SOURCE: /mnt/d/GoogleDrive/Cercetasi/carti-camp-jocuri/dragon.sleepdeprived.ca/camping/CampThemeBookII.pdf
CONVERTED: 2025-01-11
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Camp
Themes
Book II
Compiled by: Dana Weatherell
April 2003
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Introduction
Putting Book One together, was my Stage Two goal. Book two grew from the popularity of the
first one and the many wonderful ideas from Guiders all over the world who I communicate with
through a mailing list on the Internet that just keep coming! Thank you to all who shared your
camp ideas and experiences that gave this book the content to work with.
I have to also personally thank both Joanne Chase and Tracey Gowan for their help with this
edition. I ran into a little glich and needed someone to proof it for me. They both took time out of
their busy lives to proof this book and come up with wording to fill in for the little magazine bug
that showed up everywhere (don’t ask). Also a big Thanks to Saskia Morton and Anne Flood who
are publishing this on their sites for your easy reference. Thank you all for your help. Without it
this would not be published in April of 2003!
Book two is more than twice the size of the first one and I hope that you all enjoy it and use it till
the pages start to fall apart. Please share with anyone you would like however, please give credit
where credit is due. These ideas are not mine, I just put them all together into this one resource.
As with the first, some of the themes presented are fully detailed camps while others are just
enough to tweak your imagination and get you started.
Survivor seemed to be the most popular topic. There are over 45 pages of ideas here including
fully planned camps, activities and campfires. The book is over 100 pages long so be considerate
of your toner cartridge! You may want to review the index to find a theme you are interested in.
I won’t promise a third edition however; I do have a few that didn’t make this cut again so who
knows what the future may bring. If you have any theme ideas or a list of helpful websites you’d
like to add, feel free to contact me.
I should note that there is not one standard dictionary used. As we are from all over I left most
spelling as they were so you may see color or colour. We all know the right way to spell it right ;-)
Keep on camping everyone and have a blast doing it!
Dana Weatherell
Ontario, Canada
ggc_dana@yahoo.ca
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Alphabetical Index
Survivor Camp .......................................................................................................................4
Mediaeval Camp Theme.......................................................................................................49
Space Odyssey 2001............................................................................................................56
Spa Camp 2001 ...................................................................................................................60
Mystery Camp .....................................................................................................................62
Raiders of the Lost Camp......................................................................................................70
Camp Stake-Out...................................................................................................................71
Jungle Safari Camp..............................................................................................................72
Girl Power Day Camp...........................................................................................................74
Harry Potter .........................................................................................................................75
Flower Power Camp and Blast from the Past..........................................................................83
Dinosaurs / Jurassic Park......................................................................................................85
Native Americans .................................................................................................................85
Olympic Games....................................................................................................................85
International.........................................................................................................................86
Old-Fashioned Camp............................................................................................................86
Dig For Victory .....................................................................................................................86
Canadian themed Crafts.......................................................................................................87
Fairyland Camp....................................................................................................................88
Mom & Me...........................................................................................................................89
Hollywood and Start Theme..................................................................................................96
Little Camp on the Praire......................................................................................................97
Mexican Camp Theme..........................................................................................................98
Winter Carnival Camp...........................................................................................................99
Halloween Camp................................................................................................................100
Fairyland Adventures..........................................................................................................111
Other Theme Ideas.............................................................................................................114
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Pathfinder Survivor Camp Ideas
From Susie McCormick, Richmond, BC:
I just wanted to thank everyone who in the past has shared their survivor ideas. This past
weekend we had a survivor camp with 8 of our girls. They had a blast. We started Friday night
when they picked names for their tribes, received their fabric ties/bandanas and made a tribe
poster. I had brought Barbies to use for the Barbie raft challenge someone posted and they
proceeded to cloth Barbie in scraps from their fabric.
Saturday morning they received their first mail. Their challenges for the morning were to
following a compass trail. Build a shelter, build a fire, and signal for food when completed. They
were allowed to take 2 items per girl. We had added tarps to their kit lists but we still had one
group of 4 girls who had no tarp. We bartered some extra chores for a spare tarp. We
completely forgot about the Barbie raft challenge after lunch but played a wilderness trivia game.
It the girls couldn’t come up with the answer they had to pick a number and eat the food behind
the door. The items were a snail, sardine, taro root, tomatillo, dog biscuit, Hershey’s kiss,
molasses toffee and coconut toffee. The first girl to go picked the snail. She took it looked at it
for a second and popped it into her mouth and chewed, never even wanting water. It was pretty
impressive. We also had a girl gag on the dog biscuit which put a small damper on the festivities
but we got them all back into the game after a couple of minutes.
We made dinner for the girls using the menus posted, rat meat loaf, rice, salad, and kitty litter
cake. One of their favourite parts of the whole thing was the voting. They voted for the most
helpful and the most ingenious. They would go into the other room write the name on a piece of
paper, fold it in half and put into the container. They did this with much fanfare talking to the
imaginary camera. When we were done they wanted to do more voting even though we didn’t
have any more prizes. They kept making new category suggestions. Sunday we let them sleep
and have the day to themselves.
We were impressed at how well the girls all worked together, there were no little cliques. They
pushed the bunks together so they had eight bunks making a square with the heads all together.
It was really a great camp.
