Video Games & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Video games have slowly evolved into the primary toy for both children and young adults. The video games are so realistic and addicting that consumers often spend several hours a day playing. Sometimes the consumer plays constantly without taking a break for several hours, which can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome "occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist." The syndrome causes a sharp pain in the hand.

Video Games

Video games require the use of the hands and, more specifically, the fingers.

Correlation

Since the fingers are constantly moving for extended periods of time, the chances of getting carpal tunnel increase.

Symptoms

Symptoms of carpal tunnel include burning, tingling or itching numbness in the palm of the hand and fingers. The thumb and index fingers receive the most pain. Some patients feel as if they have swollen fingers, although the fingers do not appear swollen.

Prevention

The most obvious prevention is to reduce video game playing by an extensive amount, especially if you play over 5 hours each day. Take breaks if you plan to play for more than an hour.

Tags: carpal tunnel, Carpal Tunnel, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, several hours, tunnel syndrome

Problems With Laser Sight & Scope Zero

Zeroing in your rifle scope with a laser is an expedient method with a fair degree of accuracy. However, laser beams provide a straight line between the rifle barrel and the target; lasers cannot compensate for bullet trajectory. Trajectory is the amount that the bullet descends as it loses inertia; the further the distance, the greater the bullet drop. To zero your scope for bullet trajectory, you need to use live ammunition.

Zeroing with Live Ammunition

Set up a paper target, at the desired distance, on a rifle range. Load your rifle with three bullets, take careful aim at the center of target and take three controlled shots. Check your target and mark the center of your shot group. Adjust your scope crosshairs accordingly. On most scopes one click of the adjustment dial will move the crosshairs approximately 1/4 inch (based on a distance of 100 yards). So, if the center of your shot group is one inch below and one inch to the right of the target center; you will need to move your cross hairs one inch up and one inch to the left. Turn the vertical adjustment (the dial on top of the scope) four clicks counter-clockwise and turn the horizontal adjustment (on the right side of the scope) four click to the left. Load your rifle with three more bullets and take three more controlled shots. The shot group should now be centered on your target. If further adjustments are needed, repeat the procedure until your bullets are consistently hitting the center of the target.

Tags: shot group, your rifle, adjustment dial, bullet trajectory, bullets take

Build A Paintball Field

An urban style paintball field.

The best paintball fields are made to convey a mood among its players. Some fields, with dense natural foliage, bunkers, foxholes and climbing trees, offer a great scene for intense competitive sniper play. However, new-age materials and design mentalities like indoor fields with inflatable obstacles better serve the casual beginner who might otherwise never try the sport, giving the game a laser-tag feeling. Safety is also a major consideration. Good planning can limit the chance for visitors to your field being injured and therefore increase profitability and repeat customers. Choosing a theme with options like war reenactments or historical eras will make for a good field just as much as the basic layout.

Instructions

1. Inflatable obstacles make safe and cheap additions to a field.

Determine your demographic and plan out a theme for your field. Make sure it is appropriate for the kinds of properties you have available. Build an authentic woods field outdoors and an urban combat field indoors for best effect. Bringing in fake foliage can cheapen the game experience. When you are determining your theme, try to play to the strengths of the base location. Draw a layout complete with bunkers, sniper points and plenty of cover. If drawing isn't your forte, hire an outside contractor to help you with your layout blueprint. Contact your preferred building contractor if you are unsure that you need a higher-quality blueprint than one you've drafted. Try to go for a theme. These range from neon laser tag-like layouts to wild west or even World War simulation fields. Having a well-defined theme from the start draws in customers. Be sure to have suitable gear for rent that at least roughly matches your terrain. One major consideration to make right away is how many players your field is intended for. Larger fields can draw more players at a lower rate, and small or medium premium fields are intended for more challenging games at a higher rate. In your design, prepare for some standard scenario games like capture the flag or defenders versus attackers.

2. Make estimates and purchase materials. If you are going for a lot of wood or stone bunkers, add some foam padding to the corners to prevent injury. Heavy foam painted to match the rest of the structure prevents injury while maintaining the authentic combat feel that some players want. With complex builds made from heavy materials you can do much of the work yourself, but it is preferable to bring in a professional building general contractor to assist and direct your efforts. Opting for lightweight inflatable barriers has the upside that it can be easily set up alone. However, the inflation fans for these types of field implements have to be on at all times to keep the course going. They'll cost money whenever in use. Be sure to build a balance of points for sniping, bunkering up and cover to assault bunkers. During construction, be sure to round off corners and ensure there are no puncture wound hazards. For an outdoor woods field, this would mean pruning trees on the course and regular inspections.

3. After general construction is complete, touch up your design elements. Bring in decor items such as furniture for urban combat landscapes, benches and street signs. For a war reenactment, a mock tank, truck or downed aircraft will add some fantastic authenticity as well as make your field memorable enough to be talked about, drawing in more visitors. For more complicated themes, for example historical eras, consider bringing in a professional designer or period expert.

4. Chances are that as a paintball field builder, you know some potential players. Bring them out and give your field a shakedown run. Observe the game as it unfolds and watch for snags in the layout that cause difficulties in gameplay. Some examples of common pitfalls are uneven flooring for indoor fields and over- or under-lighting in relation to field obstacles. For example, a light right above a sniper nest would seriously hinder the game. Also watch for corners that people seem to be running into unusually often, and avoid tripping hazards in low-light areas. At the end of this shakedown game, ask for the players to critique your field and write down any problems

5. Depending on the number of snags you've found in the layout, you may need to bring back your construction contractor for a final renovation. At this stage, add the final accents to your game field as well as a rest area with men's and women's washrooms, equipment rental booth and even a snack bar. Adding these extra amenities are key to building a solid customer base and are considered essential parts of any professional paintball field. Optional but helpful are shower and locker rooms; at the very least you should have a change stall for people to suit up in.

Tags: your field, paintball field, fields with, historical eras, indoor fields, major consideration, urban combat

Airsoft Game Ideas

Airsoft Gun games are a great way to have fun, realistic war games without the expensive ammo, guns, CO2 canisters, painful welts and playing field rentals. Powered by compressed gas, hand-cocked springs or electric motors, airsoft guns fire small, 2-3mm plastic balls at muzzle velocities ranging from 220 feet per second (fps) to more than 500 fps. The following games complement the accuracy, range and firing speed of Airsoft guns and will work for several kinds of environments (e.g. wooded, house, urban, school yard, apartment).

Assassins

Write every player's name on a separate scrap of paper. Toss them in a hat. Shuffle. Have everyone draw a name, keeping it to themselves. If they draw their own name, then they throw their name back in and choose again. The name you draw is your target.

To "kill" someone, you have to shoot the person with no witnesses. Once you successfully kill someone, you adopt that person's target as your own.

Capture the Flag

Divide the group into two equal teams. Each team's "flag" is an upside-down plastic drinking cup set on top of a box. The goal is to shoot the opposing team's flag off the box. Unlike the unarmed version of "capture the flag," there are no "sides" or territories. Rather, anyone can be killed at any point on the entire field. Also, the flag can be hidden anywhere on the field, so long as it does not make the flag more difficult to knock off. For example, you can't bury the flag or wedge it between two rocks or hang it from a tree.

A Fistful of Dollars (or "Yojimbo" for Film Purists)

This game is designed for a group with an odd number of players. One player is selected to be the "traitor" and the rest of the group divides into two equal teams. Each team wears its own color of bandanna while the traitor wears no bandanna at all.

The goal of the game is simply to "kill" all of the opposing team's players. One shot kills, anywhere on the field. The game begins with the traitor sitting out. After the first player is killed, the traitor automatically replaces him on Team A. If he and Team A then kill a player on Team B, thus evening out the bandanna-wearing players, the traitor sits out again.

The general rule is that the traitor joins the team with the fewest players until either the teams equalize or the traitor himself gets shot. If the traitor gets shot, he can't come in until after another player (from either team) "dies."

(Inspiration: the Japanese film "Yojimbo," which was later adapted into "A Fistful of Dollars", is about a wandering warrior who cleans up a town overrun by bandits by turning both gangs against each other).

The Manchurian Candidate

This is a modification of "Capture The Flag." First, divide the group into two teams. Next, get a deck of cards and remove two queens. Put each queen card in a separate envelope. Then, get enough non-queen cards to account for the rest of the group and put each in its own envelope. For example, if there are 14 players total, you'll take two queens and 12 non-queens out. Finally, divide the envelopes into two equal groups, with one queen envelope per group. Mix up the envelopes and let each player pick one and stick it in his pocket without opening it.

