I am the last person on earth who would have thought I would be driving a group of teenagers to play paintball. No one in my immediate or extended family has experience with guns, except my son during his biathlon meets. I was feeling like I was a chauffeur to the Coliseum and my husband's Hunger Game's reference of "Let the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor" did little to ease my mind.
I had already inundated the people at Tigerstripe Paintball in the Adirondacks located in Keeseville with numerous questions about safety. I was bringing other children and wanted to be able to provide the safest experience possible. It isn't our usual walk in the woods, but is certainly one option as we wait for the snow to fly.
Tigerstripe Paintball's motto is actually "Safety First. Fun Always" That works for me. As I am talked through the various birthday package options, I am asked if any of the teens have used a paintball gun before. We assume no and are taken through the beginner package. Safety helmets and goggles are mandatory and available for rent. Players can bring their own gear but it is still required to enter any of the six fields. Even with advanced players there is always a referee on the field to monitor the play.
The paintballs are eco-friendly and wash completely off clothing. I still had the kids wear old clothes and bring extra padding. My son went so far as to wear his baseball catcher's vest.
The entrance to Tigerstripe Paintball is an unassuming dirt road with plenty of parking. As the teens are being fitted for safety gear, another staff member starts going through the rules.
Currently there are six fields with plans for expansion, each with a different game scenario. The average playtime is three hours. Our group was small and only required one referee while a larger group played at an adjacent field requiring more staff to monitor the play. All the paintball games were structured with the group playing various games. At the "Tiger Alamo" the kids played a version of Capture the Flag while at the Tourney Field, they maneuvered around inflatable obstacles. Sometimes the games were set up for teams while other courses required individual play.
Throughout the course rotations the group had to complete various tasks. The favorite field for this group was a version of "Saving Private Ryan" with bunkers and boats as the group reenacted the storming of Normandy Beach.
During course changes the referee would guide the group back to the entrance building for breaks. Guests can bring in their own food and drink, but no alcoholic beverages. I set up food at one of the picnic tables, near the grill and bonfire. There is even a nearby pizza place that will deliver. The group I brought had a great time and the ride home was filled with stories regarding escapes and captures from the different fields. As a parent, I was comfortable knowing that each time someone got too close or moved out of bounds there was an adult referee there to make sure safety came first.
All photos are © Diane Chase, Adirondack Family Time. This post is an excerpt from Diane Chase's latest Adirondack Family Time guidebook, Adirondack Family Time Champlain Valley: Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities for the towns of Plattsburgh to Ticonderoga. Diane Chase is the author of the Adirondack Family Time guidebook series and co-owner of the the young adult wilderness adventure program, Adirondack Outdoor Expeditions.
