FAQ's - READ ME
We want your experience at Boston Paintball to be a fun one - and as least stressful as possible, so please be sure to read through all of the information!
How old do you have to be to play?
You must be at least 10 years to play at Boston Paintball. Anyone under 18 must have a Boston Paintball release of liability form (click here) signed by someone over 18. Spectators in the players area must also be at least 10 years old and number of spectators is limited to 4 per reserved group. We kindly ask that you make other arrangements for children under the age of 10 as they will be restricted to the lobby / store area ONLY - and will NOT be allowed where the group / players will be while they are here.
Boston Paintball is open 7 days a week for reservations as well as walk on play. We try to make it as easy as we can for you to come in and play - but part of making it easy means preparing us for your arrival when possible.
1) Players may walk in to play from 3PM on Monday - Friday. Groups with 6 players or more may make a reservation AT LEAST a FULL 24 hours in advance in order to play before 3pm during the week. On holidays and during school vacations - walk ons may come in anytime during regular business hours.
2) We strongly suggest that groups with 6 or more MAKE ADVANCE GUARANTEED RESERVATIONS by submitting one of our game reservation forms at least 24 hours in advance ESPECIALLY on weekends. Please also keep in mind that while the business opens at 12pm during the week - we need time to set up the field which is why we will take reservation during the week from 1pm on Monday - Friday.
3) We do offer pre-paid group rates to groups of 10 or more (when reservations / payment in full is made at least 48 hours in advance) and we offer many options when it comes to the type of reservation that best fits your needs. We're not saying you can't just show up - because you can - but with our easy reservation system - you can avoid any possible wait time and make your day of paintball even more enjoyable!
4) We cannot guarantee ANY same day reservations nor can we guarantee that without a formal reservation (Made in advance with one of our online options) that you're group will be able to play exactly when you want - but we always do our best to accommodate you.
Please remember that rainy days, weekends and School Vacations are EXTREMELY busy!
Reservations and advance payment in full at time of reservation (at least 48 hours in advance) are necessary for all package rates - such as the Small / Large Group Package Rates (Discounted Rates are NOT available during Holidays and School Vacations).
I do NOT want to fill out a form - so what are my options?
The only way we can ever 100% guarantee anyone that they will play on the day and time they want is if they make a formal reservation using the online forms at least 24 hours in advance (48 hours on group rates). While we understand that the form isn't the most convenient thing - there are several factors that can affect our ability to take your group as a walk on the day of. 1) Rain and cold are always a major factor in how busy we are. Groups that we cannot run at our outdoor field who have reservations are always given the option to move their reservation to the indoor field. Knowing in advance what we have for reservations indoors already can determine whether we move equipment indoors as well. 2) We are always open for walk on players however there is sometimes a setup time required before we can get you on the field. If we do not know that you are coming - we may not be ready when you arrive. This could mean a wait time that could easily be avoided by guaranteeing us that you will in fact be here. 3) Staff. We staff our field according to reservations. We will not run more players than our day of staff allows for.
The types of reservations we offer allow flexibility & options to all groups - and best of all - it can in the end actually mean less of a headache for you.
When should we arrive?
Groups that have a Guaranteed reservation should arrive no sooner than 15 minutes before reserved time. If you are walking on (did not make a formal reservation with a deposit at least 24 hrs in advance) - you may do so at any time on weekends (see above info for weekday walk ons) but waiting time may vary during peak hours (weekends / vacations). All players must be registered to play one hour prior to closing time ( so if we close at 8pm you must be registered to play by 7pm) Last games go off 1/2 hr prior to closing.
Can I bring my own paint?
Boston Paintball is a field paint only facility. You May NOT bring your own paint. Players are always invited to bring any of our field paint they did not use back with them the next time they come in - but should store it properly (climate controlled environment) to ensure that there are no issues with it breaking in their marker the next time they try to use it.
What if I bought my paint in your stores?
Unfortunately that is not Field Paint and it cannot be used at our Indoor field. Paint bought in our stores MAY be used by players with their own equipment at our Outdoor field in Maynard Ma.
Can I use my own Equipment?
You sure can - however let's go through what you need to make sure you have in order to avoid a rental or purchase fee: a working Gun that is CLEAN!, A full face paintball mask, an Air tank that has not expired (tanks expire from every 3 to every 5 years - we will inspect it when you get here), a hopper, an elbow (for some guns) and a barrel bag (NOT a barrel plug!) Some items can be rented for a fee - and others may only be purchased for a fee. Please be sure you have your equipment dis-assembled and in a bag when you both enter and leave the building. Driving with an assembled paintball gun can get you arrested!
We do NOT allow regular cleats on our fields - please see the chart below before bringing them!
Does the paint wash out? Is it REAL Paint?
