I Got NERF-Ed by Edward Cullen (Kidding): Welcome to the World of Stress Relief at UNM
- Anagha
- 6 hours ago
- 10 min read
Craving a blast from the past? Well, you should have been at UNM's Stress Relief Society's (SRS) event, ‘Nerf vs Vampires’, on the chilly evening of the 29th of January (Missed it? Aim better next time). This time around, my tasks were different; it led me to a different route than the one I was used to. In the past, when I had come to a similar event (NERF vs Zombies), I had been armed with a plastic gun, foam pistols, and a few prayers. Now, I approach arms in air, surrendering, with a laptop and a phone microphone.
The room, the starting and revival point of the game, was bustling with excitement and chatter. In the front, a crate spilling with Nerf guns tempted the students with the chaos it promised. But now, going from participant to interviewer, this time I point microphones at my peers instead of Nerf guns. To grasp the emotions the participants were feeling, I embodied the spirit of a sports interviewer and approached unsuspecting friends and strangers alike. (Author’s Note: People tend to be more scared when you approach them with a microphone, compared to a loaded Nerf gun.)
Is this your first time participating in Nerf events?
Interviewee #1: Yes, it’s our first time.
Does joining this event as a first timer feel intimidating?
Interviewee #1: It does feel intimidating, but I am here with my friends - that is exciting.
Interviewee #2: I am intimidated, especially since it’s the vampire theme she (pointing at interviewee #1) is excited to see Edward Cullen, she wants a Cullen…but I am scared, I don’t know how it’s going to go.
Temu Edward Cullen? (jokingly) Or Taobao? Shopee?
Interviewee #2: Shopee ya.
What made you want to join this event today?
Interviewee #2: Honestly, I came just to support my friends; they’re part of the committee. Also, just have a fun time, you know, it is the beginning of the semester… not that much to do, so I figured, ‘Why not?’
Interviewee #1: Ya, it seemed like it would be a fun time with my friends, because it's vampires—like Twilight! ...I hope they’re playing some of the songs. (hoa hoa hoa hoa hoa). (Side conversation: Bella, where the hell have you been, Loca?) It’s vampires, I would like to become a vampire. I hope they bite me.
It seems like the theme change from last year’s ‘NERF vs ZOMBIES’ to this year’s ‘NERF vs VAMPIRES’ has piqued the curiosity of students – a talk trigger for all media Vampire-related (Twilight, Dracula, or Carmilla, whatever suits your fancy). That is not the only change this year; this event is in collaboration with UNM’s Netball Society and Archery Society, which led to people from various clubs coming to this year’s event.
As a non-member, do you feel as though marketing for this event was compelling?
Interviewee #3: The marketing of the event was really great, like shooting half-naked people with guns in the middle of the SA circle—get context to that—was an amazing marketing strategy.
I will spoil you with the context: as promotion for the event, SRS had a booth in the SA circle where students were allowed to shoot popular fictional vampires, a shirtless Edward Cullen included.
What are your past experiences with NERF events?
Interviewee #4: The atmosphere is nice; everyone’s super friendly – even the guys, when they get really into it, will rope us in. Once, I got yelled at: ' Get into the vanguard position!’ And I was like, ‘Okay!’
Did that make you want to join this event today?
Interviewee #5: It was partly experience from my past events and partly because I know that this is a good way to relieve stress, shooting a bunch of people, plus the aesthetic is great.
Interviewee #6: I have been part of this society for about two years, and this is the sequel to the event they had last time, ‘NERF vs ZOMBIES’. So, I thought it would be interesting, and a bunch of my classmates are committee members. I came here to support and because it’s really fun!
A lot of students seem to know their way around these games and are frequent participants in past events. If there is anything we know about the hallmark of what makes a great event - it is the returning participants who are in for a guaranteed fun.
Despite how I wished to be part of the action, interviewing participants amidst all of the havoc—asking people reloading their magazines how many vampires they have shot or if they’ve ‘gone over to the other side’ (joined the vampires)—gave me a fresh outlook on the event. As a good and responsible club, SRS has strict rules to ensure the safety of everyone taking part in the event, even though I tried convincing the President that I could take a few shots at the head. Indeed, her idea was better, considering our school clinic has been ‘out of office’ for a few months. Avoiding my own detriment and the unhappiness of players by interrupting their game play, I stayed out of the game until sluggish, yet happy players started trickling back into the room. With huffs of tiredness and words reliving funny moments during the game escaping their mouths, players soon found spots to rest their languid bodies – only for a sheepish and weariless me to approach them, microphone in hand, with more questions.