Set up and begin the game just like "Capture The Flag." However, at some point during the game, either a referee, alarm clock or team captain can yell "Manchurian Candidate." This forces every player still alive to open his envelope for the first time. If he has the queen card, he automatically (and secretly) switches teams. So, if the person chosen to guard the team flag ends up having the queen, he could simply turn around and shoot the flag, ending the game.

To keep players honest, it helps if the game is played for money. For example, every player puts $1 in the "pot" before the game and the winning team gets the pot. If no one yells "Manchurian Candidate," then the pot goes to the original team members. If someone does yell it, then the pot goes to the original team members, minus its queen carrier, plus the queen carrier from the opposing team.

(Inspiration: In the film "The Manchurian Candidate," an American POW from the Korean War is brainwashed by Communists to become a sleeper assassin. The "trigger" that zaps him into the assassin trance is the queen of yearts playing card).

Silence of the Lambs

One player sits in a chair blindfolded and with a gun that shoots far. The rest of the players are unarmed and lined up across the field, roughly 60 meters away. When the chair player says "Go," the unarmed players move toward him (walk, run or crawl). When the chair player says "Stop." The unarmed players must freeze exactly where there are. If they fall over or take a step after "Stop," they are out. Also, at any time during the game, the chair player can shoot his gun. If he hits you, you're out. So, if an unarmed player runs, he will make more noise, becoming easy prey. But if the unarmed player gets close enough to tag the chair player, he wins. (Inspiration: the scene at the end of "Silence of The Lambs" where Buffalo Bill turns the lights off on Clarice).

Midnight Run

One player (unarmed) hides somewhere on the playing field while the rest of the players (armed) close their eyes and count to 50 or 100 or whatever you like. Once this is done, the armed players (let's call them "bounty hunters") spread out and try to find the unarmed player -- essentially a game of hide and seek. When a bounty hunter finds the unarmed player, he has to escort him back to a predetermined "base" zone to win. If the escorting bounty hunter gets shot by a competing bounty hunter, then he's "out" and the competing bounty hunter gets possession of the unarmed player, whom he can then escort back to the base zone to win. If the escorting bounty hunter shoots the competing bounty hunter instead, the competing bounty hunter is "out" and the escorting bounty hunter can go on his way. (Inspiration: the 1988 movie "Midnight Run," where a bounty hunter has to transport a fugitive mob accountant cross country while the FBI, mob goons and rival bounty hunters try to intercept him).

Tags: bounty hunter, unarmed player, chair player, competing bounty, competing bounty hunter, Manchurian Candidate

Sight A Gun Laser

A laser attached to a gun will shine a bright dot of light where the bullet will impact when the gun is fired. However, bullets fly in ballistic trajectories and laser light in projected in a straight line. Adjusting the straight line laser light to intersect the arcing bullet's point of impact is critical if the projected laser dot will be used to select the bullet's target point.

Instructions

Sighting a Gun with Laser Sights

1. Attach the laser sight to the unloaded gun. For pistols, the laser sight will attach in front of the trigger guard, while for long guns such as rifles and shotguns, the laser sight will usually attach under the barrel.

2. Place a paper target at the approximate distance you expect to engage an actual target using the laser sight. Precise placement of the paper target is not critical, and a good approximation of distance will suffice.

3. Secure the unloaded gun in a stable position on a shooting table or on the ground using sandbags. The gun must be in the correct orientation--that used when actually firing the gun--so as to assure proper alignment of the laser light with the bullet's flight path.

4. Sight along the iron sights or optical sights of the gun and adjust the gun position until the sights are properly aligned with the target. Without moving the gun, make adjustments of the attached laser sight to bring the laser light onto the target.

5. Secure the laser sight once the iron/optical sights of the gun and the laser light of the laser sight intersect on the target. Tighten any screws or nuts and make sure the laser sight does not move or wobble.

6. Load the gun and fire it from a supported position to ensure the bullet impacts at the point illuminated by the laser dot. Small, final adjustments may be required depending on how precisely the shooter wishes the bullet impact and laser illumination to coincide.

Tags: laser sight, laser light, laser sight will, optical sights, paper target, sight will, straight line

Make Cami Secrets

Great under suits and low-cut shirts, a camisole helps you cover up!

Cami Secrets are a fashionable way to cover up the decolletage when wearing low-cut tops and dresses. The concept is a take on the old-fashioned dickie, which is a portion of fabric that doesn't extend all the way under the shirt. You can mimic a camisole under your shirt by creating your own camisole dickie. You will create a pattern first so that you can make endless camisole dickies in any fabric and lace or ribbon combination you choose. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Create Your Pattern

1. Measure the distance from one bra strap to the other, as far up as you will want your camisole to display.

2. Draw a straight line using a ruler on a sheet of newspaper, measuring the same length as determined in Step 1.

3. Draw two straight lines down and on an angle approximately 10 inches from the ends of the first line you drew, creating a wedge shape with a gap of about 4 inches at the bottom. Connect the ends of the two lines.

4. Cut out your wedge-shaped pattern and place it on top of your fabric.

5. Cut your fabric following the outline of the pattern.

Add Trim and Fasteners

6. Sew or glue your lace along the top, longest edge of your camisole dickie. Trim any excess.

7. Sew or glue the lingerie guards (satin ribbon with snaps on each end) where the lace ends.

8. Place your finished camisole dickie on your chest and attach the ends to your bra straps with the satin snaps. Add your low-cut shirt and make any needed adjustments.

Tags: camisole dickie, your camisole, Cami Secrets, Draw straight, your camisole dickie

Insurance Needs Renting Recreational Toys

Personal watercrafts are fun but are typically not covered in either a standard homeowners or auto insurance policy.

When renting a recreational toy like a boat, jet ski, ATV or snowmobile, most people focus on the fun and not the risk they are exposed to in case of an accident. Without proper insurance, however, renting any of these toys can put your personal assets at risk financially for injuries and damages you caused and for property damage to or theft of the toy. Addressing these risks through insurance is essential to keep you protected while enjoying the toy.

Read the Contract

Read the rental contract to determine exactly what you are responsible for. Many contracts will ask for a security deposit to be placed at the time of signing the contract. Learn how those deposits are returned or lost. Before signing the contract, ask the rental company any questions regarding your contract. It's a good idea to fax a copy of the rental contract to your insurance agent for review to make sure you are covered or determine if additional insurance is required.

Check Current Insurance Policies

Some items, such as boats, may already be covered under your existing homeowners insurance policy. However, limitations may exist on the size of the motor or the length of the boat you are renting. Contact your insurance agent to locate those areas of your policy. If you will be transporting items on a trailer, check to see what coverage is available on those under your auto insurance.

Buy Coverage from Rental Establishment

The company renting out the recreational item will likely offer insurance you can purchase. Although such policies can help limit your risk, they may only offer minimal coverage. If you plan to purchase the insurance directly from the rental establishment, read the policy carefully prior to paying and accepting the terms. If the coverage seems minimal, for example only covering the damage caused to the vehicle and not to you personally, consider other options.

Umbrella Policy

The umbrella policy is a type of insurance policy that covers a wide range of items not covered under other types of insurance. An umbrella policy may provide the best source of coverage when renting recreational toys. Even though most umbrella policies have coverages for renting a wide range of recreational vehicles, you should still address limitations with your insurance agent. Make sure the item you plan on renting is specifically listed in the policy. If it is not, shop for a policy where the item is specified.

Tags: insurance agent, insurance policy, your insurance, your insurance agent, auto insurance, covered under

Find A Sponsor For A Paintball Team

Having professional, matching jerseys like this one will make you look organized and serious.

One of the main benefits of getting a sponsor for your paintball team is usually what everyone wants: free gear. Most sponsors will donate cash or equipment in order to give your team a substantial advantage. Attaining this privilege, though, takes some work - most companies won't let you use their name and money if they don't think you will adequately or properly represent them. There are steps you can take, though, to attract the eyes and wallets of possible sponsors.

Instructions

1. Draft and write a team resume. Include sections that detail the team's players and objectives, their expectations and their winning history (see Resource 1 for sample resume). Other information that would interest a potential advertiser should be included as well.

2. Order customized, matching jerseys for the team's players, and include a team photo with the resume. Have each player's last name and player number printed on the jersey.

3. Submit the resume and photo with a personalized cover letter, hand-signed, to local companies that you know support local sports teams.

4. Submit applications to paintball sponsorships through the websites of large paintball companies (see Resource 2 for list of companies). These big names usually have a dedicated department and application process for sponsorship, and they usually sponsor a large number of amateur teams.

5. Wait, follow up and be persistent. Make phone calls or send emails to the local companies a week or so after submitting your team's resume. Follow up through email with the larger companies to which you applied online.