*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*
From barrettis@ROGERS.COM: (a report on the Pathfinders Survival Day)
I would have to say a job well done to all those that made this event possible. Thank you so
much. All of the 221st Port Credit Pathfinders had a great time. The event was loud, energetic and
full of fun activities – just like Pathfinders and Leaders like. We were split up into 8 tribes of
approx. 30 (I ended up in a tribe with none of my girls) which encouraged us to make new friends
(I happened to meet a Pathfinder guider who is just across the highway in Applewood & of course
we exchange phone #’s and email addresses for future get togethers). First we had introductions
and standard safety rules. Then there was a wonderful motivational speaker/actress who was
hilarious. She really got their attention and reached into the life of a teenager and gave them 4
points on how to succeed in life. (Definite relationship challenge there). After that we split up into
the bead colour on our pins (These were given to us to distribute to our units in our registration
package) – our tribe. From there it became a round robin in different locations throughout the
school, so I’m just going to list the events as they occurred for the YELLOW SUNBUROS. From
there is 1) Meet your fellow tribe members, cut
3 – 1”x 24” strips of yellow cloth to make headbands, & make a poster/banner to represent your
tribe 2) Make a chant, play, song, etc. to represent your tribe and rally the crowd. We would have
to present this later on.
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3) Survivor challenge – you have been forced to make an emergency landing, you will be staying
in one place until rescued, no one is injured... list in order the importance of the 15 items in the
middle of the room from 1 – 15. First do it individually then as a group (we were split into 4
smaller groups to make discussion easier). Then we heard the expert answers and had to
determine if we did better as an individual or as a group. Most did better as a group.
4) Make a beadie snail (Yum)
5) Do nail polish and hair wraps (what every girl needs to know to survive)
6) Dinner – lots of pizza, veggie sticks & cake
7) Make chocolate in molds that would be survivor food (I made a rat, a mouse & a spider)
8) Make a flowerpot survivor doll
9) International station (how to survive in India) which was a round robin in itself. There were
displays all around the room. There was a welcome ceremony (which I passed on the fertility &
many children part), mendi tattooing, different foods, sari dresses and there were two ladies
actually dressing the participants (Very interesting to see how the one strip of fabric is wrapped
and pleated to make the sari) – I apologize if I have misspelled or stated any of this part as it was
all new to me.
10) Cooperation game- blanket volleyball. Lastly, we headed back to the auditorium to present
our chants. Very loud is an understatement. Fun, fun, fun. Yes. The girls were wound up but
managed to say Taps very controlled. Then we went home-chattering all the way.
Last challenge we have – next meeting is to sit as a group and try to figure out all the challenges
we covered. And there were lots. SuzanneJ”
*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*
Survivor Camp ideas
The following were all provided to me by Katie from Byram, NJ who received many ideas from
others:
From: GSTroop2896@aol.com
It has taken me a while to get to this but here is what we did for our Survivor Theme activities:
1. Blindfolded activity – five girls per team
Props: blindfolds, 2 hula hoops per team, 2 balls per team (size of basketballs)
Game: all girls from each team were blindfolded, with the exception of one per team (leader); the
leader from each team throws the ball for the opposite team; the blindfolded girls must then get to
this ball, bringing it back to the finish line with the help of directions given by their team leader; to
do this, they must step only within the hula hoop that they have placed on the ground heading
toward the ball; to begin this trek, they all must be standing in the first hula hoop before moving
into the next one; once everyone is in the next hoop, the last person to enter must turn around to
pick up the hoop they just vacated and pass it through to the front girl who then places it in the
direction of where the ball landed; once reaching where the ball landed, they pick it up, returning
to the finish line in the same fashion as they used to get to the ball
2. Blockout activity (I think I got this idea from the list you sent me earlier)
Props: 8x11 sheets of paper with a large X on one side of each piece (these sheets are laid with
the X facing down to the floor in the shape of a block – we created a block of 10 by 10 sheets)
Game: each girl picks a starting point on any edge of the block; the object is to be the last girl
remaining on the block; each girl takes a turn moving one space at a time (forward, backward or
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sideways – no diagonal) and as they move, they turn the paper over they just stepped from so
that the X is showing – signifying a space that can no longer be used in this round; as each girl
takes their turn, they have to keep in mind that they want to block someone else, while still being
able to move themselves in a future turn; if a girl can no longer move, they are out of the game
3. Hoop shoot
Props: basketball hoop and ball
Game: each team chose two girls from their team who then lined up behind a designated line,
alternating team members; after a few practice shots, each girl got a total of ten shots each
(taking one shot at a time, moving to the end of the line until each girl had shot ten shots); the
team with the most baskets won
4. Food wheel Props: beets, feta cheese, olives, piece of snickers bar, prune juice, small
shrimp, piece of carrot stick, piece of salami, gummi worms and raw onion piece
Game: each food item was printed on a small piece of paper, folded and placed in a container;
each team determined the order of participation by each member; as their turn came, each girl
picked a piece of paper from the container that determined what they would be eating –
alternating between teams; the winning team is determined by how many members actually ate
what fate chose for them
As a side note, we scored by giving ten points to the winning team and five to the losing – and our
teams tied – I kept telling them they were simply a winning troop (some didn’t buy that as
someone needed to win, in their minds)...
