Family Challenge

M

maxkimber

Joined
Dec 14, 2007
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This year I challenged my family to a "Biggest Loser" competition, which will end next month. I did this with the hopes everyone would lose a little weight for my next challenge.

My family has a few acres in PA mostly wooded. I am going to propose this challenge:

- One day in the wild - 0800 on day one to 1200 on day two.
- Nothing but the clothes on your back and one backpack (no tents)
- Must stay in 'woods' and have no intentional contact with anyone else

Yes, on the surface it seems very basic, but I am really the only one who is "into" survival. My biggest challenge will be getting anyone to participate. This is why I proposed it here first, any ideas on how to get other to participate? I need to find a motivating factor. For the "Biggest Loser," everyone who participated gave $20 so there is a kitty for the winner.

Am I missing any rules/guidelines?

Thanks in advance...
Max
 
Man, I wanna play. Sounds fun.
 
You might do some teaching and offer gear lists/choices, and reasons, so they feel somewhat prepared. You could even outfit the packs, and give everyone the same basic pack. Give them something to learn about, so they are motivated to try it in real life.
 
Well, if you do the second challenge right at the close of the first, just tell them there's a cheeseburger buried in the woods somewhere and the first one to find it gets it.
 
I wanna play too. We should have some kind of BFC thing like that. If you have kids, you could probably motivate them by reading them some survival stories like robinson carusoe or hatchet (if they are really young) and offering up a cool prize. I don't know about your wife but maybe take her shopping or something if she wins.
 
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Max,

I think conflict resolution is going to be your biggest challenge. A talk with the family on the topic would be good.

I think you will learn a LOT about yourself and your family dynamics.

TF
 
If they'd go along with you on the entire concept, I'd strongly recommend a trial week-end, demonstrating skills, essential elements, and distinctions between utility and extravagance items.

Water rationing, insect protection, and body warmth conservation would be elements I'd stress. Next would be safety in tool using and fire containment.

Could be fun. Could be something else.


Be safe.





Kis
enjoy every sandwich
 
maxkimber said:
Yes, on the surface it seems very basic, but I am really the only one who is "into" survival. My biggest challenge will be getting anyone to participate. This is why I proposed it here first, any ideas on how to get other to participate? I need to find a motivating factor. For the "Biggest Loser," everyone who participated gave $20 so there is a kitty for the winner.

Am I missing any rules/guidelines?

Thanks in advance...
Max
Click to expand...

I think more information is needed - ages, genders, like/dislike of camping, outdoors etc.

Here's my thinking, if you have a young family who isn't really into the outdoors, but you hope one day they will be, emphasiziing that the outdoors can be something that must be endured, could be counter productive. Just my 2 cents, of course.

Doc
 
I'm with Doc, I believe getting the family to believe the outdoors is a privelage rather than something that has to be endured will have a better affect on the family. That said I have had no luck with my wife, but on a fellow formites suggestion I got my
daughter(3) into it, by camping in the back yard a couple of nights. Funny enough I saw more wildlife there than most times in the forrests!

However sounds like a fun game to play.
 
DOC-CANADA said:
I think more information is needed - ages, genders, like/dislike of camping, outdoors etc.

Here's my thinking, if you have a young family who isn't really into the outdoors, but you hope one day they will be, emphasiziing that the outdoors can be something that must be endured, could be counter productive. Just my 2 cents, of course.

Doc
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the comments thus far. Here is a little more info:

I am speaking mainly about my siblings, all older than I (35+yrs old), and perhaps some of the older nephews/nieces. Maybe teams, an adult with a teen? So there is a potential of about 11-15 participants.

I would provide guidance prior to the event. Note, nobody would be further than, say, 5-7 acres from a 'safety' on property that we all frequented our whole lives. Plus, everyone would have a cell phone.

Could there be a real "winner?" What if everyone stays in the woods the entire time? Maybe just have a huge cookout (pig roast) at the conclusion...
 
3wolves said:
I wanna play too. We should have some kind of BFC thing like that. If you have kids, you could probably motivate them by reading them some survival stories like robinson carusoe or hatchet (if they are really young) and offering up a cool prize. I don't know about your wife but maybe take her shopping or something if she wins.
Click to expand...

Ok - this is the "wife" speaking and while I think that your suggestion for shopping as a prize is a great idea; I have to say that there is no prize big enough that would get me to spend a night in the woods:barf:!:D:D

I just don't get the whole "surviving in the woods for no reason thing." :confused: Why?? Why?? Why??

Signed: Mrs. Maxkimber
 
maxkimber said:
Ok - this is the "wife" speaking and while I think that your suggestion for shopping as a prize is a great idea; I have to say that there is no prize big enough that would get me to spend a night in the woods:barf:!:D:D

I just don't get the whole "surviving in the woods for no reason thing." :confused: Why?? Why?? Why??

Signed: Mrs. Maxkimber
Click to expand...



If Mama ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy. :D
 
I poked through the other responses, lots of good thoughts. I work with youth, so my thoughts might not be applicable. But if I was going to do this with a group of kids, I'd have to give them some basic training before, wouldn't have to be too involved. But I'd want to give them some tasks or goals other than surviving.

I love the wilderness, but I myself have yet to develop a love for complete solitude in the wilderness. If I have something to do: reading, building something; something to accomplish and work on, it makes it much easier for me.

I'd say give them at least something make them comfortable overnight. A tarp, bug spray, etc... You don't want to ruin them during this!

I'm actually thinking through doing this with some students as a type of silence venture, but I'm thinking more upfront teaching than anything else. Possibly using it as right-of-passage experience for those graduating.

Let us know how it goes!
 
I wanna play too...that sounds like my kind of fun...might have to see if I can wrangle a few buddies to try it at the farm...
 
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