How do you feel now vs the beginning? Do you feel less stressed or more stressed?
Interviewee #1: Less stressed, super less stressed. So fun.
Interviewee #2: I feel less stressed. I feel hot. I feel sweaty.
Interviewee #5: I am so tired, but I am not stressed.
Interviewee #6: Before, I think I was pretty scared and anxious, but after the event, I think I just feel tired - I just want to sleep.
Interviewee #7: A bit tired, the adrenaline rush just tires you out, but it’s a good kind of tired, you know? Feels good, feels relaxing, feels like a good fun game. Relive your childhood.
Has this event given you the opportunity to meet new people?
Interviewee #1: I think so. It was more of an instance of, ‘Hey, hold onto me, ‘Ya, I’ll hold on to you.’
Interviewee #2: For me, I feel like it solidified the friendships I already had. I feel we have a special bond now, like we survived this together, and we can survive anything life throws at us now—we are in it for life.
Interviewee #5: You know, funnily enough, it restored my faith in humanity because my glasses got knocked off my face, and the big boss at the end just picked my glasses up and gave them back to me, asking me if I was okay, and walked away. So, hey, I had a lot of fun.
Interviewee #7: Yup, new people or connect again with people I have met previously through previous events, but I don’t see them that often outside of these events, so it is good to hang out with them again.
While the Event Facilitator was concluding the event, I realized I was sitting next to a committee member who played as one of the Vampires in the game, and I was quick to aim a microphone in their direction.
What was your experience of being a vampire in this game?
Vampire Actor #1: When I heard we were doing NERF vs VAMPIRES, I was like, damn, that is such an interesting concept, because usually we do zombies. This was a ‘let’s step outside of the box’, something different. I wanted to be a vampire, and I had the costume, so I was like why not. Being the vampire in the game itself was fun because you get to chase people around, but you must be mindful of certain things, like don’t slip, don’t fall on top of people, and it is also very tiring, but you can aura farm, so it’s like a good point.
I even managed to sneak in a small interview with Stress Relief Society’s President, Janani, among all the chaos.
As the President, how do you feel post-game?
Janani: Stressed. But it was okay. I think a lot of people had fun, but it was a bit scary for some people, but you know what, it’s okay.
Ever wondered what type of stress UNM’s Stress Relief Society committee goes through to ensure a stress-free event for participants? Well, you are in luck, because I was invited to the dry run of the event—behind the scenes with the ones who called the shots (I need to give the Nerf puns a rest).
Despite being invited to the dry run to conduct committee interviews, I still felt like I was intruding on something serious and professional, where my laptop and I were safety hazards. Among the committee members in circles discussing minor switches or concerns and containers overflowing with Nerf guns of all variations, I sheepishly took out my charger for my dying laptop, wondering if I was a tripping hazard. Later, shrouded in darkness while the committee goes for a test round of the event, the laptop’s glow lights up my face as I clatter away on the keyboard.
I am not terrorising these committee members without reason; I am here to interview them. Sitting down with various committee members, we get a better grasp of the humble beginnings of this tradition and the thought put into bringing these ideas to fruition.
What is it you aim to provide for the UNM student body through events like this?
Mia (Vice President of SRS): For this event, specifically, we really wanted to bring back the energy we felt during NERF vs ZOMBIES last year because it was one of the biggest events we have held in the history of SRS, and, well, since everyone liked it, why not bring a little twist this year? Hence, ‘NERF vs VAMPIRES.’ So, it’s just a place where you can maybe live out your dreams of hunting vampires and even of hunting your own friends when you get turned into a vampire– it’s for the nerds basically.
With events like NERF or other events you had in the past, like crochet, how do you ensure that these are accessible for beginners?
