User:Maxwelldangersearcy/Keys (game)

Keys is a party game involving elements of twister and red rover. It is used by camp counselors and conference goers to break the ice and facilitate camaraderie with others. It is known to grow widely out of hand and can involve anywhere from ten to upwards of one hundred people.

Origins
Keys was first played by groups of 4H Club students at Teen Conferences in Kentucky. The exact origins of the game are sketchy, but the game is in its infancy, with may variations beginning to emerge, along with the growing popularity and zeal of players. The game has since become popular with and is currently a staple of Kentucky 4H Teen Conference as well as many less attended meetings. Keys is also making its way into the theatre subculture and is becoming popular with drama students in central Kentucky.

Gameplay
Play is simple and requires little to no preparation. One player, who wants to start the game finds a set of keys, or another object to occupy one hand and gets the attention of someone else. The starting player then explains the game and, assuming the newly found player is willing, offers his unoccupied hand. The new player joins hands with the first and crawls between his legs. The cycle then begins again, with the new player attempting to draft another to take his unoccupied hand and pass through any gap between any two players. The game only ends when all willing participants have been conscripted for play, or when the mass of bodies falls apart.

Variants
Obviously, any object can be used in place of keys, though the game is traditionally played by teens, who are fixated on their new driving abilities.

Some play that the second player doesn't have to pass through the first's legs and that the third player is the first who must find a gap.

In one area, students play by the first player gripping a post and attempting to shuttle as many people through the gaps between players and the pole as possible, while still holding hands, this is called "The Maypole Game".