How to Hold a Turtle Race

It is often difficult to come up with new ways to entertain groups of children when they have been together for several days or even weeks at a time such as when attending summer camps, or vacation bible school, or even just an extended family outing, such as a family reunion.

One event which is always and a great hit with children and adults alike is a Turtle Race. Yes, a Turtle Race!

While a turtle race may sound boring it is anything but that, especially when the competitive spirit and the number of entries is high.

My first experience with turtle racing occurred as I attended Boy Scout Camp one summer. Our encampment was for two weeks. During the first day of camp our counselors conducted a group orientation in which the rules of the camp were discussed, followed by a review of up coming events. We were told on the last day of camp a turtle race would be held and that in order to participate each of the 12 troops in attendance would scour the nearby woods and fields to find a turtle to represent their troop in the competition.

For a boy ranging in age from 12 - 15 finding a turtle in the wild was assignment to be relished, and we spent every free hour searching areas we considered turtle habitat.

By the end of the second week every troop had found at least one turtle for entry into the competition. Most were box turtles, but there were some more ominous looking creepy crawlers which had been found on the edge of a swamp. (The counselors warned us that these might well be 'snapping turtles' and we needed to handle them with care).

With all of the participants (turtles) now on site it was time for the turtle race.

To conduct a turtle race:

Step 1 - In the center of a grass lawn or newly mown field a large circle with a 30 foot diameter is drawn on the grass. This is easily done by tying a 15 foot long rope to a stake in what will be the center of the circle and then using the opposite end of the rope to trace the perimeter of the circle.

Step 2 - Mark the perimeter of the circle using a chalk outline or one of rope or string. (In an all dirt field the perimeter can be marked by tracing a line in the dirt).

Step 3 - In the very center of the circle use the stake to mark off a smaller circle 4 feet in diameter around the stake.

Step 4 - Place all of the turtles in the center circle and temporarily cover them with wicker or plastic laundry basket.

Step 5 - The race begins when the basket is lifted off the turtles allowing them run free.

Step 6 - The first turtle to cross the perimeter of the outside circle is the winner.

Note: Once the race begins no people are allowed inside either circle.

The race itself is fun to watch. Each turtle reacts differently once the basket releases them. Some without hesitation begin an aggressive surge toward freedom from the circle, while others sit quietly pondering what action to take...and still others sit with heads withdrawn in their protective shells for the duration of the race.

Kids rim the circle cheering on their entry, hoping to win first prize (which at Scout camp was a cold watermelon) and taking pride in being crowned the sessions racing champion.

The turtles seem intent on putting on a show as they employ different tactics to put distance between themselves and the confining circle. It is almost as if they (the turtles) realize that their prize for winning or losing the race is to cheered heartily and then to be returned to wild and the same location at which they were found.

Turtle races are fun...Even the turtles seem to enjoy them