Team Black Ops wins the first NERF Dart Tag Championship

Team Black Ops: Kevin Letts, 11; Christian Lopez, 11; George Przanowski, 9; Michael Setzer, 9; and Benjamin Franco, 10, won the Des Plaines Park District NERF Dart Tag Challenge on Saturday, July 27. Five teams competed in the Capture the Flag style tournament on the Terrace Elementary School field at 735 S. Westgate Road. The winners received their choice of a new Glow-in-the-Dark, Motorized, or Strongarm blaster, courtesy of Brian Vasquez, an official blogger for the NERF company. The second place team, Anti Gravity: Sean Nieman, 12; Lio Nunez, 14; Max Nunez, 9; and Matthew Weinert, 8, were awarded NERF Light Beam Targeting Pistols, and all participants were given NERF participation medallions. “These kids had a blast,” said Cindy Yelich, Special Events Coordinator, “NERF Tag is like a real life video game, with all the benefits of exercise and playing outdoors. We are promoting good sportsmanship, teamwork, and honesty, and having fun doing it.”

Participants ranged in age from 8 to 14 years old and were divided into five teams: Black Ops, Warriors, Ben's Team, Anti-Gravity, and Stealthy Spartans. In the Capture the Flag Tournament, each team hides a flag on the field under a bunker on the course. At the whistle, the teams rush the field shooting at their opponents, while simultaneously searching for the flag. A team member who gets hit must return to his side for a ten second penalty. The first team to successfully return their flag to their side, wins.

After the tournament, the kids challenged the adults, including their parents and Park District staff, in an all out NERF battle. Participants also had the option of competing in a timed obstacle course, shooting at targets from prone, kneeling, and standing positions.

For more information about special events, programs and classes at the Des Plaines Park District, visit www.DPParks.org or call 847-391-5700. Fall program registration begins August 26.