6. Stipulate your team's desires to the companies who respond, addressing what your team can offer in terms of sponsorship, and what kind of equipment or support your team needs or wants. State these desires gently, and always leave room for the sponsor to adjust and give suggestions.

7. Follow the requirements and direction of companies who accept your application for sponsorship, and maintain or present the image they want of their company. This will maintain a good standing with the company, giving you a good reference to state when applying for more sponsorships.

Tags: your team, local companies, matching jerseys, photo with, team players, team resume

Castle Defending Games For Kids

As the name suggests, castle defending games belong to a genre where the main objective is to keep a strategic point like a castle safe from attack. While there are many games in this genre, the content sometimes makes them unsuitable for kids. While it is impossible to find a nonviolent game in this genre, some titles are more child friendly in the sense that they don't display blood, or they use cartoon imagery to make the violence less explicit.

Point & Shoot Games

With point and shoot castle defending games you direct control of the defenses of your castle. In games like "Crazy Castle," you buy your weapons before each round and then have to click on invading enemies to stop them before they reach your castle. You buy new weapons or upgrade your defense using the cash dropped by the fallen enemies. "Crazy Castle" has bright, colorful graphics and cartoon enemies like earthworms. The level of violence is low enough to make it suitable for kids.

Click & Drag Games

In this format, the player has to defend his base without weapons. Some, like "Defend Your Castle," have enemies that must be picked up and dropped to their death. A child friendly alternative is "Witch Castle Defence." Instead of killing enemies, you click on them and then drag them off the screen to remove them. You have to be quick as any enemies that reach the castle will start to tear it down. "Witch Castle Defence" has colorful visuals to make it more appealing to kids.

Tower Defense Games

Tower defense is the most common type of castle defending game. You have to buy and place special towers along the route that enemies will travel to reach your castle. The goal is to eliminate all the enemies before they can make it all the way along the path. "Castle Defense" uses tanks as invaders, so there is no blood or explicit violence.

Character Games

In these games you play as the single defender of a castle. In "Castle Defender" the character is a valiant knight armed with a bow and arrow. The invaders are all cartoon stereotypes. You use the up and down arrows to aim, and the space bar key to fire, so it's easy for children to play. It is violent, but there is no blood or gore; the enemies vanish as soon as they're shot.

Tags: castle defending, your castle, before they, Castle Defence, castle defending games

Airsofting Tips

Airsoft battles are mock warfare skirmishes using compressed air guns that fire small plastic BB rounds. These have become increasingly popular amongst paintball and historical battle re-enactment players as the guns allow for greater range and tactics. Cleanup is also easier than paintball battles. Here are a few key tips for an airsofter looking to survive in the trenches.

Safety first

Eye protection is paramount when airsofting. Establish a common phrase such as "Blind Man!" or "Weapons Down!" to let people know that someone on the field has lost their goggles. Only sound the all-clear and resume combat when it is certain that everyone is protected. Stay hydrated, as camouflage combined with strenuous activity on a hot day can become more dangerous than enemy fire. Remember that airsoft skirmishes are mock battles and, while the adrenaline rush may be real, don't get into physical fights over a game. Keeping your cool is important to both winning the game and ensuring that people will be looking forward to the next match.

Keep your head down

The smaller the target you present to your opponents, the greater the likelihood of you escaping unscathed. When peering around obstacles, always look to the sides and not over, as enemy snipers are likely to have their sights trained on the tops of any boxes, barrels or other barriers. By the same token, if you stay close to the ground or prone in the weeds, you may be able to catch an opponent unaware and with your gun steadied from contact with the ground. Sniping and cover fire are both very important tactics to utilize. If you can pin your opponent down in an unsecured location, victory is nearly assured.

Be well-equipped

Purchasing an airsoft rifle is an investment, and you should ensure that you not only have the best weapon for your activity, but also that you keep it clean and well-maintained. There's an old military maxim that the only person a damaged weapon will kill is its wielder. If your weapon has a strong burst or automatic mode, make sure your clip can handle the additional rounds that will be needed to complete the mission. Charge your battery before each session if possible and check the barrel for obstructions such as dirt or jammed BBs. Using competition-grade BBs will cut down on weapon jams and misfires, which are a leading cause of losses. If allowed, you might want to consider grenades or claymores in addition to your rifle, as they can tip the odds in your team's favor.

Tags: that only

Disassemble A Spyder Victor

Although the Spyder Victor is Kingman's low-end, basic paintball gun, it is the opinion of some avid paintball fans that it holds its own compared to similar guns on the market. The gun is not very fast, accurate or reliable, but many paintball players consider the Victor inexpensive, easy to use and upgradable. Like all paintball guns, it needs disassembly for cleaning, repair or upgrade. Taking apart the paintball gun is quick and easy.

Instructions

1. Lift up on the cocking knob to allow the Delrin bolt to slide out of the rear of the receiver.

2. Hold the striker plug in place with one hand and remove the quick disconnect pin from the side of the paintball gun with the other hand, allowing removal of the striker plug. Ensure that the paintball gun is in the uncocked position before attempting to remove the quick disconnect pin.

3. Remove the internal parts of the gun, consisting of the velocity adjuster, striker spring, striker buffer and striker bolt from the back of the receiver, completing the disassembly of a spider Victor. After cleaning, reassemble the gun in reverse of the way you took it apart.

Tags: quick disconnect, remove quick, remove quick disconnect, Spyder Victor, striker plug

Use Regular Gun Oil On Your Muzzleloader

Whether a muzzle loading rifle was owned by Daniel Boone or is the newest edition of the "modern" muzzle loading rifle doesn't matter. When the shooting is over, the rifle will need to be cleaned and oiled to ensure it remains as pristine as when Daniel picked it up from the gunsmith or you purchased yours at a gun shop.

Instructions

Cleaning First

1. Read the instructions which came with the rifle if available. They will detail how best to clean and lubricate the firearm. Most will also suggest using cleaning products and oil which they manufacture or license. Those are likely to be good products, but you can do just as good a job using dish soap, regular gun oil and a few household items.

2. Disassemble the rifle using the appropriate (often furnished) tools in the correct sizes. Most models have a detachable barrel, trigger assembly and firing mechanism (bolt action, hammer and nipple or flint and firing pan).

3. Fill a small bucket with extremely hot water. Water straight from the hot water tap is okay, but heating it just short of boiling is better. Add a healthy squirt of dishwashing liquid.

4. Drop all the parts except the barrel of the gun into the hot water. Let them soak for a minute, not so much to soak off any powder residue, but to allow the metal to heat to the temperature of the water.

5. Remove hot parts from water, scrub clean using a toothbrush, then set aside to dry. The moisture residue on the hot metal will quickly dry.

6. Attach the cleaning jag to the gun's ramrod and affix a 2-inch square flannel patch to the cleaning jag. Patches can be purchased or cut out of old shirts or bolts of flannel cloth.

7. Wet the patch with hot, soapy water and run it up and down the interior of the barrel until it's thoroughly wet and warm.

8. Affix the appropriately sized bore brush to the ramrod and scrub the interior of the barrel.

9. Switch back to the flannel patches and swab out the barrel, switching out dirty patches with clean ones until the barrel is clean and dry.

Oiling

10. Apply a gun oil to a flannel patch or larger flannel cloth.

11. Apply a few drops of oil to each metal part which should now be moisture-free. Rub with oily cloth to remove any excess, but still leave a thin, oily film on the metal.

12. Drip several drops of oil inside the barrel then swab out with an oiled patch attached to the cleaning jag until the interior is coated with a thin, oily film.

13. Oil the outside of the barrel by wiping it with an oily cloth.

14. Reassemble the rifle. It's ready to store with all metal parts clean and protected by the thin film of oil.

Tags: flannel cloth, flannel patch, from water, interior barrel, loading rifle

Get A Rugby Team Sponsored

Funds can be used for crucial equipment, such as rugby balls.

Rugby teams survive and thrive on sponsorship money. Teams use these vital funds to buy uniforms, training materials and game-day equipment, rent playing fields and pay referees, among other uses. Before searching for a sponsor for your rugby team, decide what you will spend the money on, such as game-day uniforms. Also identify what exposure the sponsorship will provide a company, such as having its name and logo on the team's jerseys.

Instructions

1. Determine what you can offer in return for sponsorship. In writing a proposal to prospective sponsors, you need to offer the sponsor a clear return on its investment. For example, if sponsorship funds will pay for new team uniforms, you can offer to display the sponsor's name and logo across the front of the jersey and on the leg of the shorts.

2. List local, regional and national companies that you believe may be interested in sponsoring your rugby team's uniform. Draw up a list of sports shops, particularly those that stock rugby equipment, and local companies based in your rugby team's home town or city. If your rugby team is associated with a college, consider contacting alumni of the college asking for sponsorship from the companies for which they work.

