Larp House Presents: Boundary Waters

Why do we do we travel? Why do we go to the world’s wild places? Why do we paddle or hike for days, when we could reach the same destination in a few hours by car? In a world of elevators, why do we climb mountains? Sometimes we go into the wilderness to figure out what matters. We take on burdens to learn how much we can carry, and who will help us bear the load. We go to liminal spaces to find a path forward, or the way home. Sometimes we all need to go to the Boundary Waters.

In Boundary Waters, a group of six strong women facing difficult choices travel through the lakes and portages of the Boundary Water Canoe Area, heading for the Canadian border. As they paddle, they contend with the inner voices of hope and fear, guilt and love. At portages, they carry heavy burdens over difficult terrain, just as they must carry the burdens of their past and future choices over many paths. Sometimes they share each other’s burdens. At night they gather in the dark and liminal space of a campfire under the stars. As they travel, the beauty of wild places will hone who they are and what they value most. When they reach the border, each must make a choice.

What

Boundary Waters, a live-action game for two to six players

As featured at Make a Scene!

Designed by Katherine Shane
Organized by Tom Fendt

When

24 August 2019 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Where

Hidden Falls Regional Park, St Paul (Google Maps)

Metro Transit routes 46 and 134 stop about half a mile away. We’ll solicit carpool needs and offers.

Registration

There is no cost to participate in this larp.

If you are interested in playing, fill out our Boundary Waters Sign-Up Form by Sunday, 18 August 11:59 pm. This larp will run as long as we have a minimum player count by this deadline, so please register by or before August 18th if possible!

woman canoeing through a forested lake

Play style

The game uses common canoeing tasks to structure the play experience.  (mock paddling, shouldering large objects) While you will be able to determine the extent and duration, you will exert yourself physically to some extent in this larp. Each character is faced with a weighty life decision to make, and players will express their dilemmas through internal dialogue, in-character conversations, and physical play.

All characters in this larp are women, although players of any gender are welcome to play.

Content advisory

Issues of parenting, reproductive choice, verbal and physical violence, abuse, addiction, depression, and the ending of relationships will be on the table.

Accessibility

Venue is outside in a park with minimal paved surfaces. There are (gendered) public restrooms on site.  Some physical activity is required; the default play experience involves hauling 25 to 40 pound objects around, but can be adjusted if needed.

Outfitting

Please wear comfortable clothing and footwear for hiking around outdoors on park trails and physical exertion. You may wish to bring sunscreen and insect repellent.

Players are strongly encouraged to bring a water bottle.

(National Weather Service forecast)

Afterparty

We’ll meet up at Nelson’s Ice Cream (Google Maps) after the larp for (completely optional) social mingling. Players are welcome to invite guests, even if they didn’t play in the larp!

Contact

Contact us with any questions or concerns!

Image credits:

Kekakabic – BWCA” © 2008 Chad Fennell, used under CC BY 2.0

Water Portage” © 2011 Travis, used under CC BY-NC 2.0

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