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Paintball group on a mission to get kids outside and active

CRAFTON, Pa. — For one Crafton group, getting kids outside and active is important. The Pittsburgh Paintball Park is a video game experience in real life. And with COVID-19 restrictions loosening, it’s a place for kids to get off of their electronics and learn life lessons.

NRG, one of the founders of Command Bros., is a combat referee on the weekends during open play for kids 8 years and up.

His mission is to get kids here and off of their gaming consoles.

“Paintball is for everybody but right now we need the kids to be more active. Something they don’t do like we did when we were growing up,” he said. “So this is a great way for them to come out get some fresh air and move their body around without actually telling them to do so.”

NRG says in addition to the exercise, children also learn life skills from paintball games.

“It’s a good experience seeing kids find out about themselves and given the opportunity to have a good time and learn to play for team play, friendship, camaraderie. So I’ve never seen a negative aspect outside of the initial first hit. The initial first hit as a shocker,” he said.

This is also an important lesson about gun safety for both kids and adults.

There is a fee to play, plus there is necessary gear, but these ballers say it’s worth it.

A Command Bros. war game is set for June 26 at TRP in Cranberry for kids of all levels.

“But now that summer times back, you know they’re lifting a lot of these restrictions, we need to start motivating the kids to go do something,” NRG said.