~*~*~*~*~*
SURVIVOR Challenge Game
The Goal: To think logically how to take your moves so you eliminate the other players and
remain the final person standing.
How to Set up:
Set papers on the floor in rows – as many as the room can hold. Paper should have an X on one
side – put X side down.
4-6 girls stand on the outside of the room.
How to Play:
With each “move” the girls make, they step onto one sheet of paper.
On the second move, they turn over the paper (to an X) they were previously stepping on, making
it unavailable for anyone else to move onto or cross over.
Continue moves, one at a time, until a girl can make no move. She is eliminated.
Moves must be to an adjoining paper forward, backward, sideways (no diagonal).
You may not step onto a turned over paper (with an X).
You may not cross over a turned over paper.
Continue until only one player is left.
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Strategy comes into play, as they girls need to consider how to eliminate each other with well
placed moves.
*~*~*~*~*
From: Lela C. Arnes, Houston, Texas
What a great idea for a camp. I think the girls will love the theme and format, while the leaders
and parents will enjoy the focus on skill building and teamwork/cooperation that Girl Scouts will
bring to the event. You could have the girls use a map/compass to find their hidden snack or to
get riddles/puzzles that they need to work on together to answer. There are several websites that
help you put together word search or crossword puzzles on a specific topic so you could relate it
to an outdoor skill like first aid (http://www.puzzlemaker.com/, etc). You could do activities based
on “Leave No Trace” minimum impact camping, perhaps setting up a “spoof” unsafe/environment
unfriendly campsite (i.e. too close to water source, pretend nails in tree to hang lantern,
inadequate fire ring, etc) and have the girls work together to list all the changes they would make
to protect the environment and make it a good campsite. You could also have a knot-tying relay
(cat of nine-tails game, or have them sit in a circle and tie a square knot joining their 2’ cord to that
of the girl’s on her left – eyes open or shut depending on their age – when done they put the circle
of joined ropes behind their backs and lean back against it...it will only hold them if each girl has
tied a solid square knot). You could also have the girls work together to lash a basic tripod.
Also, how about a way to reward teamwork, fair play, cooperation, and consideration for others...?
It could be a challenge based on a team-building game where they must rely on and work
together to complete the task, or it could be something the camp staff recognizes at the closing
ceremony. At Junior Skills Weekend (held by our council each year), the staff recognizes every
troop/group participating with a special certificate – whether it is the overall champion or best at
particular skill area, outstanding teamwork, best attitude, etc. The girls are very proud when they
hear what they’ve excelled at, it enables every group to “win” at the event, and hearing about
each group’s achievements encourages them to learn and practice more so that they do even
better the next year.
If you are interested in hearing more about our council’s event, please email me. Hope this is
useful – have fun!
*~*~*~*~*
One of my Cadets is doing a survivor weekend for Cadets & Seniors around weather for her
Silver Award. Here are some of her ideas:
Survivor Weekend Clue it into Weather Stuff Stranded on Alkor Island they have to survive the
weekend using their survival skills that they know and by learning how to read the weather to stay
safe and warm.
Saturday night break everyone up into teams. Give them the rules for the weekend. Warn them
about an emergency drill that could happen any time over the weekend and what they have to do.
Have everyone bring a gallon zip lock baggie and all the food they brought with them to the mess
hall. Let each team pool all their food together and make up a survival bag-o-goodies for the
weekend.
Activity Challenge
Give each team a weather related disaster and have them come up with a list of emergency
procedures I.e.: You’re on Alkor Island and a hurricane is about to hit. You can do hurricane,
flood, lightning strike fire, etc. You can even have them act it out. Be sure they include all the
things you have in the preparation lists from the Red Cross. Give out the pamphlets at the end of
the activity.
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Activity Challenge
How to survive without fresh water? Make your own little cloud!
Dig a hole in moist ground deep enough to put a cup in. Place cup in hole. On surface of the
ground stretch a piece of plastic wrap across hole and secure it with rocks. In the center of the
saran place a small stone to weigh it down so you are creating a run off over the cup. Leave it sit
in the sun all day. The heat from the sun will cause the moisture to evaporate from the soil and
collect as condensation on the saran. It will drip into the cup. The group with the most water
wins.
Activity
The barometer is falling – get out your rain gear! Make a barometer.
Activity Challenge
Build a lean-to that will protect 2 people from a storm that is coming in from the South. Give each
group: rope 2 trash bags a place in the woods 1 hour They may also use any items that they have
in their teams possession or on the property to do the job. Test the construction by placing 2 girls
in the structure and throw a bucket of water on it. Who ever comes out driest wins.
Activity Challenge
They have the barometer. Give them: Hammer, nails, precut wood, outdoor thermometer and
whatever else. Have them construct a weather station. Best one is mounted and stays as a
service project.
Activity
Have each team write a song about surviving the elements to sing at the camp fire
~*~*~*~*~*~*
From Shannon – mailto:THEANDERSON5@aol.com
I belong to the Pine to Prairie Council (ND), and our SU has been working on Brownie
Daycamp/Jr. & Cadet Overnight Camp for a while now, using the “Survivor” theme. We designed
our own patch and t-shirts to be awarded to the girls for surviving our camp! Some of the activities
include. Tiki torches for each unit to carry to each activity with their own unit flag (which they will
design upon arriving at camp). Blindfold island food taste off (grapes-frog eyes, pretzel sticks-
grasshopper legs, etc.) Build a shelter (unit is given a sheet, some rope, sticks etc,) to help
shelter them from hazardous island weather. Island Obstacle Course Challenge. Nature craft
companion, made from lg. Pine cone (similar to the Castaway movie). We’ll be grilling shish
kabobs of ham, summer sausage, veggies, and fruit over the fire for supper. We’re also working
on a cultural organization to come in and teach the girls a dance, story or craft in a tribal fashion.