Boston Paintball uses only the best quality paints from RP Scherer on our playing fields. Our field paint is designed to wash easily out of clothing. Paintballs are not filled with real paint (like the kind you paint a house with!) - they are filled with colored, non-toxic oils and the shell is a gelatin capsule - similar to the coating on vitamins. There are many brands of less quality paint, as well as substitutes for actual paintballs out there however it can alter your playing experience which is why we use only the freshest, highest grade paint on our fields.
What do I need to wear / bring / leave at home?
We suggest that you wear long sleeves, long pants and sneakers. A couple of layers may also be beneficial (more padding). If you have knee pads / ski hat / baseball hat/ gloves you may want to bring them as well (the whole "padding" thing!) .The paint does wash out, but you may want to wear something you do not mind getting dirty. We have jumpsuits available to rent but they are adult sized and may be big on some smaller players. You may want to bring a change of clothing to go home in (the person who owns the car you came in might appreciate this!) . We do not rent gloves, supporters, hats or bandanas but we do carry many of these products in our pro-shop. Leave home anything of value - or plan on having a place to leave these things (wallets / purses) such as in a car or with a spectator. We do have lockers on site and sell locks for them in our vending machine (locks left on over night will be cut)
I have never played before. Is this for me?
We cater to players of all skill levels from complete beginners to tournament level players. At Boston Paintball we put only like players out on the field together, which means that beginner / rental players will only play with other beginner / rental players and more advanced players will only play with more advanced players. So..... rest assured that you / your group will only play with players of similar skill! When you come in you will simply fill out a waiver, register at the window by choosing which package you will need then you will head to an orientation where we will explain the rules of the games / the rules of the field and how the equipment works. Parents can see it now!
How do games work? How much paint do we need? Is there supervision?
Players will play as many games as they have paint for. There is no time limit on how long players may stay here but the paint is the determining factor on how long / how many games they will play during their time here. There is no guaranteed answer on how much paint we expect any person to use - but we can give an approximate answer - and that is most players average about 40-50 shots per game. Games run about 5 minutes apiece and we rotate groups onto the playing field - so time between games can average out to 10-15 minutes (on weekend days - less time when less busy). Players may purchase more paint at any point during their time here! There are referees on our playing fields at all times - and games are structured meaning it is not a free for all. Our number one concern at all times is player safety and we expect all the rules we cover in orientation to be followed. There is a 2 strike policy on the mask rule as well as the barrel bag rule. Players will receive a warning for their first infraction and will be asked to leave on their second. We suggest that all parents sit in on the orientation so there are no misunderstandings! Paintball is both safe and fun - as long as you play by the rules!
How do Birthday Parties work? THIS INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT!!!!!
Upon arrival your group will need to turn in waivers for everyone playing AND everyone that will be spectating (during peak hours the number of spectators will be limited to no more than 4 per reserved group). Due to insurance regulations - no one under the age of 10 will be allowed back where the players are staged (unfortunately this is where the pizza is served). Pizzas are ordered whenever your group would like and take between 30 and 45 minutes to arrive. Please keep in mind that they open at 11am so we cannot order before then. Your group will have it's own table that you may stay at for as long as the type of reservation you made permits! Pre-Paid birthday parties are considered Private Games which means the following: Your players will be the only players ON THE FIELD when you go out to play. You will be sharing the field with other groups - in other words you will take turns on the playing field but will be in a room with other groups when not playing. Each group is provided their own set of tables so you may bring anything you like (cake / food) and you will have those tables the entire time of your reservation. We do not book more than 4 groups in any one of our sessions (on weekends) so wait time between games is kept at a minimum - and groups are allowed time to eat / clean up & reload between games.
I want to bring a cake / food - is that ok?
You may bring in anything you like - except for alcohol (we do NOT allow anyone whom we feel may be under the influence of ANY substance to play paintball. We also do not refund any money to anyone refused play or asked to leave. Please pass this along!). You should bring extra paper plates and cups for anything you bring with you - and any necessary utensils (including something to cut the cake and light the candles - we try to have but lose, a LOT!!) If you have reserved a birthday party package we will provide cups and plates for the pizza and soda included in that package (for the # of players you have).
Do you have food there?
We have vending machines with snacks and drinks. There are several places that will deliver as well and there is a McDonalds just across the parking lot.
Do you have group rates?
Yes we do and they start with groups of 10 or more players! Check out our Group Rates!
We have a reservation - can it be rescheduled / cancelled?
There is a 5 business day advance reschedule policy for all prepaid group reservations. If you make a reservation within that time frame - or call to reschedule inside of the 5 business days you will be charged the rescheduling fee stated on your reservation form. Please make sure you read the policies as they apply to the type of reservation you are making (located on each Game Deposit Form). Standard reservations may cancel with 48 hours notice & may reschedule with minimum 24 hours notice. Any type of reservations that are rescheduled will have 30 days to give us their new date. Failure to schedule a date within 30 days of original reservation will lose any monies paid - or will be charged the deposit amount stated on their reservation form.
(Reservation and payment in advance required for all group discounts.)