3. Draft a stock letter that you will send to companies asking for sponsorship. Personalize each letter with the company name and the name of the person you are contacting. Emphasize exactly what you offer in exchange for the sponsorship and include your full contact details. Inform potential sponsors of the impact of their sponsorship, such as how many spectators are at your games and any media coverage your team receives.

4. Print the personalized letters, sign them, put them into envelopes and mail them.

5. Wait two weeks before contacting every prospective sponsor on your list with a polite telephone call asking if they received your letter.

Tags: rugby team, your rugby, your rugby team, asking sponsorship, name logo

Make A Good Shield For Airsoft Gun Wars

You can make a shield to protect yourself in airsoft gun wars. You will need a sheet of 1-inch-thick cardboard, at least 4 feet wide and 5 feet high, and a few hardware supplies. Adult supervision is required because cutting edges will be used. Your airsoft shield will help you to achieve victory over those who would seek to "kill" you.

Instructions

1. Lay the drop cloth on the floor, then lay your cardboard on it. If your cardbaord is larger than 4 feet by 5 feet, cut it to those dimensions, or whatever size best suits your height.

2. Shake a can of black spray paint. Spray the cardboard from top to bottom. Let the paint dry overnight.

3. Turn the cardboard over. Shake the other can of black spray paint. Spray the cardboard from top to bottom. Let the paint dry overnight.

4. Measure down 10 inches from the upper left corner of the cardboard. Make a dot at the 10-inch mark with the pencil. Measure 3 inches in from the dot. Make a dot with the pencil at the 3-inch mark. Repeat this entire procedure starting at the upper right corner of the cardboard.

5. Draw a straight line from the dot on the left side of the cardboard to the dot on the right side of the cardboard.

6. Measure down 4 inches from the dot on the left side of the cardboard. Measure down 4 inches from the dot on the right side of the cardboard. Draw a straight line from the dot on the left to the dot on the right.

7. Draw a vertical line between the two dots on the left side of the cardboard. Draw a vertical line between the two dots on the right side of the cardboard.

8. Cut out the resulting rectangle with the utility knife.

9. Put the acrylic plastic sheet on the drop cloth. Put the rectangle of cardboard on the acrylic plastic sheet. Trace around the cardboard on the acrylic plastic sheet with the tip of the utility knife. Remove the rectangle of cardboard.

10. Cut out the rectangle on the acrylic plastic sheet with the utility knife. Discard the rest of the cardboard.

11. Apply bonding glue to the corners of the acrylic plastic sheet. Place the acrylic plastic sheet, bonding glue side down, on the rectangle cut-out of the cardboard. Press the acrylic plastic sheet onto the cardboard. Let the bonding glue set for a day.

12. Measure down 5 inches from the bottom left and right corners of the acrylic plastic sheet. Make a 1-inch wide vertical slit through the cardboard at the 5-inch marks with the blade of the utility knife.

13. Put the end of the belt through the slit in the left side of the cardboard. Loop the end of the belt around the front of the cardboard. Push the end of the belt in through the slit in the right side of the cardboard. Put the hole in the end of the belt through the locking pin in the belt buckle.

14. Pick up your airsoft shield by the belt buckle. Hold the airsoft shield in front of you. Advance on the enemy as the projectiles from their weapons bounce off your shield.

Tags: acrylic plastic, acrylic plastic sheet, plastic sheet, side cardboard, inches from, down inches, down inches from

Fun Ideas For Birthdays In Minneapolis

Channel the inner hunter with a day out paintballing

Planning a birthday party in Minneapolis, whether for kids or adults, can be daunting when taking into account budget and personal preferences of the participants. (There's always one who doesn't even like birthday cake). However, the city offers a wide variety of birthday party options. Minneapolis offers outdoor recreation with its 24 lakes for canoeing and ice skating in the winter, but for year-round entertainment, specialist event companies can supply you with bouncy castles or professional wrestlers to make the birthday a special day. Does this Spark an idea?

Splatball

The Splatball indoor paintball arena offers birthday party group rates for kids ages 10 to 17 along with group paintball sessions for adults. The minimum group size is eight people; this allows the birthday group to fight each other or share a field with another group of eight strangers for a bigger, messier battle. If you have the space, and 20 people or more to play, Splatball can also bring the equipment to you, along with catered food for the birthday group.

Splatball, Inc.

2412 University Ave. SE

Minneapolis, MN 55414

612-378-0385

splatball.com

Wrestling Parties

A kids' wrestling party can be organized for a "slamming" birthday party. Run by a professional wrestler, Lenny Lane, Wrestling Parties' "Top Rope Package" offers wrestling for the kids in a real ring, wrestling move tips, t-shirts, cake and invitations. The company will also take pictures and post them online for the kids to look at after the party. Just remember not to feed them before they get in the ring.

Wrestling Parties

1200 Mendelssohn Ave N.

Minneapolis, MN 55427

612-834-0769

wrestlingparties.com

Magic Bounce

If you have the space, you can rent bouncy castles, inflatable water slides, inflatable sumo wrestling suits, cotton candy machines, mechanical bulls, bungee runs and more from Magic Bounce. If you have lots of space and enough money, you can get them all and create a birthday carnival for children or adults who like acting like children for a day. Delivery is free to Minneapolis.

Magic Bounce Moonwalk and Party Rentals

826 77th St. W

Lino Lakes, MN 55014

763-783-2958

magicbounce.com

A Party Crasher

For themed birthday parties, A Party Crasher will send pirates, princesses or super-heroes to get the kids' party started. The scurvy pirate, for example, will teach the kids bad pirate manners, paint their faces and organize pirate games which hopefully will not involve lining up the clean and tidy kids to walk the plank into the swimming pool. A Party Crasher is also available for grown-ups who want to embarrass the birthday boy or girl by having a celebrity impersonator or other character lead the birthday songs and make them the red-faced center of attention.

A Party Crasher

2657 Grand St., NE

Minneapolis, MN 55418

612-789-6666

apartycrasher.biz

Tags: birthday party, Party Crasher, Magic Bounce, Wrestling Parties, along with, birthday group, Bounce have

What Is The 577 Trex Rifle

The .577 T-Rex is more than capable of stopping a rhinocerous.

Big bullets and lots of propellant translates into substantial stopping power, and that is the raison d'etre for the .577 T-Rex. This rifle fires one of the biggest and most powerful rounds around, and is easily capable of stopping some of the biggest animals on the planet. It isn't hard to imagine the rifle stopping a truck, if it came down to it. Even so, the power of the .577 T-Rex does come with certain drawbacks.

Identification

The .577 Tyrannosaurus Rex (or .577 T-Rex) is a gun made by A-Square, a small firearms manufacturing company that specializes in big-game rifles, or "elephant guns." Basically, it fires a big bullet at high velocity for the express purpose of stopping the largest animals on the planet. The .577 T-Rex is a bolt-action rifle, meaning the bolt must be worked between each firing to chamber a fresh round. It weighs 13.6 pounds.

Misconceptions

It is often believed that T-Rex is the most powerful rifle in the world, because the .577 round fired by the T-Rex is bigger than the .50 round used by the U.S. military's heavy machine guns and its heaviest sniper rifle. In fact, rifles firing rounds as big or bigger have been around since the 1930s. The Soviets fielded an anti-tank rifle, the PTRS-41, that fired a 14.5 mm round that was slightly smaller. However, some versions of the ammunition packed more power. The 14.5 mm round continues to be used in Russian high-powered sniper rifles today. Even bigger were the anti-tank rifles of the 1930s and 1940s that fired 20 mm/.79 caliber rounds, and 20 mm sniper rifles are also made today. However, in terms of hunting arms, the .577 T-Rex is the biggest and most powerful commercially made gun available.

Benefits

A .577 round produces between 10,000 and 11,000 foot pounds of energy, a truly staggering wallop. That is seven times more energy than the 5.56 mm round fired by the U.S. military's standard rifle, the M-16. A shot from a .577 T-Rex rifle is very capable of stopping a rhinoceros or an elephant in its tracks.

Considerations

While the bullet from the .577 T-Rex rifle is extremely powerful, it is also very inaccurate. The gun was meant to be used almost as a last resort against very large, charging animals at short or short-to-medium range. Accuratereloading.com did a test with a selection of .577 rounds, and their shots fell into an area eight inches across. Other big-caliber elephant guns placed their shots into a three-inch wide area or an even smaller spacing.

The gun also has a wicked kick, as one might expect from a such a light rifle firing such a huge round. By contrast, the NTW 14.5 mm sniper rifle weighs 35 lbs., and that extra weight translates into less kick.

