FRUIT HOOPS

Divide everyone into wo teams and have them spread out along the gutter at the deep end of the pool. Float two plastic dishpans at the shallow end of the pool corners. In the middle of the pool, distribute two of each variety of fresh fruit from the produce department (bananas, apples, oranges, grapefruit, pears, mangoes, cantaloupes, etc.) At the sound of the whistle, both teams collect one of each fruit and deposit it in a dishpan.

While it may seem a simple game, Fruit Hoops presents an intriguing strategic choice: Should a team assign each player to a specific fruit to collect and carry to the fruit pan? Or should it designate a team member to swim ahead and be in position to catch and dunk fruit tossed and retrieved by teammates? Whatever each team decides, the first team to collect a complete fruit sampler wins; the other team has to prepare fruit salad for lunch.