The youth group with a spirit of adventure

A Norfolk youth group could’ve given up on their idea of creating a board game this year. But they didn’t, and now it is going to be offered to more than a thousand families across the county this Christmas

It’s been nine months since the ‘Time Turners’ of Norfolk youth group, Kick the Dust, had met face to face. Until this week, that is.

And they met up to play the deluxe limited-edition version of a board game that they had managed to create together this year, via online meet ups, alone. The impressive result is a ‘Trail of Trails, an Ancient Adventure’, which takes players on a journey through an Ancient Egyptian tomb in which they will come across curses and artefacts of fortune as they endeavour to reach the afterlife.

The Kick the Dust project group are based at Stories of Lynn, King’s Lynn Town Hall. Project Worker Rachael Williams has nothing but praise for them. ‘They have achieved so much in lockdown 2020,’ she says.

‘The Ancient Egyptian Adventure game was completely their idea; they learnt to make decisions along the way, that helped to educate, engage and enlighten the group and those who will get to play their ‘Trail of Trials’.

It is to be included in a creative pack which is to be offered to families across Norfolk this Christmas who may not have access to arts materials or resources.

Rachael adds: ‘They could have given up when the lockdown started; it could have been the end of their year. However, using their commitment and enthusiasm and the support of skilled and very willing colleagues, they certainly have brought history to life for many young people and their families.

‘With the help of Dayna Woolbright, Norfolk Museums Service Curator, and borough council colleagues – Kristina McArthur who worked on the graphics for the game and Luke Burridge in the print room who had to print some unique items – we have enabled the Time Turners to learn the history, the processes and new skills that are needed to produce a game from scratch.’

‘The weeks since June seem to have flown by as there has been so much to learn, design and create. The young people are so proud of their boardgame that they have produced, and I am even more proud of them, especially as we had every one of our meetings over the internet!’

Cllr Elizabeth Nockolds, Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Culture, Heritage and Health added: ‘This year has been difficult for many families and I’m delighted to see that the Kick the Dust group were able to work together virtually to put this project together.

‘This game has exceeded all expectations and has now been reproduced 1800 times so it can be shared with children and their families across Norfolk.’

Rachael again: ‘Seeing the delight of the young people when they met up on Tuesday, face to face for the first time in nine months, was reward in itself; hearing the laughter as they fell foul of the challenges that they had written themselves was both hilarious and heart-warming!

‘I had no hesitation in saying to this fantastic group: ‘you have made 2020 your year! Well done’.’

Kick the Dust Norfolk is a Heritage Lottery Funded, youth-focused project run in partnership by Norfolk Museums Service, YMCA Norfolk, Creative Collisions, & Norfolk Library & Information Service. If you want to know more about Kick the Dust or join one of the project groups, contact Rachael.Williams2@norfolk.gov.uk at Stories of Lynn or call 01553 669287.

(Featured image: Rachael Williams is standing just behind ‘A trail of trials’ and Dayna Woolbright is far right)