Potential

The .577 T-Rex is a just-in-case gun. It is not the kind of rifle one carries into the Kalahari or the Yukon to hunt big game, because the gun is too inaccurate for use at range. Instead, this is a gun carried as a hedge against being surprised by an aggressive big game animal at close range. Given that the gun is essentially a backup weapon, that means in practice a hunter would carry their actual hunting arm and the heavy .577 T-Rex, as well. While it is easy to see a safari or group hunting expedition bringing along one .577 T-Rex, few individual hunters would have much use for one.

Tags: capable stopping, most powerful, animals planet, biggest most, biggest most powerful, elephant guns

Sport Summer Camps In Florida

Summer basketball camps abound in Florida.

Summer sports camps expose children to structure during the carefree summer months and keep them physically active when they're away from school. According to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, sports participation during youth sets the tone for a healthy adulthood, and summer sports camps encourage teamwork. The state of Florida has a rich sports history, with professional football, baseball, basketball and hockey teams along with several successful college athletic programs. With so many sports teams, there's bound to be a sports camp perfect for your youngster in Florida this summer.

Billy Donovan Basketball Camps

The University of Florida men's basketball program, led by national-championship-winning head coach Billy Donovan, offers summer camps suitable for a variety of age ranges and skill levels. Individual camps run for three days in June and July, and boys ages 10 to 18 can choose to stay overnight in a University of Florida dormitory for the duration of the camp. There is also a Little Gator camp available for boys ages 8 and 9. Campers will participate in individual, team and league competitions, listen to guest speakers like Billy Donovan and current and former Florida basketball players and have access to certified trainers. In 2010, the cost of the camp for an overnight camper was $425, which included the camp, accommodations and three all-you-can-eat meals a day. Day campers paid $360 for the camp and meals in 2010.

Billy Donovan Basketball Camps

P.O. Box 14485

Gainesville, FL 32604

352-375-4683

gatorzone.com

Mike Alstott Football Camp

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer fullback Mike Alstott offers a football camp in Tampa in late June. In its 14th year in 2010, the Mike Alstott Football Camp runs for three days and welcomes campers ages 7 to 14. The camp runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and exposes campers to football fundamentals, form and technique. Instructors group campers according to their age so that they work with athletes at a similar experience level. The final day of camp features a seven-on-seven competition, allowing campers to showcase the skills they have learned. In 2010, the camp cost $175 and included lunch, nutritious snacks and sports drinks.

Mike Alstott Football Camp

3901 George Road

Tampa, FL 33634

alstottcamp.com

University of Central Florida Youth Cheerleading Camp

The University of Central Florida, located in Orlando, offers an annual three-day cheer leading camp in July. Led by UCF cheerleaders and staff, the camp welcomes participants from first grade through ninth grade. It teaches the basics of cheer leading, including cheers, stunts and tumbling. In 2010, the camp cost $145 and included lunch, a team picture, a UCF cheer leading poster, daily awards and camp T-shirt.

UCF Youth Cheer Camp

P.O. Box 163555

Orlando, FL 32816

407-823-4123

justsportscamps.com

Tags: Billy Donovan, Mike Alstott, Alstott Football, Alstott Football Camp, cheer leading

Make An Antifog Lens Cleaner

Make your own anti-fog lens cleaner for your glasses.

If you wear glasses and are involved in any type of sports, you have likely encountered problems with your glasses fogging up. There's nothing more frustrating than struggling with your glasses when you're trying to focus on a competitive sport, whether it's horseback riding, skiing, motocross or running. There are numerous commercial anti-fog lens cleaners available that work to varying degrees. If you are an avid sportsperson that wears glasses, you'll go through anti-fog lens cleaner so quickly that you're better off learning to make your own so that you can keep a large supply on hand.

Instructions

1. Mix 1 qt. water, 4 oz. rubbing alcohol, 1/4 tsp. liquid dish washing soap and 1 oz. sudsy ammonia in a spray bottle.

2. Spray your glasses thoroughly with your homemade anti-fog lens cleaner on both sides of the lenses.

3. Use a lint-free cloth to wipe off the anti-fog lens cleaner.

4. Reapply to your glasses throughout the day as necessary.

Tags: anti-fog lens, your glasses, anti-fog lens cleaner, with your, lens cleaner, lens cleaner

Auto Paint Removal Instructions

When it comes to cars, paint removal isn't something that is thought about much. There are several ways to remove paint from a car's surface, but only a few should be attempted by non-professionals. Some paint removal methods can damage the metal surface of the car if not performed correctly.

Removing Paint by Sanding

To sand away old paint, primer and body filler, use a dual action sander. A dual action sander combines orbital and random motions at once, so paint is quickly and completely removed in a short amount of time. The sander is gentle on the metal surface and won't cause gouges or deep scratches. An air compressor with at least five horsepower is also recommended. Make sure to wear a dust mask while sanding, since the sander will cause dust to fly around the area.

Use 36 grit sandpaper with adhesive backing on the dual action sander. Use the sander against the surface of the car to quickly remove all paint and primer. Don't put the sander on any chrome, plastic or glass areas because the rough grit of the sandpaper will cause damage to those surfaces.

A dual action sander can be used on any type of metal surface, even soft aluminum.

Removing Paint with Chemicals

Chemical paint removal is less labor intensive than sanding, but can be dangerous because of the chemicals and fumes involved. Before applying the paint stripper, park the car on a flat surface with a large tarp underneath it. This tarp can catch the stripper and the old paint that comes off of the car. You can roll the tarp up and dispose of it properly.

Begin by using a paint brush to apply the paint stipper to the car's surface. The car may need a few coats of the stripper applied to remove all of the paint. You will need at least four or five gallons of paint stripper.

Allow the stripper to sit on the car for one hour and then begin to scrap the paint away using a plastic paint scraper. The paint should come off quickly and easily. Once the paint has been removed, rinse the car with cool water to remove any remaining chemicals from the surface.

After Paint Removal

Once you have removed all of the paint from the surface of the car, the bare metal is left exposed and vulnerable to rust damage. Rust can adhere to a car's surface in less than 24 hours in some climates. You must take a few steps to prevent any rust from forming, or risk damaging any future paint jobs on the car.

Wipe the car down with a metal conditioner and microfiber towel. Metal prep is available at any hardware or auto paint store. Wipe the metal with the metal prep, rinse with cool water and allow it to dry. Spray a coat of primer to the car's surface to seal it and keep rust out. This primer can be easily sanded away once you are ready to paint the car at a later time.

Tags: action sander, dual action, dual action sander, from surface, metal surface, remove paint, cool water

Family Activities In Polk County Florida

Fishing is available at many of Polk County's public parks.

Each year millions of people flock to Central Florida's Polk County for their beautiful lakes and parks, historic landmarks and family friendly entertainment. Located less than an hour from Orlando, FL, Polk County offers a variety of family fun activities both indoors and out. Tourism is a strong economical force in Polk County, and with so many great things to do, its no wonder why.

Outdoor Activities

Plan a visit to one of Polk County's 60 park and recreational facilities (polk-county.net). Visit a park and spend the day fishing, boating, or hiking. Florida residents can purchase a year long fishing license for $17. Non residents are charged $47. Licenses can be purchased online or at the county tax collector's office. If fishing's not your sport, challenge the kids to a game of tennis and have a picnic at one of their picnic shelters. Camping is available at four of Polk County's parks, so pack a tent or rent a cabin and spend a night under the stars.

Indoor Activities

Spend the day indoors. If the weather isn't cooperating you can still find fun family activities in Polk County. Take the family to a movie or catch a show at the theatre. There are five movie theaters located in the county and three performing arts theaters. Also, make sure to visit the Polk County Historical Museum (no website; 100 East Main Street, Bartow; 863-534-4386), located in the old Polk County Courthouse. The museum offers special events and educational programs for the whole family and admission is free. The Polk County libraries (mypclc.org/libraries) also offer different family events each month. If shopping is more your style, you won't be disappointed with Polk County's antique shops and Lakeside Village (shoplakesidevillage.net) shopping plaza.

Theme Attractions

Visit theme parks located within Polk County, FL. Bok Tower Gardens (boktowergardens.org), Polk County's historic botanical gardens is located right inside of Polk County and cost $10 per person. Also, Fantasy of Flight (fantasyofflight.com) and Sun 'N Fun Fly-In are engaging attractions to keep the family busy on a warm Florida day.

Things to Do Nearby

Visit some of Florida's famous attractions all located within one hour of Polk County. Walt Disney World Resorts (disneyworld.disney.go.com), Universal Studios (universalorlando.com), SeaWorld (seaworld.com/orlando), and Busch Gardens (buschgardens.com) are all less than a 45 minute drive from Polk County, FL. Plan to only visit one to two of these nearby venues in a day so that you have time to enjoy and see everything the parks have to offer.

