Take Aim Games Promotes Team Based Activities in Lincoln

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN)- The whistle of arrows pierced the North Lincoln air today as teams of individuals from family to friends gathered to put their accuracy-based skills to the test.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center held the last of its, Take Aim Games on Saturday, July 30 near N. 44 and Superior street.

The event puts teams into competitive-based challenges that circulated the education center’s grounds including archery hikes to tomahawk throwing.

Assistant park superintendent Rachel Carlson said that teams move about the competition participating in 4 different events unique to the team based on age.

“We base what the group does on the youngest registered member just so it’s kind of equal for everyone in the team,” said Carlson.

Children ages six and up are able to take part in the archery hike but have the chance to try out events like rubber band rifle shooting and slingshot targeting.

Older participants from ages 16 and up have the chance to participate in more challenging events like tomahawk throwing and flying disk archery.

“We love to see people who haven’t done this kind of stuff before. If you’ve never tried it out, this is all beginner-friendly,” Carlson said. “You have a guide that’s going with you. They’ll teach you how to do all of these activities, so if you’ve never thrown a spear before, or you’ve never shot a slingshot before, or thrown an ax, we will teach you as we go through the activities.”

Take Aim Games, offered the chance to try out an ancient spear-throwing technique called an atlatl, where team members overhand throw spears at a makeshift elephant target.

Those who threw nearest to the heart of the elephant, depicted by a large orange circle gained higher points on the rating system.

The Take Aim Games event may have ended with this final event but those still interested in archery and shooting activities can visit the Outdoor Education Center at anytime to gain better proficiency in the field.

“We do have a large facility and a large grounds so we send a guide with each group that’s going out. We want to make sure that if you’re not able to find your next activity, [that] you’re able to get to where you’re needing to go so we send a guide with you,” said Carlson.

The next community event is an archery tournament scheduled for Saturday, August 6 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Outdoor Education Center.