.. Any player that makes it up to this level (all 4 wheels on it) gains a 2nd point however if the car falls off this level that point is lost. Beware of Pride Holes.. These can immobilize a player but have no effect on points except to block others progress Level 3 - Friend of God Zone.. Gaining this level is difficult but a 3rd point is added given player remains here. Beware of Big Fall Trap.. A very dangerous trap door that can drop a player all the way to Sanctuary base level. Tips : Players can choose to stay at any level if desired (remove car from track to let others try to advance) Also note that ramps are steep. Cars can bump each other giving a boost to a team member to help them up.
Track Layout Outer Track Fence The Danger Zone Friend of God Level Land of Duh Scripture Plus Place C Other Testament Loop Big Fall Servant of God Level Pride A Alien Way Mortal Ave Self Righteous Road B J G Sola Scripture Road D Love of the World E H F Narrow The Safety Zone Fence Weight Cult Trap Track Construction The Track Track Ramp components can made of ½ plywood or other board product. In a pinch, cardboard boxes can be cut up and assembled with duct tape. (we have done this multiple times successfully) Attach components with duct tape just to keep sections in place. Outer Track Fence boundary can be made of 3 plastic garden edging. Its flexible, comes in rolls and will allow cars to hit it without damage. Attach to floor with duct tape or use the weights described later at the corners and ends of the fence. The flexible fence allows the cars to hit it and remain undamaged. Dimensions shown are in inches and are approximate for basic sizing. They are omitted where component is symetrical.
Track Component A 16 3 13 Chosen Alien Way 24 Mortal Human Ave 4
Track Component B 24 24 24 24 24 6
Track Component C 26 24 24 24 Guard RailEdgeing 6
Track Component D & E Love of the World 6 6 3 Christian 6 3 16
Track Component F Cut out to fit over fence 7 5
Track Component G Pride Holes (4 dia. but irregular) 24 Servant Of God Level Friend Of God Level 16 Guard Rail Edging 3 6 16 18
Track Component H & J 22 Safe Zone 4 8 1 ½ PVC Pipe Church Sacraments 2 PVC 4 False Gate (does not Actually open) 13 8 6 24
Track Component Fence and Weights 3 Plastic Garden Edging Duct Tape Corner Weight Option Corner weights can be made from concrete poured into small plastic potted plant pots as a form. Put a 1/2 x 3 ½ x pot width piece of wood in the pot before pouring the concrete in to create the slot which can be removed after concrete is set. ½ 3
Overall Track Assy: The track components may be assembled for an event using duct tape to connect the pieces which should suffice for a single event. Since we paint the track surfaces black and add a white dotted strip down the center to resemble a road, we use black duct tape. The photo below is a rough layout of how the pieces fit together (not all parts shown). Outer Track Fence The Danger Zone Friend of God Level Land of Duh Scripture Plus Place C Other Testament Loop Big Fall Pride holes A Alien Way Mortal Ave Self Righteous Road B J G Sola Scripture Road D Love of the World Jump E H F Narrow Bridge The Safety Zone Fence Weight Cult Trap