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The regulars at the senior center in Painesville, Ohio, had a dilemma. A Nintendo Wii had been purchased, but the novelty of the new game system had worn off after only a week. On most days, the system received little or no use. The seniors were familiar with other programs like aerobics, weight training, crafting, bingo, card games and classroom activities, but the Wii presented a new and unfamiliar challenge. The gaming system also had some stiff competition from a coin-operated arcade bowling machine that had been used for over 30 years. Usually found in a bar or restaurant, this type of machine required participants to bowl a ball--similar to a bocce ball--down a small, wooden lane. The ball rolled over spots on the lane and made the pins elevated above the ball raise in conjunction with how accurately one rolled the ball.
After receiving a call from Denise Powell, the director of the Painesville Area Senior Center, we at the recreation department began planning how to assist with the Wii problem. Powell had been reading articles from all over the country that highlighted seniors going wild for Wii Sports, especially the bowling game. She wanted us to assist in planning a program to increase the seniors’ involvement with the Wii. I knew from years of working at summer camps that the best way to get kids to play games is to make sure they understand:
1. How to play
