rrrr Paintball!

[java]

So my 13 year old goes to play today with his tae kwon do school- about 25 people ranging in age from 12-45. Paid $60 to go and to rent the gear. Paid another $35 for a suit and extra paintballs- the "leader" was taking a collection and they were going to split a box- so $30 of the 35 was for that. Then I left my son with $20 for emergencies.

Well he then chipped in the $20 for more paintballs(which I believe I already did with the $30)

So the question is - do I ask the 18 year old that planned the trip if he double chipped in- or do I just let it slide and chalk it up to a learning experience for me. (on giving my son $$ I mean) On one hand it is only $20 and on the other hand it is $20.

But the 18 year old is my son's instructor. (one of them) and if it was an additional $20 I am sure it was in error and not a purposeful double chip in- so I think I am leaning toward not mentioning it. I mean he was out in the blazing sun for 5 hours with all of them so I don't want to nit pick over $20- or do I.
Who knew paintball was so expensive! Oh and of course he has a HUGE paintball sized bruise on his leg- making it even more cooler.

 

[jessica52877]

I probably wouldn't mention anything. Did the instructor ask for more or did your son say I have $20 more. I could see where the instructor might not know who exactly chipped in. Next time probably just explain better to your son that $20 emergency money is meant for an emergency. It is $20 and I look at it both ways, it is alot of money, but then again just $20. What counts is he had fun.

 

[Shagley]

Could the $20 have gone for more paintballs in addition to what the $30 covered? I wonder if they had so much fun and ran out of their original amount of paintballs so they all pitched in to buy even more to keep playing longer.

 

[chasbos]

Paintballing is very, very expensive! The first time we took our kids (4 of them) we spent $360 on paintballs alone!

I would just let it slide! He had fun, but if he were to go again I would discuss the $$ issue before he goes!

 

[java]

Yeah after talking about the day I am letting it slide. He had fun and had plenty of paintballs. I'll be cheap someplace else.

 

[tinytink]

Yeah after talking about the day I am letting it slide. He had fun and had plenty of paintballs. I'll be cheap someplace else.

o boy, the DH would be in heaven talking about paintball. He leaves his wife and 4 kids home just to go play paintball all day long. He sits at home flicking his finger as if he were pulling the trigger on his painball gun. I tell you it's a sick disease that you really don't benefit from unlike the DISboards.

You can use up quiet a few balls when playing depending on the type of gun, of course the better the gun the more balls you use and depending on the type of game. If he played all day 1 box of paintballs(1000 balls) won't last him but maybe the morning session. iI think my DH calls it Hyper ball games or something like that, he ususally buys paintballs from the paintball shop because they tend to rip you off at the paintball field. But is sounds right to me and I am glad you son had fun. I played once and that was enough for me.

 

[We4mickey]

In 5 hours time you can go through a lot of paint! DS plays all the time and it is a very expensive sport. Chalk it up to experience and don't give him extra money next time.

 

[MKCP5]

alot depends on whether they are just slamming paintballs out for nothing or really playing in the woods with forts and props etc. DS, DH and friends play pretty often and don't spend 1/4 of that!! The key to the $$ is playing at a paintball place. That's when the money flys out of your hands. We play in the woods-the paint is fully iodegradable and will wash off the trees etc with the first rain. We don't have "outfits" to play in, we wear old clothes that they don't care if they trash. A case of paintballs is $35.00.

Hope he had fun, smile at his battle scar, and watch out for the paintball parks. They are a crazy expense!!

 

[livie1205]

there is a place we go...I buy a coupon that is good for 10 people for 29.00 and that includes gun,mask,vest,air and 400 balls then we buy a case of balls for 40.00...it is in the woods with forts and stuff like that....the kids love it,and we dont trash alot of clothes...the paint washes right out oh it is a little hard to get out of hair though...i got hit right in the head (ouch) lol

 

[momxx5]

Kids can go through paint balls pretty fast.

If its a new novelity type thing, just shooting the balls is fun, thus going through a lot more paint balls.

After going quite a few times, my boys figured out to conserve their paint balls for real games.

I agree, just let it go. He had fun and was safe. That is the most important things. Although it is hard when planning a budget, its just something we do for our kids.

 

[momxx5]

FYI, our paintball field only allows a certain brand of paintballs used.

After thinking about it, I can see their point....all the paint is the same quality and color. That way no one is using paint balls that hurt more and explode easier. There is no telling what some people would use at the park.

 

[Tensixmom]

I can tell you from much experience that paintballing is very expensive. I have 6 in my family that play. Maybe I mis-read your post but was the whole group spliting that one box of paint? I can guarantee you that was not enough by any means. I have 5 boys that play 20 yoa, 18 yoa, 12 yoa, 11 yoa and 6 yoa and they all go through a different amount of paint, but on average a full day on the field, (depending on how much airball, x ball or hyperball they play (faster games)) they go through about 3/4 of a box of paint each.

I would just let it slide this time. But for future reference, don't buy the suit, just send him in older jeans or pants, and long sleeve shirt and sweatshirt for padding, a bandana for his head or stocking cap, and he is good. The paint comes out in the washer. Check into the local paintball places in your neighborhood some of them may rent equipment that he can take with him. That may cut down on the cost a little. Some things that he will have to pay for on the field are admission, air or CO2, and paint (at most fields but not all).

The bruises are the best part, my kids love showing them off. We even have to take pictures some times.