Spherical Experimentation and Belle in the Ball

By Femkat, Ranger Media Arts

At Guiding Mosaic 2016, there is a smorgasbord of various activities in and around Camp Woods. Just in front of the camp gates is probably one of the oddest of the group. It’s quite a sight to see a bunch of big, transparent, plastic balls, just sitting in a field, waiting to be used.

I joined a team of fellow Media Arts Rangers to check out the situation. There, we learned the balls are part of two activities: Spherical Experimentation and Belle in the Ball. They are activities for the Pathfinder Program, which involves a variety of different stations with various crafts, sports and the like.

Spherical Experimentation involves balls with holes in the top and bottom. One stands inside, is secured with straps, and can then run rampant, performing flips (which occasionally result in you getting stuck upside down) and ramming into other balls, essentially creating a safer version of bumper cars. “Literally a workout,” said one exhausted participant. “I want one.” Both my partners, who took a run through, were sweating and out of breath when they had finished.

Belle in the Ball, while similar, is a completely different experience. It involves a completely sealed ball, a pool full of water and a lot of tumbling. Essentially, one steps inside a deflated ball and said ball is filled with air, which, according to the Guider in charge, lasts fifteen minutes. You are then rolled up a ramp and dumped in the pool. The balls actually float, which is really cool. Once inside, one can attempt to stand, though this looks to be an extremely laborious task that ends with you winding up where you had begun; sitting on the bottom of the ball. If one can get to her feet and stay there, you can attempt to propel the ball forwards by running or walking. We acquired some amazing footage when my teammates went inside with the Gopro, showing just what exactly happens within the ball. One participant described the experience as “like walking on water.”

Overall, these two activities were an incredible experience. It was both amusing and enlightening to observe them. The Gopro footage brought a whole new perspective to Belle in the Ball and it will allow those who didn’t go inside to see just what goes on inside the ball. Although, we all know, “What happens in the ball, stays in the ball.”

Until next time, this is Femkat, keeping you updated on all the goings-on at GM 2016.

Submitted by Femke van Son