There’s a lot you can do with this theme. End your evening with a tiki torch luau!
~*~*~*~*~*~*
From Carol – mailto:cisch@lg.com
What a fabulous idea for a camp! I was thinking of other possible challenges and thought about
the fun our troop had learning to use a 2 person saw.
5. You could have a “race” to see which group could saw 1 (or more) logs in two.
6. Knot tying would be another option – you could start by demonstrating some basic knots
(square, bow-line, etc.) and then have a relay race to see who can tie them right quickest.
7. Lashing would be another fun event. They could lash a tripod and then set up a washstand.
If there is concern about finding enough of the right size of wood – bring 1 ¼” dowel rods for
the girls to use.
8. Do a trail-marking hike. Have a team lay a trail with proper markings and then another team
takes the hike (making comments on the process) – then the teams switch and the other lays
the trail.
9. Do a recognition game (could be like “Jeopardy”) where you set up teams trying to identify
different pertinent items of the out doors; this could be tailored to the age range (creek, rock,
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maple tree for young Brownies – elm tree, poison ivy, cardinal for Juniors – deer tracks,
poplar tree, garter snake for Cadets – could identify trees, plants, animals, birds). This could
be done with drawings, photos, or real objects.
10. Another possible race type challenge is to set up a proper woodpile. Two long pieces under
to keep the wood dry, with wood properly separated and ready to go.
11. Another possible challenge would be to set up a temporary shelter. Give each group a poncho
(or ground cloth) and some twine and a time limit, and see what they come up with.
12. A sing out would be another fun thing for a challenge. Who know more songs.
~*~*~*~*~*
Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2001 17:56:46 –0600
From: Lela <earnes@CONCENTRIC.NET>
Subject: challenges – survivor style
the “survivors” had to build fires – have a “contest” with a ribbon to the patrol/troop that can burn
a string that is suspended about 18 inches above the ground, between two poles (tomato stakes
work well). They have to know how (or learn) fast how to make a fire in which the flames go UP.
The survivors had to find food and prepare it. At one event I attended long ago, the troop/.patrol
was issued ground meat, one potato per person, same with carrot, and dry onion, and the
challenge was to cook their dinner. Ala foil dinner! Or could be a group of ingredients (no recipe)
and the girls “challenge” is to create a “dish” – desserts (dump cake/cobbler types) are great fort
his.
The survivors had to build shelters. You could have the girls make an emergency shelter from a
dining fly. Or they could lash a table or some other camp item.
A communication challenge could be devised by using Morse Code, and having a message the
girls decipher.
The survivors had to keep dry. The challenge could be to do a “waterproof” bed roll (toss it in the
pool to test!). And no don’t use sleeping bags, use blankets and plastic ground cloth (as shown in
Worlds to Explore Handbook for Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts – borrow copy from council
library/archives). (Don’t know if its shown in Outdoor Education in Girl Scouting, might be, and a
resource that may be more available).
~*~*~*~*~*
SURVIVOR Encampment Agenda
December 2-3, 2000
9:00AM - Set up team arrives at Grey Koch
Set up:
registration table
Nametag tables (cover with tablecloths, set out scissors, 3 ft measures (with masking tape),
permanent markers, hole punch?, garbage can)
put up signs for coat areas per troop
Room A – Survival Criteria (Science)
Air – Egg experiment (Lindi to demo)
Water – bag w/ pencils
Food – bones experiment
Space – propulsion experiment (film canisters)
Floating – boat experiment (salt water & fresh water)
Room B – Snakie Hankies – MaryBeth
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spread plastic on floor
stack of aluminum trays/snakies
dye/cups/paintbrushes
Baggies to put snakes in when done (permanent markers for writing girls names on)
1 grocery bag per troop to hold all Baggies (write troop # on bag)
post tag board directions
Room C – Reward Challenge (Math)
lay out stepping stones (2 games)
place dice in room (2 per game)
scoreboard?
Post tag board directions
Room D – should have all mattresses in them – close off limits
blow up punch balls, & set aside in case we need them
set up/Create palm trees (Troop 1401?) out of carpet tubes/construction & craft paper
Dining Hall – all tables to be folded and set off to the side (do we need to move them if they
are taking up too much room?)
Kitchen - orientation at 11:30 with Eldo (Lindi)
• all food in fridge
• bags with Chix in Woods stuff set aside near stove/fruit too
• snack bags set out for Brownies to get later
• extra food station (in case of extreme hunger)
• make 2-3 Kool-Aid coolers
• make a water cooler?
