Your team is assembled. You check your taggers and radios to insure that you are all set to the same frequency and synchronize your watches. The GAME MASTER starts the game. Your team spreads out, looking intently for signs of the enemy. With a quiet approach and careful aim, you and your team sprint for the goal on the enemy turf, hoping to bring it back intact, and securing peace for the galaxy (for now)...

FAQ’s

How do I join the club?

Go to our members communication page at Link to Yahoo Group Site and sign up. This way you will be automatically emailed game dates and important information. We try to supply the equipment but have limited supplies. By knowing how many will show up will allow us to bring what we will need and use. Join the club by showing up and playing some tag. We'll ask you to review and sign a waiver, but that's it.

What is “The Waiver”?

The waiver is a jumble of legalese that protects the group (well, me), from lawsuits in the unlikely event a player gets hurt while playing. The IR beams from the taggers won't hurt anyone, but by simply playing in a park and running around in the woods, injuries can happen. Also, we have to contend with insects and wildlife. See the waiver here.

How much does it cost to participate?

There are no dues or fees! Just the cost of batteries and anything personal you require. Bring something to drink or snack on as well, and you're good to go. There is a limited amount of gear to be borrowed, however. If you have your own gear, please bring it. If you can purchase your own gear for yourself or children, please do so.

When do we meet?

The group meets (tries) once per month. Hopefully more, sometimes less. Please refer to our Calendar for upcoming meets.

Where do we meet?

The group plays anywhere we can, without getting into trouble with local authorities. Wooded areas are best but often do NOT have any restroom facility. There are some gas stations down the road for emergencies, but it's best to come empty.

Who can play?

Anyone who wants to play Lazer Tag! We encourage anyone with an interest to come, from children to adults. 8 to 80 (maybe more)! Children age 8 to 12 need to have a parent or guardian present at all times, and kids 13 to 18 should be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the first meeting at least, to introduce themselves to the group organizer(s), and to sign the Waiver. We encourage a parent or guardian to be present at all times for anyone under 18. All participants and, if under 18, their parent or legal guardian, must sign the waiver to play with the group. See above for information on the Waiver, and to read it and the Rules in advance.

Why Should I Play Lazer Tag?

• Promotes Teamwork and Cooperation!

• Promotes Exercise and Health!

• Promotes thinking skills and strategy!

• Infrared beams are NOT harmful!

• Did I forget to mention that it's FUN!

What is “Lazer Tag”?

Lazer Tag is really just a Trademarked name (note the Z instead of an S in "Lazer") for toys by a certain company (Worlds of Wonder) that use focused infrared beams of light to send signals. The infrared signals emitted by the taggers, or guns are less dangerous than a flashlight, and about the same as your TV or other remotes, which uses the exact same basic technology. In fact, some TV remotes could be programmed to emit a Lazer Tag signal. The IR beams are not even laser focused. They are simply focused through a lens to reduce the spread of the beam, and increase range.

The games we play are for fun, and we use terms like "tagger" instead of gun, "tagged" instead of shot, and "tagged out" instead of killed. The taggers are gun-like, but in a very sci-fi way, with bright colors, and styling that looks nothing at all like a real gun. They conform to national, state, and local standards and requirements for legal toy gun styling, to avoid any complications with law enforcement. We also encourage total compliance with figures of authority when confronted. We play to have fun, not to cause trouble.

Why infrared tag instead of paintball?

• Having played paintball in the days when it was called the SURVIVAL GAME, and we used a single shot marker gun, there is much to be said with the adrenaline rush of paintballs whizzing past your head, or splattering on the tree in front of you. However paintball requires judges to keep it relatively honest. Even then, field rules differ allowing for different plays. One of the things that turned me off paintball originally was in one game, years ago, every one had single shot markers and one player came on field with a Trippman. At the game start, he started firing into the air yelling "death from above". In outdoor lazer tag, you don't need judges to make a decision (yes I know that you can still cheat). In lazer tag, you either get hit, or you don't - no splatter rules, bunker or pointblank rules.
• Cost-effectiveness. With ESS (or other tag systems), your only disposable resource is batteries. Even these can be replaced with rechargeable cells. No expendable balls to buy, no air cartridges to replace or refill.
• No protective gear required. This might also fall under the cost-effectiveness of the systems. Sure, you can choose to go all out and buy body amour for infrared tag if you like the costuming part of it. Otherwise, just wear sensible clothing.
• No age limit. Anyone who can wear the gear can play.
• Limited physical contact, with anything. No balls whizzing through the air, no painful hits in the chest or other sensitive areas. This is a true non-contact sport.
• This last is probably the greatest advantage of infrared tag over paint ball- Zero Residual Presence (ZRP). Done properly, one can host a 100-person game of infrared tag in a professional office building all night long and, at the end of the game, walk away without a single shred of evidence that anyone has been there. No paint marks on the walls, no expended air canisters, no unexploded paintballs rolling around the floor. ZRP makes infrared tag one of the cleanest sports going! Provided equipment, it can be played anywhere, with anyone, without having to worry about leaving a mess.

What should I bring?

• Besides yourself and a healthy spirit for adventure just this; If you have your own equipment great. If you are using one of our loaners, please bring batteries (you will be advised what size to bring).
• An FRS radio is a plus, so please bring it.
• Remember, this is Florida and it gets hot, so bring water (lots of it) or other beverage but please no alcoholic ones.
• A snack is another good one, but please clean up after yourself (we do provide garbage bags).
• Even if you have a radio, a good whistle is a good idea in case of injuries, or your lost or whatever.
• Good, cool but sturdy clothes and gloves (optional). Cammo's are good as they are sturdy, blend in well with the environment and you don't care if they get dirty or torn, but be careful when wearing them in public as people may get the wrong idea.

For each style of game, the GAME MASTER will post other requirements as they become needed.