Having a Field Day!

Remember Field Day?  That elementary school outdoor  break in the school routine, with games, chaos, parents, and cold drinks?  I loved Field Day--not because sports were particularly my thing, but because I liked the holiday-like atmosphere:  it was the only day we could wear shorts (this was the 1970s and there were no shorts in my school); there was a lot of class pride, with special team names and classroom t-shirts with our names on the back (made at the local t-shirt shop, you know with rainbow sparkle bubble letters pressed on with big hot presses, same place you had your Star Wars shirt made with your name on the back!!  One year we were the Schakett's Super Sonics, lots of letters!); we drank ice-cold, dripping-wet Cokes out of various Igloos; we picnicked outside; there was no work all day; and a general air of chaotic happiness reined with lots of yelling and rooting and running around..  I dreaded the balloon pop, but otherwise enjoyed the races enough, like three-legged race, water balloon toss, all the relays and speed races, and the big finale tug-o-war competition.  We each got 3 or so events, choosing our best players for their best events--I think we even did advance time trials in PE.  I was a filler but always on tug-o-war because I was the tallest girl in the class (and often the grade).  If I remember correctly, ribbons were awarded and classes got points and could win.  Again, this was the 1970s--we competed, kept score, won and lost with no points just for participating.

Today was totally different.  Classes stayed together with no interaction much less competing.  Games were almost cooperative ("soccer croquet") or at least non-competitive with everyone getting a turn at everything and no winners--they just stopped when they were finished and then often just did it again.  Mercy, they didn't even all start together with "On your mark, get set, go!"  Six graders oversaw the relatively calm activities (ball toss in hoops with self-reporting of scores, clothes relay (we had this), wet ball toss (less messy than water balloon toss), etc), with just a few  parents in attendance, and almost no cheering.  I did cheer for Sis and Bud when it was their turn.  It seems odd to root when you can't win, though there was a general air of help and support.  And still lots of fun, essentially an extra-long PE class (except, disappointingly, they NEVER go outside for PE!) . . . I wonder if it will be more like an old-fashioned field day when they are older?  I'm not sure kids today would no what to do with that!

And they'll never top those t-shirt shop t-shirts!!