Alva Review-Courier -

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — A dozen adults and teens wielding shields went full-on Braveheart in Darden Towe Park, clashing, slashing and smashing each other with foam-covered sticks.

It may seem like an odd way to make friends and bring families closer together, but members of Zorn Vongal, a local live-action role-play group, or LARP, say it works.

It's proved so successful, the group has worked with local agencies helping military families cope with post-traumatic stress disorder.

"There's sort of a kinship you make with the people around you. We hit each other for a while and then take wate...