• Learn how to use dishwasher
• set up hot/cold tables – how do they work
check out microphone – how does it work, where’s the control box
set up/tape off 10’x10’ area for guest speaker – place microphone and table in area
prepare fireplace for fire at evening
place boom box by microphone to play survivor music when people are arriving
figure out best place for flag placement/flag ceremony
Noon – Meeting with the Cadettes/Explanation of Agenda/Answer Questions
12:15 Turn on Music (throughout building?) & GS Law Song
12:30 Registration Table Staffed:
Tell troops upon checking in:
• When tribes check in, give them their packet of information. Contains:
• Rotation schedule
• Rotation explanations
• Name tags/decorations/ribbon
• Snack assembly Information
• Game Directions
• Evaluations/Pencils to be used after closing (please don’t give to girls
beforehand)
• Point out area for their tribe’s coats, etc.
• Point out bathrooms (men & women) & first aid area.
• First activity – make name tags at name tag table (supplies in packet)
• Then to – Welcome/Flag Ceremony in Dining Hall (please stay out of other rooms)
• Troops will need to have one girl help put flag up, another to bring flag down later –
girls to go to Room A to practice with Troop 1401
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12:30 Troop 1401 – as troops arrive, practice flag ceremony (up & down) with 1 girl from each
arriving troop in Room A (science room)
Flag Raising Ceremony:
All people form circle around flagpoles, standing at attention. The guard stands 2 by 2.
The Girl Scout in-charge stands to the side. Red sashes are worn around the waist by the
Color Guard, the Girl Scout In-Charge wears a red sash over her shoulder.
Girl Scout In-Charge: “Color guard, advance”
(The guard walks to the flag, salutes it. The bearer takes the flag)
Girl Scout In-Charge: “Color Guard, present colors”
(The color guard walks forward to the flagpole.)
Girl Scout In-Charge: “Color Guard, post the colors.”
(The guard & bearer unfold the flag. The bearer clips the flag on the rope and raises it.
The Color Guard remains at attention next to the flag.)
Girl Scout In-Charge: “Girl Scouts, honor the flag of your country.”
(The group salutes the American flag by placing their right hand over their heart.)
Girl Scout In-Charge: “Girl Scouts, recite the Pledge of Allegiance.”
(All recite the Pledge of Allegiance)
Girl Scout In-Charge: “Color Guard, dismissed.”
(Color Guard returns to the group.)
1:00 Welcome to all Tribes/Opening Ceremony – Lindi
Flag Ceremony – Cadette Troop 1401 & one representative from each troop
Song: When E’re You Make a Promise
Girl Scout Promise
Girl Scout Law Song
Some activities require breaking troops into half, with one half going to each area in the
room. This will encourage “Making New Friends”.
1:15 – 1:35 Rotation 1
1:40 – 2:00 Rotation 2
2:05 – 2:25 Rotation 3
Activities:
Room A – Survival Criteria (Science)- led by Lindi & Cadette or Senior
Air – Egg experiment (Lindi to demo)
Water – bag w/ pencils
Food – bones experiment
Space – propulsion experiment (film canisters)
Floating – boat experiment (salt water & fresh water)
Lindi & assistant to demo experiments first, then break to free exploration
Troops receive prize at end of time limit.
Room B – Snakie Hankies – led by MaryBeth & Cadette (for afternoon) or Seniors (evening)
A type of tye-dye hankies with fabric dye & paintbrushes…
girls to receive an aluminum tray to place her snake on (prewrapped)
draw face on snake with permanent marker
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dip paintbrush in dye & place color where desired
when done, fold aluminum tray in half with snake inside, and place in baggie (write girls
name on baggie with permanent marker) - include washing instructions?
Troop leader to put all Baggies in troop grocery bag for distribution at home
Room C – Reward Challenge (Math) – led by Cadettes or Seniors
2 games will go on in the room. Troops to break into half – one half going to each game (to Make
New Friends…)
2 teams form (as close to equal numbers as possible).
Each team lines up in front of “stones” crossing the river.
First girl rolls dice – add numbers together:
If the sum is: (like baseball)
2-4 – counts as an out
5-7 – move ahead one (single)
8-10 – move ahead two (double)
11 – move ahead three (triple)
12 - move ahead four
Next team goes (separate set of stones)
Team 1 rolls again – as this player moves ahead, so does the first player (if they move 2, so does
player #1)
Every time a team crosses the river, they score a point.
At end of time, team with most points wins. (but all receive the prize \”/)
Attending Cadette or Senior gives each troop leader the baggie with their prize in it.
2:30 Snack – Mice (all together in Dining Hall – sit on floor)
Lindi to announce that we will swap after snack – older girls to demo
Troop leader to pick up bag from kitchen with Snack supplies / directions for Mice (rice cake –
spread peanut butter – add vanilla wafer ears – licorice whiskers – choc chip eyes/nose) and “bug
juice” (Kool-Aid)
Troop leaders to help girls assemble/eat & clean up after themselves
Girls can exchange swaps until 2:55. Older girls to encourage/demonstrate the trading process
Survivor music turned on again – Junior & Senior troops begin to arrive for check in
Clean up Rooms A, B, C, - clear for game at 2:45 (move everything off to the side to be reset
later)
2:45 Check in begins for Junior/Senior troops
Tell troops:
• When tribes check in, give them their packet of information. Contains:
• Rotation schedule
• Rotation explanations
• Name tags/decorations/ribbon
• Game Information
• Dinner recipes
• Memory Books/Pencils (one per girl – please give to girls when directed)
• Songbooks (one for every 2 people, please return on Sunday)
• Copy of Rededication Ceremony
• Evaluations
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• Your tribe’s assigned “Law” to be read at the Tribal Summit
• Point out area for their tribe’s coats, etc.