Janani (President of SRS): For Nerf, specifically for beginners, we make sure participants know exactly how the event is going to go. At the start, we brief them on the general rules and the gameplay: how the game should go, what you should shoot, and what your mission is. We want to ensure it’s clear for beginners and that they know exactly what they’re getting into.
Regarding crafting events like crocheting, Mia added:
Mia: We strive to make all of our craft events accessible for beginners. For example, we purposefully choose very basic patterns and teach the basics before letting participants do whatever they want. So, the person handling the event, of course, must be experienced, and we do hold dry runs to see if our committee, who can sometimes be a little clueless (it’s just me, by the way), can do it and ensure it’s suitable for both beginners and seasoned crafters.
I also got to witness a glimpse into their humble beginnings:
Aril (Event Facilitator of SRS): As far as I know, SRS started in 2017—I think that was one of those pre-pandemic years, and it was really one of those clubs that wanted to do everything to make sure that students had a good experience. I came into the picture in 2022, out of nowhere, when Nerf Society had died down, and I was like, ‘You know what?—Physical stress relief is one of those things that’s kind of missing in SRS.’ So I thought, ‘Let’s bring that into the picture.’ Obviously, it was a hit.
Dry runs truly are the backbone of these events. While waiting patiently (and safely) for a window of time to do the interviews, committee members from all three clubs swiftly did a trial run and came back to the starting point with smiles and pointers on how to ensure a swift and enjoyable event for the next day. I also had the opportunity to interview some members of the other clubs.
What is your experience organizing this event and collaborating with other clubs?
Jong Sheng (Secretary of Archery Club): I wouldn’t say that the Archery Club is currently in an organizing position. We’re collaborating with SRS, and this experience has opened up opportunities for more collaboration agreements with other clubs. This ‘NERF vs VAMPIRES’ concept is an eye-opener; it really brings out the skills of every individual uniquely, ultimately contributing to creating a better event.
Afiqah (President of Netball Club): Honestly, this is our first time collaborating with another club, and I find it quite interesting and fun to work with other clubs– especially one that isn't a sports club for a change. It is quite fun seeing other people work on their events.
Alas, with anything well-loved and popular, it comes with its preconceived notions and criticisms:
Some activities like Nerf or crocheting come with a social label of being more ‘masculine or ‘feminine’ even if there is no inherent reason for that. How does SRS approach the activities in a way that resists these gendered expectations and supports inclusivity for people of all genders?
Mia: So in SRS, we do want it to be a safe space for everyone, regardless of gender, sexuality, race, because at the end of the day, SRS is about destressing; prejudices don’t belong in our society. So, even though we have some more ‘masculine’ events like NERF, we do strive to protect the safety of everyone - we even have an all-girls NERF event for those who aren't comfortable playing with men, such as the recent SRS x ISOC collaboration. Since NERF can get rowdy, we do have policies in place to prevent stuff like harassment or rough play to cultivate a safe space for everyone.
Janani: I wouldn’t say violent, but these Nerf events are definitely more rough and a hands-on kind of game. But I've noticed that for the women, they usually love that cause it really gives you the space to just run around and have fun and– you know–be a kid again.
To reduce SRS to just NERF events would be wrong of us; after all, it is a society dedicated to relieving stress in various other ways:
Question: Despite NERF being your most popular event, SRS is so much more than that. Could you expand on that?
Janani: When I joined SRS, one of the first major events that we had was our regular NERF sessions, and I think that kind of built up a perception of people thinking SRS is all about NERF. From the perspective of a committee member of SRS and also the President, as I said just now, our idea is to help students relieve stress, both mentally and physically. For example, we do a lot of crafting events, not only to chill and lie back, but also to have some physicality. Sometimes people don’t realize the importance of moving their bodies around, even just a bit, and to have that adrenaline rush. That is basically how I want people to think that we are focusing on two aspects of stress relief, not just NERF itself.
And so with the inside scoop on the popular event that is the beloved Nerf events brought to you by the one and only Stress Relief Society, this sham of a sports interviewer is out! A sham or not, I can not lie, I do rather enjoy cornering my peers with questions instead of foam bullets. Catch you next time, ready to pull the trigger on my microphone!
Thank you SRS for giving IGNITE the opportunity to cover your event! Get to know more about UNM’s Stress Relief Society by finding them on Instagram here: @srs_unm
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