Inaugural Blue Apple Battle: Free Family Game Day, Ages 9 to 14

Columbia’s first Blue Apple Battle brings youth ages 9 to 14 onto the gym floor for a free day of live action team games, played alongside Columbia Police Department officers and Columbia-Richland Fire Department personnel.

Squads rotate through Nerf battles, bubble ball, flag snatch, and blue light red light. Between rounds, each squad works through a short huddle on reading pressure, making a call under stress, and looking out for the person next to you. It is substance use prevention that happens while kids are out of breath and laughing, not sitting through a lecture.

Youth are grouped by age into Soldier (9 to 10), Sergeant (11 to 12), and Captain (13 to 14) cohorts so the games fit the player. A parent, guardian, or approved adult stays on site. Siblings are welcome.

Everything is free: the games, the gear, and the day. Free on-site parking. The venue is wheelchair accessible.

A parent or guardian registers each child at blueapplebattle.com. Questions: battle@blueapplevillage.com.