• Point out bathrooms (men & women) & first aid area.
• First Activity – make name tags at name tag table (materials in packet)
• Then to – Guest Speaker in Dining Hall (please stay out of other rooms)
• Please save swapping until later
• Each troop will need one adult to hold a tiki during the Tribal Summit later, and one
girl to read a segment of the GS Law (enclosed in your packet)
2:55 Lindi: Tribes return to their last rotation room to play “Survivor Challenge”
(Sheep & Hyena – from Playing Around the World Try-It) Cadettes explain & supervise
• 2 games go on in each room (15 people each).
• Troops split in half, with one half of their troop going to each game.
13. Players join hands and form a tight circle.
14. The hyena stays outside the circle. The sheep stays inside the circle.
15. The players in the circle have to try to keep the hyena from breaking through the circle
to get to the sheep. The game ends when the hyena gets the sheep or gets too tired to
go after the sheep anymore.
16. Two other people become the sheep and hyena.
3:10 All tribes proceed to Dining Hall for presentation from Raptor Center.
We need to allow a 10-foot by 10-foot area for their presentation (because of the birds), so
encourage everyone to sit outside this area.
3:15 Lindi: Welcome older girls, Introduce guest speaker
Brownies: summarization of game (what does this teach them of survival?)
3:15-4:15 Presentation by Kari from the Raptor Center.
During presentation time, set up Rooms A, B, C for Junior/Cadette/Senior activities during dinner
prep:
Room A - Snakie Hankie Wrap
Room B - Face Painting
Room C - Survivor Challenge Game
4:15 Closing Ceremony – led by Lindi
Awards –
Flag Lowering – Cadette Troop 1401 & one representative from each troop
Flag Lowering Ceremony
All people form circle around flagpoles, standing at attention. The guard stands 2 by 2.
The Girl Scout in-charge stands to the side. Red sashes are worn around the waist by the
Color Guard, the Girl Scout In-Charge wears a red sash over her shoulder.
Girl Scout In-Charge: “Color Guard, advance”
(Bearer and Guards approach the pole, 2 by 2)
Girl Scout In-Charge: “Color Guard, retire the colors.”
(All people put hands over their hearts. The Bearer lowers the flag. The Guards hold it
while the Bearer unclips it. At last clip being removed, all people may remove their hands
from their hearts. All fold it appropriately. The Bearer holds it.) At Encampment, we will
be removing the flag on the pole (no folding).
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Girl Scout In-Charge: “Color Guard, retire.”
(Guard walks back, 2 by 2, and hands leader the flag.)
Girl Scout In-Charge: “Color Guard, dismissed.”
(Guard rejoins the group.)
Song: “Make New Friends” (sing as a round?)
Friendship Squeeze
Brownies Depart
Complete/Turn In Surveys to check-in table- Receive NLSU Patches
Junior/Cadette/Senior Portion
4:30 “Tribal Council“ for Junior/Cadette/Senior troops (welcome) – Lindi
Explanation of evening’s events
Some activities require breaking troops into half, with one half going to each area in the room.
This will encourage “Making New Friends”.
5th grade Juniors to set up tables in Dining Hall during dinner prep time
4:45 Dinner prep by 6th grade Juniors
Other troops exchange swaps & visit self-directed activities:
hang rope for troop dunk bags – 1 Senior to assist with questions/how to’s
Survivor Challenge Game – 1 Senior to teach
wrap Snakie Hankies – 1 Senior to demonstrate
Face Painting
Music/Songs – 2 Seniors to lead songs
Memory Books
Set up tables for dinner (5th grade Juniors)
5:30 Dinner – Dining Hall
Troops to be called to serving line by Lindi
Clean-up (one girl per troop to assist with group clean-up)
Each troop responsible for cleaning their own dishes – cleaning station set up outside, hang dunk
bags on their troop’s rope to dry.
6:30 Explanation of Wide Game – Predator/Prey in Dining Hall
Seniors to break up so a few with each group (& to show spirit & make it fun!)
Start warming water for hot chocolate afterwards
Build fire in the fireplace
Set up rotation stations in Rooms A, B, C
7:15 Tribes begin to return from Game, help themselves to hot chocolate
Gather in Dining Hall for summarization of game (what does this teach them of survival?)
7:35 Rotation 1
Seniors to lead – 1 in Math room (game), 2 in craft room, 2 in science room
(refer to explanations under Brownie area. But Math game, multiplication, not addition)
8:00 Rotation 2 (Seniors lead science segment on their own this time? With Senior
Leader supervision? – so Lindi can set up for Tribal Summit)
Tribes help clean up their area, setting items aside for use in the morning.
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8:35 “Tribal Summit” – (Rededication) in Dining Hall (or outside if weather is really lovely)
Girls to line up 2x2 in the entry hall (by troop/tribe) to proceed into the Dining Hall when called
upon.
Before we begin, caution the girls we will be having a tiki & candlelight ceremony,
that caution is necessary. Readers/Seniors get candles, Leaders tikies.
