This game focuses camper's attention on their sense of hearing but also helps them to concentrate on how they move through the woods. Introduce campers to animals' sensitivity to noises around them and how animal senses make them aware of their surroundings. If we want to see animals we must be quiet in their presence in order not to scare them. Or as Robert Lynd said, "In order to see birds, it is necessary to become part of the silence." Instruct campers on how to walk quietly by raising one foot and bringing it down onto the surface gently but completely before applying any weight. Some people prefer to step with their toes first and roll the rest of the foot onto the ground (the weasel walk), but others place their heels down first and roll forward (the fox trot).

Ask for a volunteer to serve as the first listener, and form a circle twenty to thirty feet around this person in a grassy meadow. The person in the center of the circle must close his eyes and be ready to point at any sound coming from a person trying to sneak up on him. The rest of the campers prepare to sneak up on the center person when a staff member points towards one of them. Continue the game until someone successfully touches the center person without being heard by him. At this point, the successful sneaker replaces the person in the center of the circle and the game continues.

Repeat the same game in a more complicated habitat where there are other obstacles such as leaves to crack under the feet. Lead the campers in moving in this new environment by more carefully placing the feet on solid surfaces and choosing the direction from which to sneak up on the center person.

At Kirchenwald, we move from the sneak up game into commando tag to test out the campers' newfound stalking skills in a natural situation. Start with a discussion of camouflage and the benefits of alternating areas of light and dark when hiding in a forest environment. Lead the campers in applying natural camouflage made out of ashes, soil, and other materials.

Begin the game itself by establishing some fairly large and general boundaries for a game of tag. Divide the group into two teams, and give one team paper cups that they will use to splash water on prey to capture them. Explain that the predators will try to sneak up on prey individuals and splash them with water. Prey are of course allowed to run if they are discovered, but for the most part staying still is the best strategy for prey in this game. A prey individual who is splashed with water is considered captured and is out of the game for the rest of that round. With those directions, give the prey a few minutes to hide in the woods and then send the predators to try to find them. Remind the predators that their goal should be stealth to be able to locate a hidden prey animal without being noticed. Allow the game to continue until the predators catch as many prey as they are likely able to do. Play the game a number of times, switching sides occasionally so that both teams experience life as prey.

After the game is over, the campers will probably be very excited and in desperate need of a shower before the next meal. However, take a few moments to debrief the game. Ask about the respective difficulties of being predator and prey, and the strategies of each. The prey's role is especially similar to humans' relationship to God. One of the many names of Christ is the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Rev. 5.5), and the prophet Jeremiah delights in describing God as a lion coming up out of the forest. Often, we hide from God in the forest, but God nonetheless seeks us out and returns us to God's kingdom. Sometimes God sneaks up on us even though we think we have hidden where no one can find us.