Tags: Polk County, family activities, less than, located within, visit Polk

Christian Overnight Summer Camps In North Carolina

Rock climbing is one of many fun activities available at summer camp.

Christian camps aim to combine fun activities with opportunities for spiritual growth, and each camp has something different to offer.Christian camps in North Carolina offer a wide variety of activities thanks to the rivers and mountains that make up the land. Whether a parent is looking for a strong spiritual focus, plenty of sports options, co-ed camps or a place where boys can just be boys, there is a Christian camp for every child in North Carolina.

The Wilds

Since 1969, the Wilds has been offering fun and adventure in a Christian environment to campers each summer. Currently the camp offers family weeks, senior trip camps in the spring, teen camps for both individual campers and entire youth groups, as well as weekend camps with various themes. More than 800 acres of property at the Wilds mean that there is room for enough activities to keep campers busy. Rock climbing, boating, canoeing, waterslides and zip lines are just a few of the choices campers have. Group activities include Frisbee golf, water wars, human foosball, gazeeball and sand volleyball. Campers are expected to dress modestly, in shorts that reach the knee for both boys and girls. Every night, all the campers gather together for a church service that includes music, preaching and prayer. Each cabin of eight campers and a counselor also gathers together each night for a time of prayer, and every morning campers are given thirty minutes of quiet time to study the Bible, pray or journal about their spiritual journey.

The Wilds

1000 Wilds Ridge Road

Brevard, North Carolina 28712

864-268-4760

wilds.org

The Vineyard

The Vineyard is a Christian camp made up of a staff of both Protestant and Catholic denominations, aiming to reach campers with God's love. The Vineyard offers a full summer schedule, and campers are welcome to attend the entire summer or just one of the thirteen sessions. Each week, campers celebrate a different country's culture and holidays, and each week has a new special activity, theme day and a sport of the week. The camp has a staff-to-counselor ratio of 2 staff members to every 3 campers, ensuring that kids are safe and cared for during the entire experience. The camp is heavily focused on sports with plenty of tennis courts, a large pool, a zipline, paintball course and much more. Nightly Vespers services are required for all campers, but the following Bible study time is optional. This camp is open to children ages 6 to 18 years old.

The Vineyard Camp and Conference Center

1945 Vineyard Road

Westfield, NC 27053

336-351-2070

vineyardcamp.com

Ridgecrest Camps

Ridgecrest Camps is made up of two separate camps, one for boys and another for girls. The boys attend Ridgecrest, which was founded in 1929, and the girls attend Crestridge, which began in the 1960s. Campers participate in group devotion times, worship services, quiet times and special campfire gatherings. Campers are broken down into tribal groups based on their ages. Each tribe participates in age-appropriate activities both at the facility and by taking field trips. Children also come together for large all-camp activities, such as a huge group soccer game or a Ridgecrest specialty called Sock Wars. Ridgecrest also offers a ropes course, two gymnasiums, a baseball field, hiking trails and indoor and outdoor rock climbing. This camp is open to children from ages seven until they have completed the tenth grade. Campers can attend anywhere from two to eight weeks of the summer.

Ridgecrest Summer Camps

PO Box 279

Ridgecrest, NC 28770

828-669-8051

ridgecrestcamps.com

Tags: North Carolina, camp open, camp open children, Camps Ridgecrest, Christian camp

About Fully Automatic Paintball Guns

Fully automatic paintball guns give you a strategic advantage.

Fully automatic paintball guns are just one of the latest and greatest things to happen to the sport of paintball. These guns allow you to sustain a high level of fire and gain a competitive edge over your opponent. Many manufacturers make fully automatic paintball guns, and they are available in a wide range of prices and designs.

What is a Fully Automatic Paintball Gun?

Fully automatic paintball guns allow the user to shoot continuously without having to pull the trigger for each shot. These guns usually allow the user to switch between semi-automatic, three-shot burst and fully automatic modes. Depending on the gun and accessories, fully automatic paintball guns can attain fire rates of more than 15 balls per second.

Advantages

These high-tech paintball guns offer the user many advantages on the paintball field. The biggest advantage is that you can lay consistent fire on your opponent, pinning them down. These guns also allow you to fire a quick round of shots if there is limited time to shoot your opponent.

Disadvantages

While these paintball guns may shoot fast, they also go through paintballs and your air source quickly. This can become expensive and burdensome since the user will have to constantly refill the paintball gun's hopper. Fully automatic modes are also banned at many public fields and tournament settings.

Accessories

Using fully automatic paintball guns usually requires that you purchase a high-speed hopper and paintball pod packs. High-speed hoppers use forced feeding so you can sustain a high rate of fire. Paintball pods hold between 100 and 200 paintballs. Once you use all your paintballs in the hopper, you can quickly use these to refill and continue the game.

Choose a Fully Automatic Paintball Gun

Choosing a fully automatic paintball gun can be a difficult task. There are many different brands and models on the market. They also come in a wide range of prices. When making a purchase, choose one that fits your price range. Also, if you plan on playing at public fields or tournaments, consider purchasing a paintball gun which allows you to disable the fully automatic mode. This is an important feature if you only have one paintball gun, since public fields and tournaments typically do not allow the use of automatic fire.

Tags: automatic paintball, paintball guns, automatic paintball guns, automatic paintball guns, fully automatic

What Type Of Paint Is Used In Paintball

Paintball is a sport of growing popularity. It's a great way to get some exercise while spending time with friends. Some companies have even started using paintball as a team-building exercise. Many newbies to the sport have one important question: Just what, exactly, am I splattering all over myself and my friends?

It's Not Really Paint

At least, it's not the paint we put on our houses, cars and canvases. Paint is usually a coloring agent suspended in some sort of glue or resin, which sticks the color to a surface. Those glues and resins (and sometimes the agents) often carry toxic or polluting chemicals--the last thing we want to be spraying around in the woods or on the field.

The Skin

A paintball is like a grape: a thin outer coating filled with juice. This coating is made of biodegradable gelatin, much like the outer coating of a gel capsule pill.

The Juice

The filling for a paintball is a mixture of liquid and coloring agent. The liquid is usually a nontoxic oil like vegetable oil or cod liver oil. Most of the time, the coloring agent is simple food dye.

Premium Dyes

Some folks like to use glow-in-the-dark dyes, scented dyes or other fancy dyes. Though they aren't food coloring, manufacturers take care to make sure these fillings are no more harmful than the regular colored dyes.

Dealing With Stains

Most paintball filling will wash out with your regular laundry, though some residue might be visible on highly contrasting shirts (such as yellow paint on black clothes or red paint on white).

Tags: coloring agent, outer coating

Activities For Kids In And Around Hickory Hills Illinois

Spend the day at one of the area water parks.

Hickory Hills, Illinois is a bustling community with a small-town feel, but it's located less than 30 minutes from Chicago. As its name suggests, towering hickory trees and rolling green hills surround the area. While there are a small number of entertaining and educational activities for kids right in Hickory Hills, there are even more opportunities to have fun in the outlying areas around the small city.

Museums and Educational Attractions

If you have curious children who like to explore everything around them, look no further than the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn (cmoaklawn.org), which is in the city of Oak Lawn about 10 minutes from Hickory Hills. Here, your kids can whip up tasty treats in the Moo Cafe, steal the show in the Dream Theatre, pretend to work in a grocery store, climb through the tree house, become a hero at the fire station and get creative in the art corner. About 30 minutes from Hickory Hills in Chicago is the Museum of Science and Industry (msichicago.org). Your children will become immersed in the world of weather as they learn about natural disasters like tornadoes and avalanches. They'll also get to dissect owl pellets and participate in hands-on science experiments. Also in Chicago is the Field Museum (fieldmuseum.org), which is a trip back to the past. In addition to exhibits that showcase the history of the world, your children can do science experiments in the PlayLab, listen to stories and do art projects.

Amusement and Water Attractions

If it's pure entertainment you're seeking, Fun Time Square Family Center (funtimesquare.com) is a thrilling option -- and it's only about 15 minutes away in Alsip. Here, your children can play a competitive game of paintball, challenge each other on the miniature golf course, take a spin in the go-karts, bump around in the bumper boats and play arcade games. Children who adore swimming and splashing will enjoy the Mayan Adventure Indoor Waterpark (mayanwaterparkchicago.com) in Chicago. At the park, the kids can zip down water slides, enjoy the play structure that's in the middle of a pool, plunge into the deeper water and ride along the lazy river. About a half hour away from Hickory Hills in Wheaton is Kids Town (kidstownplayandparty.com), which is exactly as it sounds. It's a kid-sized town set up for pretend play. Your children can fight fires, put on a badge and become sheriff of the town, care for animals at the pet clinic, have tea at the princess palace and shop at the corner grocery store.

