The Ultimate Outdoor Adventure Guide

Have a (paint)ball

By Anna Stevens

The Adventure: Play some familiar childhood games with a colorful twist at Run-N-Gun paintball, which has been providing paintball experiences for more than 15 seasons. "Capture the Flag" is a bit more exciting when the other team is firing at you with paintballs, as is "President," where you can be the guy with the briefcase, the Secret Service, or one of the assassins. Each session begins with a safety orientation, after which you'll suit up, do battle, and no doubt leave with memorable “war” stories from your fun day of refereed paintball excitement. The courses are all in wooded areas so long sleeves are recommended. Dress to blend in: dark, neutral or camouflage clothing work best.

What We Wrote About It (Steve Lange, June ‘02): “... I circle around to high ground and, in a scene I still replay in my head, a scene I’ll describe at work on Monday as ‘a lot like when Kevin Costner shot that charging buffalo in Dances With Wolves,’ I take aim and fire. Hit, he drops the flag on the ground.”

Why It's A Blast: The Run-N-Gun website says it best: “In essence, paintball is excitement, adventure and an adrenaline rush all squished into a little breakable ball that you shoot at other players...”

Where You Go: Run-N-Gun Paintball, 56672 412th Ave., Mazeppa. Approximately four miles east of Oronoco. (For indoor paintball excitement right here in Rochester, check out Soccer World at www.soccerworldmn.com.)

What You Pay: Greens fee, $12; mask rental fee, $3; marker rental fee, $7; Paintball rounds: 100, $6; 500, $25; 2,000, $100.

Find Out More: 507-990-0913; www.run-n-gun.net