Campers Info Source

This is the third in a series of 5 BLOG posts that will introduce you to some fun games to play outdoors while camping.

Game # 3 – Bocce Ball

Bocce ball is a sport which originated in Italy, although many other nations play it as well. In bocce ball, sometimes called lawn bowling, players toss balls at a smaller target bowl within the confines of a large court. The game is popular throughout Europe and in areas where there is a high concentration of Italian immigrants, including the United States.

Some form of bocce ball has been played for centuries. Stone balls for lawn bowling have been found in Ancient Greek and Roman sites, along with frescos and paintings depicting people engaged in bocce ball games. The game has remained popular for centuries because it is simple to learn, fun to play, and playable by all ages. Adults and children can play together if they like, while older Italians can often be found whiling away an afternoon on the bocce ball court.  Today, it is one of the more popular camping games in the U.S.

The court used for bocce ball can measure up to 98 feet (30 meters) by 14 feet (4 meters), and can be dirt, lawn, or crushed gravel. Sizes of the court can vary depending on the area: some players use half courts, due to space restrictions. The players divide into teams which can have one to four members, and each team is assigned four balls. One team is given the opportunity to throw out the target ball, called a jack, pallina, or boccino, depending on the area. Each team takes turns tossing their balls at the targets, and the team with balls closest to the target at the end of the round wins.

Set up a neighborhood tournament for your next camping trip.  Make a certificate or get a cheap trophy and crown a bocce champion right at your camp site.  Store the trophy in your camping tent! The quality Bocce Ball Set pictured gives you everything you need, and in a convenient carry bag in case you want to make it a travelling tournament.