Investiture or Rededication Ceremony
Room Set-up:
On dark side of program room, have one adult from each troop hold 1 tiki torch (10 total) along
the front (for the 10 parts of the GS Law), 3 tikies in the center of the room (for the 3 parts of the
GS promise), and table with 1 taper candle in candleholder & Leader (to be our first lit candle to
light other candles). Girls from each troop who will read the Law segments step forward next to
their leader with the tiki when their troop comes in. They receive a taper, which will be lit.
Senior GS readers also receive a taper. Troops line up in entry hall to proceed into ceremony.
Leader calls troops/tribes one at a time, proceeding quietly into the Dining Hall, forming a semi-
circle around the tikies. Leaders with Tikies step forward; readers step up by tikis/their leaders.
Sing: “Girl Scouts Together” during procession (pg 17 Songbook), repeat until all in room.
Senior #1: All around us is darkness. I light this small candle (single taper on table) and it is no
longer dark. Although this is a tiny flame and it lights only a small area, all of us can see it. Each
one of us knows it is here and could find the way to it. Though tiny, it is a beacon to every one of
us, and this tiny light can grow, and be multiplied, if someone would come to join it. (Senior #1
lights her candle off the taper, & lights Senior #2, who shares with Senior #3, etc. until all Seniors
candles are lit)
Senior #2: Now the flame is brighter, lights a bigger area, and we can see more than before.
But this is only a beginning, for once there is light and people who are willing to share it, it will
grow. As it is shared, it will become bigger until all who want it can have the light. (Last Senior to
light first troop reader’s candle)
Senior #3: (Troop readers share flame) see how fast the light can spread. Notice how well you
can see now. This light makes it possible for us to see our friends, see their smiles, and their
actions. And others can see our light.
Senior #4: As this light brightens our group, our light as true Girl Scouts can brighten our own
lives and the lives of others. The smallest light held by the least of us is important to the whole
world. On becoming Girl Scouts, we make a commitment. It is embodied in our Laws and
Promise. We will light a tiki for each one of our Laws.
(10 girls take turns reading the following laws, light the tiki by her, and blow out their taper)
1) I will do my best to be honest and fair. I am a Girl Scout. You may entrust to me your
innermost thoughts. I tell the truth and do my work honestly. I show no favoritism. I am true
to the things I think are right and good. I will respect the rights of every individual.
17. I will do my best to be friendly and helpful. I am a Girl Scout. I try to serve my
fellow people, to help where I am needed. I will wear a friendly smile and willingly do each
daily task. I will cheerfully do a service whether I like it or not.
3) I will do my best to be considerate and caring. I am a Girl Scout. It shall be my personal
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privilege to do all I can for others whether it be with my hands, words spoken to a friend in
need, or the offering of an understanding heart. It is my deep desire to be courteous to those
about me beyond the daily need and to search for little thoughtful things to do, not just for the
praise I might receive.
4) I will do my best to be courageous and strong. I am a Girl Scout. I will stand up to
challenges with a positive attitude, and support those around me when they need to be
courageous and strong.
5) I will do my best to be responsible for what I say and do. Only I can control the words and
actions that can show kindness or harshness. I will strive to be a positive light in the world,
showing respect and empathy for all people. I am a Girl Scout.
6) I will do my best to show respect for myself and others. I am a Girl Scout. I will direct my
thoughts to worthwhile things, so I may be an influence to those around me.
7) I will do my best to respect authority. I am a Girl Scout. It is my special duty to
respect the laws of my community and the request of those who are responsible for
me. By respecting authority, I set an example for others to follow.
8) I will do my best to use resources wisely. I am a Girl Scout. I will not misuse
material, time or energy. I use resources wisely so I may have more to share with
others so that our resources may outlast our time.
9) I will do my best to make the world a better place. I am a Girl Scout. I
will care for all living things. I will take an active interest in my environment.
18. I will do my best to be a sister to every Girl Scout. I extend a helping hand to those
about me, thinking not in terms of color, race, or creed, asking only that I may help
where it is needed. I am a Girl Scout. I am proud to offer this gift of service.
Senior #5: Now we will light the three candles that stand for the three parts of our Promise.
Watch the tikies take up the flame to shine on all of us as we say the Girl Scout Promise as a
rededication.
Troop Reader: “Girl Scouts, please join me in reciting our Girl Scout Promise”
(as Promise is being read, she lights each of the 3 tikies, then blows out her taper)
On my honor, I will try
To serve God and my country
To help people at all times
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.
Song: “When ’er You Make a Promise” (first time together, then as a round), pg 18 Songbook
Give the Girl Scout Handshake to those on either side of you.
Song: “On My Honor”, pg 18 Songbook
Put tikies out. Proceed out quietly.
Song: On My Honor
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Chorus: On my honor, I will try
There’s a duty to be done and I say “aye”
There’s a reason here for a reason above
My honor is to try and my duty is to love.
People don’t need to know my name
If I’ve done any harm, then I’m to blame
If I’ve helped another, then I’ve helped me
If I’ve opened up my eyes to see
I’ve tucked away a song or two
If you’re feeling low, there’s one for you.
If you need a friend, then I will come.
And, there’s plenty more where I come from.
Chorus
Come with me where a fire burns bright,
We can even see better in a candle’s light
And we’ll find more meaning in a campfire’s glow
Then we’ll ever learn in a year or so.
We’ve made a promise to always keep
To pray “Softly Falls” before we sleep
We’ll be Girl Scouts together, and when we’re gone,
We’ll still be a tryin’ and a singin’ this song.