Outdoor Venues

Pack a picnic and spend an afternoon at one of the many parks (hhparkdistrict.org) in Hickory Hills. Most of the parks, such as Krueger Park and Memorial Park, have play structures and picnic areas. At the Children's Farm (thecenterpalos.org), which is about 15 minutes away in Palos Park, your children will get a taste of what it's like to be a farmer. The farmers will take the kids on a tour of the farm where they'll get to see a variety of barnyard animals including pigs, goats and chickens. Seasonal activities at the farm include hayrides, pumpkin picking and live reenactments of the nativity. About 30 minutes away in Chicago is the Lincoln Park Zoo (lpzoo.org), an outdoor zoo that houses hundreds of intriguing animals including birds, reptiles, lions, bears, giraffes, camels, monkeys, hyenas and deer. Take your children on the zoo train, too.

Additional Activities

Right inside Hickory Hills is PGN Fun (hickoryhillsresortinfo.com), a place that has entertainment for children of all ages. Play a round of miniature golf, challenge each other to skill games in the arcade, go down curly slides and explore the many hideaways and towers. The UP Comedy Club (upcomedyclub.com) in Chicago, about 30 minutes away, features kid and teen-friendly comedy shows that are likely to cause peals of laughter and uncontrollable giggling. The club serves lunch and dinner during some of its shows, too. Also about a half hour away in Chicago is the Navy Pier (navypier.com), which is situated on Lake Michigan. While at the pier, your children can enjoy thrilling amusement park rides, play in the park and stop for a snack at one of the many kid-friendly food stands and restaurants.

Tags: Hickory Hills, minutes away, your children, about minutes, about minutes away, from Hickory

Paintball Trigger Speed Games

Paintball Trigger Speed Games

Paintball trigger speed games are free arcade games online that allow you to test the speed of your fingers by clicking your mouse. The game has a picture of a paintball gun, which fires every time you left click your mouse. The game tracks how fast you are shooting by balls per second. It's a lot of fun challenging your friends to who can shoot faster or just trying to beat your own record.

PBVids.com Trigger Pull Game

The PBVids.com trigger pull game is powered by Sothink, a flash animation maker. This game is the best one that I have found online because it offers three guns to choose from: the Angel, the Dynasty Shocker and the Intimidator. Each gun sounds like the actual gun would during real-life game play. The game keeps track in balls per second and shows your highest rate of fire, your last rate of fire for the previous second and how many you are getting at that second.

Brad D's Trigger Pull Game

This game uses a gun known as the DM9 made by DYE. The DM9 in this version sounds very similar to its real-life counterpart. The game also keeps track in balls per second fired and displays your most balls per second, your ball per second of your last second and what your ball per second is at that second. My favorite part about this game is that the creator took the time out to write a very useful hint for the users that I didn't see on the other games. The hint is to use both your pointer and your middle finger in alternating strokes. All paintball players would understand this, but anyone not familiar with paintball would have a tough time getting a high score in this game without that hint.

13Holes.com Trigger Pull Game

13holes.com trigger pull game uses an eclipse auto-cocker as the display gun and the sound is somewhat realistic. This game comes with two game modes. The first is trying to fire as many balls as possible in one second. The second is seeing how many balls you can fire in 10 seconds. Both versions display your highest balls per second and have a live count of how fast you are shooting. This game is rather plain and not very appealing to the eye, but it does get the job done.

Tags: balls second, Pull Game, This game, ball second, fast shooting

Moon Roof Vs Sun Roof

The terms "sunroof" and "moonroof" are often used interchangeably, even if the former term is a lot more popular. However, there are a few distinctions between them to note.

Sunroof Definition

A sunroof is a sort of panel, traditionally made of metal, placed on the car roof that can slide open to let sunshine and fresh air into the passenger compartment. Sunroofs are defined as opaque.

Moonroof Definition

A moonroof differs from a sunroof in that the panel is made of glass. The term was coined in 1973.

Other Differences

A sunroof can be manual or electric-powered. However, virtually all moonroofs are electronic.

"Sunroof" Favored Over "Moonroof"

Today, the term "sunroof" is used a lot more often than "moonroof." It applies to opaque and glass designs, either manual or electronic.

Similarities

Ultimately, despite the differences, sunroofs and moonroofs have one thing in common: they both open to let light and air into the car.

Tags:

Accidents Caused By Party Poppers

When Party Poppers are used properly they are a fun addition to any party.

TNT Big Fun Party Poppers are small rocket shaped poppers with a 3.5-inch wooden support stick. The popper makes a loud pop when a string is pulled shooting the rocket into the air. They are not classified as fireworks and have much less restrictions placed on them. However, they are not allowed on school campuses, on airplanes and various other locations due to the hazards associated with the product.

Bodily Injuries

An inappropriately launched rocket can cause bodily harm to children and adults. These poppers should not be aimed or shot toward someone. If the rocket was to come in contact with someone's face when launched from a short distance, serious injury can occur. Party Poppers are especially dangerous for children to play with as they may point the rocket toward themselves by accident while trying to pull the string.

Explosive

The pulled string ignites 16 mg of explosive charge combined with air pressure, causing the popper to launch the small rocket. While there is very minimal explosive charge in one Party Popper, combined with other poppers or fire it can be a serious hazard. Tests have shown the explosive charge to be a potential hazard and is thus not allowed on commercial airplanes.

Safety

The key to preventing Party Popper-induced accidents is safety and proper use. When used as directed Party Poppers are less of a hazard and are a fun addition to a party. Do not aim the popper directly at anyone at any time. Even when you are not going to pull the string, the rocket can accidentally launch and strike someone. Do not launch multiple rockets at once. Multiple rockets combine and increase the explosive charge. In addition, the direction of each fired rocket is harder to track when there are more than one.

Party Popper Recall

Due to the hazards associated with them, Party Poppers from Wal-Mart were recalled by popper producers,TNT, via the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. In 2003, the U.S. CPSC issued a Party Popper recall announcement stating the hazards of the product and encouraging people to discontinue use and return their poppers immediately for a full refund. Although the recall was not based on any reported injuries, the potential for serious injuries were enough to warrant a recall

Tags: Party Poppers, explosive charge, addition party, associated with, combined with, hazards associated, hazards associated with

Family Reunion Games For Teenagers

Up your reunion's coolness factor with fun games for teenagers.

Since family reunions aren't generally considered to be all that "cool," it's important to include some games and activities for the teenagers. It doesn't take a lot of money to entertain teenagers at a family reunion; just a bit of creativity and enthusiasm to get the teens going.

Sports

Many teens prefer to be active, rather than sitting around reminiscing. Set up a volleyball net and drape dark sheets over it to let teens play blind volleyball -- where the two sides cannot see each other. Or bring a portable basketball hoop and let the teens play "HORSE" or "Around the World." You could also try sports that don't require much athletic ability beyond running, such as Capture the Flag, or games that release pent-up stress, such as paintball. Let teens go swimming if there's a pool or lake nearby, or send them to a miniature golf course for a couple of hours.

Board Games

It's possible that your teens won't be interested in old-school board games, such as Monopoly, but there are plenty of other options. For example, try an up-to-date Trivial Pursuit. Most teens can remember a lot about the past decade. You could also try Scene It?, especially if you can find a themed version you know your teens would like (for example, "Twilight"-themed Scene It?). Or try creative games that let teens draw or act, such as Pictionary or Cranium.

Video Games

Ask teens to bring their video game consoles, games and controllers. Put all of your TVs in one room and let the teens have a video game tournament. Purchase a subscription to an online video game rental service and ask the teens in advance which games they would like to play so you can have them on hand. You could also rent a couple of interactive video game consoles, such as a Wii, so that teens can play video games without being couch potatoes.

Puzzle Games

Split teens into teams and send them on a scavenger hunt. Devise the clues beforehand. You could also create a jigsaw puzzle using a blown-up family photo and time teens to see who can get it back together fastest. Or create a puzzle course and split teens into five-person teams. Give the first teen on each team a clue to a destination, such as the grill in your back yard. Place a marker on the destination so that teens will know they've found it. The first person to find the marker wins a point for his team. Next, give the second clue to the second teammate. Continue until all team members have received a clue and give prizes to the team with the most points.

Tags: could also, video game, teens play, that teens, game consoles

Resorts & Vacations In The Poconos

Snow skiing is one of the major attractions in the Poconos.

