2013 box maze

The box maze this year was huge, so I thought it was appropriate to make a huge blog post about it. Terry was extremely proud of his work this year. Last year was his first attempt and it turned out great, but the maze this year was bigger and better. He climbed up on a ladder on the stage to get this shot.

This photo was taken on the west side of the maze. The tall portion in the middle was a dead end, and was called "the swirl" due to the boxes that wrapped around it.

Here is the ramp that Terry constructed. "Tamarra" was the code name given to the secret exit which was housed within the ramp, unbeknownst to the students.

The box maze was a church event on Wednesday evening. First the Sparkies went through. There's little Evie just inside one of the two entrances.

Next up were the Truth and Training Awana kids, including Noah. He had a great time, though I was surprised he did not find his way out. 

Since my brother and his wife are back in town, Nathan is helping out with youth group. And scaring kids... 

Terry had some great help this year. One of his most faithful was this college student with the coolest name: Zebedee. He and his friend Matt worked on including this lounge-like area in the middle of the maze. Complete with chairs. 

Here's some high school students crammed in there. 

Another of Terry's most loyal helpers was David. David is awesome. Here they are. Proud as can be in front of their ramp and "Tamarra."

Now David is inside the top of the ramp pointing out the secret exit, Tamarra.

Oh yes. That cardboard has a flap of that lifts up to reveal the secret. They put the opening to the back of the flap to make it even more difficult to find. 

Tamarra.

On Thursday night there was an elder appreciation dinner at the church. Paul, our new staff guy (Director of Connections) was brave enough to try the maze. Terry of course had to show him Tamarra.

Absolutely ZERO students found Tamarra. On the last night of the maze (Terry was there every night Sunday through Friday and students went through Wednesday, Thursday and Friday), Terry was planning on finally revealing Tamarra. They played the game Sardines. The one girl, Jazmin, who had overheard where the exit was from some college students, got to hide in Tamarra. When other students would climb over her (because she was below the top-most portion of the ramp), she would knock to let them know where to go so they could hide with her. Terry was standing on the ramp frame with a camera giving further clues. At this point, Bailey and Mary (pictured) were like, "We know the way out is under us, but how do we get there?" Terry said, "What's the fastest possible way?" "Under us," they answered. "But how aren't we falling through?" They figured it out in the end. They all did, but only because Terry gave them tons of hints. There was a dead end that went under the side portion of the ramp, next to Tamarra, that the kids were just sure led to the exit. They were so desperate to find it that they were roughing it up and shaking the maze!

Bailey and Mary sitting, unknowingly, on top of Tamarra.

A few students finding their way out. Finally.

The maze is fun but it's quite a long week. It was so sweet of these two freshman girls, Jazmin and Sarah, to babysit our kids when it was all over so Terry and I could have a much needed date.

Fun-faced boy. And his friend Asher behind him.

This was Friday night when it was all over.

The next thing they did was rip it all apart. The video is quite funny. There are kids jumping and flying through the air, obviously sure of a soft landing, but the boxes completely crumples under them and they disappear from view. It was hilarious.