You wouldn’t think that there would be a bunch of students sporting headbands and NERF guns to play tag when you’re starting college. However, some Oswego State students, along with a few other schools, enjoy playing Humans vs. Zombies. In this game, the “humans” have blue headbands and use NERF guns and socks to defend themselves against the “zombies,” who wear red headbands.

Of course, they have to make an agreement with University Police to refrain from playing in the parking lots, roads, dining halls, academic halls and residence halls. This doesn’t stop the players from enjoying their game and taking each other out on the way to class. As for the people not playing, that is another story.

You can see that some people get a little annoyed when they have to dodge bullets meant for the zombies or have someone run past them almost knocking them over because they are trying to get away from a zombie. Sure they could be a little more out of the way when it comes to their game, but then where’s the fun in that?

I think it’s great that there’s game where students can unwind, let go, and get away from their academic life, even if just for a second. Even I enjoyed the relief of shooting someone with a NERF bullet in my freshman and sophomore years. There is something about being able to embrace your childhood once a year with other people who enjoy a good game of tag like yourself.

There’s always some talk about this game being too childish for college students to take part in and it being a waste of time. It’s not. I think it’s better that they get to let all of their tomfoolery out in this game. It’s also good that the game is held after midterms and before finals so it’s a nice stress reliever for the students that just want to get school off of their minds.

Even better, it’s for a great cause called Child’s Play. What better way to support children getting the chance to truly enjoy their childhood than reliving yours and donating to them? Sure, you could just hand over the money, but at least now you can do that and enjoy the rest of your week with other fun-loving people.

We must be doing something right if there are other colleges out there playing. This is an ongoing thing with people around the world. There is nothing wrong with having a little fun. If you want to play tag with random strangers, then go ahead. If taking advantage of the chance to have a NERF gun and fire it on campus at people is something you want to do, then by all means, proceed. And if people give you a weird look as you run past to catch that human, don’t even worry about it. There is nothing wrong with being a little childish once in a while.