Ever wonder what it would be like to be a kid again? You know, the kind of kid who plays tag and runs around with reckless abandon? One of the University's newest contracted independent organizations, GO!, has started up to allow students with fond memories of their childhoods to play games that made recess a thrill.
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"We just thought it'd be fun to hang out together and play low-key games, so we started getting people together," said Co-President Gabrielle Escalera.
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Third-year College student Hunter Cook, who was one of the group's founding members, said he and his friends wanted to play games from their childhood but there were no organizations catered specifically for that. Intramurals and club teams were too organized and too competitive for their tastes.
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Vice President Allison Light said several people in her first-year hall liked playing outdoor childhood games and that the interest expanded enough that multiple participants wanted to make the group official. Light said her personal interest in the group stems from a simple desire to stay active.
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And a wide sector of students have embraced the group as it grows. Although the number of participants varies from week to week, Cook said there are about 200 people on the GO! e-mail list, and about 20-30 people come every week for activities, he said.
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Games are played at multiple venues across Grounds, including outside the Observatory Hill Dining Hall, Lambeth Field and, of course, the Lawn. The group meets every Friday, generally after 5 or 6 p.m., and for an hour or two, college students get to be just kids again.
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"When we were advertising at the Activities Fair back in August, our catchphrase was that 'everyone misses recess,' and I think that's really true," Escalera said.
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When asked what she would say to get people to join GO!, Light didn't hesitate. "If you miss your childhood and you want to meet new people [you should join]," she said.
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Cook also sees many positive benefits from being a member of GO!. "Literally, it's as chill and as fun as it could possibly be," Cook said.
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He also emphasized the importance of GO! as a way to unwind.
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"It's not a huge time commitment; we don't take attendance. It's a lot of fun and great stress relief," he said.
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Even in an enjoyable and carefree environment, Escalera said that lessons can be learned. "Most of our activities are team-oriented, so you have to work together with people you don't know very well to win," she said.
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Cook, Light and Escalera said a wide range of students come out to play every Friday.
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"Half the people that come aren't even on the mailing list; friends brought them. Interest is continually expanding," Light said.
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Games such as Manhunt and tag aren't just about finding other people. Escalera admitted that these hide-and-go-seek-type games help her discover more about Grounds. "We played Manhunt in Darden Court in the [Engineering School], which was a mystery to me until then," Escalera said.
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GO! also provides a break from students' other commitments to clubs and schoolwork. After all, Escalera said, who doesn't need a break?
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"GO! is different from [other organization] because it's so low-key. We're just a group of people showing up to have fun together, and while we're organized, there aren't tons of mandatory meetings or even dues at this point," Escalera said.
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