The Pocono Mountains have been drawing visitors to their forests, lakes and world-class resorts for generations. The attractions offer year-round entertainment, relaxation and outdoor adventures for visitors of every age. Golf, tennis, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, fishing and water skiing are just a few activities the mountains have to offer. In winter, snow is the main event, with snow-skiing packages being one of the most popular winter getaways. From family vacations to romantic honeymoons, resorts in the Poconos are among the most favored destinations in the United States.

Family Vacations

It is all about family and kids on a wet and wild vacation at the Great Wolf Lodge Poconos Water Resort. This 100-acre resort features an indoor water park with a kids pool, wave pool, lazy river, water slides, a water roller coaster and a 12-level water fort where kids and parents can splash and play the day away. Guests can relax in family suites, or choose a kid-themed cabin, cubs den or KidKamp Suite with video games, another television for the kids and separate sleeping area for Mom and Dad. Mom will enjoy the luxurious spa treatments at Elements Spa Salon, while the little ladies might indulge in a manicure, pedicure or facial at Scooops Kids Spa. Area adventures include whitewater rafting and canoeing through Lehigh River Gorge State Park, paintball, golf and winter sports at the area ski resorts.

Great Wolf Lodge

1 Great Wolf Drive

Scotrun, PA 18355

800-768-9653

greatwolf.com

Ladies Getaways

Why settle for a night out when you could enjoy a weekend getaway at the Skytop Lodge in the Poconos? This trip includes pampering, fine food, exercise, spa treatments and champagne for you and a friend. You can choose from one of the many exercise options with your package, including yoga, deep water workouts, Pilates, hiking or kayaking on Skytop Lake. After your workout, you can use an included $100 spa voucher for a little pampering before dinner. No ladies getaway would be complete without a shopping excursion. Coupons are included for the nearby Crossings Premium Outlets.

Skytop Lodge

1 Skytop

Skytop, PA. 18357

800-345-7759

skytop.com

Romantic Honeymoons and Getaways

Honeymoons and romantic getaways await at Cove Haven Resort. This lovers' paradise vacation offers romantic meals at the Colosseum Restaurant and cocktails in the Parrot Lookout Lounge, overlooking mountain scenery and Lake Wallenpaupack near Lakeville, Pennsylvania. In the evenings you can play pool or enjoy hors d'oeuvres and cocktails in Cupid's Corner before a five-course dinner. Then you can dance the night away to live music in the Champagne Palace nightclub. Daytime offers just as much excitement with speedboats and waterskiing at the marina.

Cove Haven Resort

P.O. Box 547

Scotrun, PA 18355

877-822-3333

covepoconoresorts.com

Ski Vacations

Snow is the main attraction in the winter, and skiers head for Shawnee Mountain Ski Area for day, weekend and weeklong ski trips. Day and night lift tickets are available. Hotel rooms and luxury villas are five minutes away at the Fernwood Hotel and Resort. Snow tubing and a toddler play area make snow time family time at the resort. After the snow melts, plenty of warm weather activities are available to keep guests entertained. Horseback riding, miniature golf, swimming and canoeing on the Delaware River are a few of the attractions that keep families coming to Fernwood Hotel and Resort throughout the year.

Shawnee Mountain Ski Area

Interstate 80 Exit 309, Hollow Road

Shawnee on Delaware, PA 18356

570-421-7231

shawneemt.com

Fernwood Hotel and Resort

Route 209 and River Road

Bushkill, PA 18324

888-337-6966

fernwoodhotel.com

Tags: Fernwood Hotel, Fernwood Hotel Resort, Great Wolf, Hotel Resort, Cove Haven

Get Helium Tanks Filled

Helium-filled balloons add a festive touch to any party.

Refilling a helium tank is simply a matter of locating a gas company and taking the tank to the facility for a charge. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Get Helium Tanks Filled

1. Check the telephone directory yellow pages for industrial or commercial gas distributors, especially cylinder or bulk retailers.

2. Contact party-supply retailers online or find them in the telephone directory. Most party-supply retailers rent or sell helium tanks and can refill them.

3. Call a medical-supply company that specializes in oxygen tanks. Many carry other types of pressurized gas, including helium.

4. Ask a florist if the shop stocks helium. Many florists deliver helium-filled balloons to accompany floral arrangements and get-well gifts, and so they keep helium on hand.

5. Contact a special-events catering company. Many carry helium tanks for parties.

6. Buy a pre-filled helium tank at a large retail store if all efforts to locate a helium distributor are unsuccessful. Most big-box chain stores sell disposable helium tanks with a supply of balloons for children's parties.

Tags: helium tank, Helium Tanks, helium tanks, Helium Tanks Filled, Many carry, party-supply retailers

About Iris Goggles

Goggles are necessary to protect eyes during snow sports

The term Iris Goggles usually refers to the anti-fog, anti-glare goggles made for snow skiers and bicyclists by a Swedish company called POC. Cascade, a well-known maker of protective eyewear for lacrosse and field hockey players, manufactures sports "eyemasks" or goggles, with an option for women and young players called the Cascade Iris.

Types

POC produces seven different types of Iris goggles. Each type combines various features involving size, shape, frame color, lens type, lens color, mirror color, and degree of visible light transmissions, or the amount of light that reaches your eyes while wearing the goggles.

Function

All of the POC goggles are contoured to the face and are meant to protect the wearer's eyes during active outdoor events. Some special features of the light weight goggles are anti-glare protection from the sun, an anti-fog feature and lens that allow optimal peripheral vision. Some of the Iris goggles also have a break away option.

Awards

POC was founded in 2003 by Stefan Ytterborn and has claimed awards for some of its products. In 2010 POC received the Gold iF Product Design Award for its Cortex DH MIPS bicycle helmet. Earlier the same year it won the SIA Snowpress Innovations Award for its Receptor Backcountry helmet.

Sponsorships and Cost

POC has sponsored numerous Olympic skiers, including American Julia Mancuso, winner of the gold medal in 2006 and the silver in 2010 in Alpine Skiing events. Mancuso has also partnered with POC to design her own "POC Iris Comp Julia" women's goggles. A pair of normal POC Iris goggles cost around $99.99 as of 2010.

Target Audience

POC says the Iris goggles are impact-absorbing and have penetration-resistant construction. It promotes the Iris goggles as being primarily for gravity sports athletes but are also frequently used by outdoor workers.

Tags: Iris goggles, called Cascade, eyes during, Iris goggles

Get A Stiffi Barrel For The Invert Mini

Get a Stiffi Barrel for the Invert Mini

The type of barrel you choose for your paintball marker can affect distance, speed, and accuracy with which the paintball is shot. Typically, a longer barrel is more accurate and shorter barrels are for close-quarters combat. Each barrel has a set of threads. There are a few different types of paintball threads that you need to consider when purchasing a paintball barrel. Examples of threads include Autococker, Angel, and JT. Because the Invert Mini paintball gun does not have it's own unique set of threads, you must purchase a Stiffi barrel with "Autococker" threads in order for it to fit properly.

Instructions

1. Decide which type of barrel (length, material) that best suits your playing style. Stiffi barrel's come in either metal or 100-percent carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is lightweight whereas metal allows for a bit more tact and feel. They also come in a variety of lengths. The longer the barrel, the more accurate (but slower) the paintball shoots. If you are a sniper who likes to sit back and pick off the enemy, choose a longer barrel. If you are a run-and-gun type of player, choose the shorter barrel.

2. Choose the barrel bore size that fits the size paint you use. The barrel "bore" is another term for the diameter of the barrel opening. Stiffi barrels come in various different bore sizes. The bore size should be close to the size of your paintballs. The paintball box will tell you what size the rounds are. If you choose a barrel with a bore size that's larger than your paintballs, the rounds will not be accurate since they won't be getting the right amount of spin when exiting the barrel. If you choose a barrel that's too small in bore size, the paintballs will chop and break in the barrel.

3. Decide on whether or not you would like to buy a new or used Stiffi barrel. Because these barrels are very durable, it may be more beneficial and cost-effective to purchase a used one. Brand new barrels can be very expensive, especially if you are on a tight budget. New barrels sometimes come with a manufacturer warranty while used barrels usually do not. The warranty and backing of the manufacturer can be very helpful in the long run.

4. Purchase a Stiffi barrel directly from the manufacturer. If you have decided to purchase a new Stiffi barrel, the manufacturer would be the best place to purchase since they come with a warranty. Stiffi barrels come in various sizes, colors, designs, and materials. While it may be a daunting task at first, choosing the right barrel for you will make your playing experience a lot better. Sit down and think about the type of player you want to be. Once you have thought about it for a while, order the barrel.

Tags: bore size, Stiffi barrel, Invert Mini, longer barrel, barrel bore