get to run around in the fresh air.

It is a game called laser skirmish and it has proven a hit during the school holidays, which end today for many children.

Last week 40 Huon Valley Children dressed in combat fatigues to play soldiers in the bush.

Huon Valley council youth health development officer Emily Smee said holiday program students had requested laser skirmish.

“It proved a hot favourite, with tickets selling out before the holiday began”, Ms Smee said”.

Thomas McGrath, 11, from Huonville, said he had looked forward to playing Laser Skirmish all holidays. “Its fun. We know it’s not real but its exciting pretending and running around with pretend shotguns,” Thomas said.

Jonathon Simonetis, who runs the mobile business Tas Laser Skirmish at locations state-wide, said the exercise was designed to nurture teamwork, team morale, communication and fitness rather then promote violence.

Players use harmless phasers to shoot at sensors on opponents hats.

Meryl Naidoo

19 June 2006