Chorus
Put tikies out. Proceed out quietly.
9:00 Troop free time:
Campfires outside if they like
S’more makings can be picked up in the kitchen (in prepackaged bags by troop)
Unpack cars/Set up sleeping areas when ready
11:00 Prepare for bed
11:30 Lights out / Quiet please
Sunday Morning – December 3, 2000
7:30 Wake up – Survivor music turned on
Breakfast on own
Clean up their sleeping area – pack up gear/load cars
Troops to help set up last rotation activity
9:00 Morning Ceremony in Dining Hall
Flag up Ceremony – led by Seniors with one representative from each troop
9:15 Last Rotation
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9:45 Closing Ceremony – Lindi
Flag down Ceremony – led by Seniors with one representative from each troop
Awards to Tribes – Lindi
Song: GS Law Song?
10:15 Final clean-up –
Troops clean up & vacuum sleeping areas
Pitch in to clean up common areas
Tribes turn in evaluations at check-in table to Lindi (I’ll check their areas are cleaned up) –
then receive NLSU patches
------------DEPARTURE ----------
SPECIAL THANKS TO TROOPS 1401 AND 1094
FOR ALL THEIR HELP AND SUPPORT!!
Encampment Saturday Dinner Instructions
Le Menu:
Chicken in the Woods
Chow Mien Noodles
Skewered Fruit Assortment
Bread & Butter
Kool-aid/Lemonade
Coffee (adults)
Wash hands & put on gloves
Chicken in the woods
(different from the one in the troop book – follow these directions –
depending on size of large pots)
We’ll make 3 large pots of Chix in the Woods. Into each pot add:
4 cans of chicken – do not drain
1 cans Cream of Celery soup
1 cans Cream of Chicken soup
5 cans mixed vegetables (Veg-all)
5 vegetable cans of milk
10 cups of Minute Rice
Mix all the ingredients in a large pan. Heat on stove, stirring occasionally until rice is done. Let
sit for 5 minutes before serving. Place in serving pan on hot table.
(Is served over (with) chow mien noodles.) Open 8 bags of chow mien noodles & put in serving
pan on hot table next to Chix in the Woods. Replenish as needed.
Fruit Skewers
We’ll keep all the fruit separate, so people can take what they want, and a skewer, and
skewer at the tables.
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Open 3 cans of pineapple, drain and put in pan on cold table.**
Open 3 cans of sliced peaches, drain and put in pan on cold table.**
** Can be replenished with 4th can if needed
Wash 3 bags of apples. Cut with apple corer/slicer. Cut each wedge in half. Put in pan on cold
table, and pour 1 jar of orange juice over top – stir. (to keep from browning)
Peel & cut bananas. Put in pan on cold table, and pour 1 jar of orange juice over top – stir.
(to keep from browning)
Set out bread & butter
Make coffee/lemonade/coffee – if needs to be refreshed
SURVIVOR CHALLENGE
Predator-Prey Game
Girls are divided into 5 groups, Lions, Hyenas, Cheetahs, Zebras, and Gazelles.
Lions were allowed to capture any people from another group.
Hyenas and Cheetahs could capture Zebras and Gazelles but not each other.
Zebras and Gazelles could not capture any other group.
All of the lions had to stay together, all of the hyenas had to stay together, etc...
Head outside, in search of Food, Shelter, and Water
(fluorescent tag with the word Food, Shelter or Water written on it)
hidden in different portions of the camp.
Lions were required to find 4 Food, 4 Shelter, and 4 Water.
Hyenas and Cheetahs were required to find 2 of each.
Zebras and Gazelles were required to find only 1 of each.
Capturing 10 people counted for 1 Food.
When groups encountered each other, the leaders would count 1, 2, 3 and then scream out what
animal they were. The higher food chain animal would then chase the lower food chain animal for
30 seconds, capturing as many as they could by tagging them.
If you were tagged, you become part of that group.
After 30 minutes, the game is called off, and all animals can safely return to the base
for an analysis. (Did they find all of their requirements? How many people did they capture?)
Note: If girls are using the buddy system; if you or your buddy is caught, then both
of girls become the animal that caught them.
SURVIVOR Encampment Agenda
December 2-3, 2000
Rotation Activity Explanations
Survival Criteria (Science Activities – Room A):
Air – Egg Experiment (demonstration only) – need air to survive
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Water – Water pressure observation & hands on activity – if needed to gather water to
survive
Food – Calcium demo & hands on
Space – Propulsion – demo & hands on – (would be nice to have if “surviving” in space)
Floating – Boat experiment – salt/fresh water (hands on)
Snakie Hankies (Craft Activity – Room B):
Caution should be used as fabric dyes will stain clothes
Daisy/Brownies – take one snake per girl, and an aluminum tray
Junior/Cad/Sr – need to wrap their snakie during dinner prep, and bring to area
1. Troop leader get grocery bag, write Troop number on bag (to collect baggies at end)
2. take off GS vest if wearing one
3. place Snakie Hankie on tray – draw on face if desired
4. using paintbrushes, place fabric dye on desired area of Snakie
5. continue until Snakie is completely covered with dye
6. fold aluminum pan in half, with Snakie inside (if extra dye in pan, pour into dump bucket)
7. write girls name on baggie (permanent marker), place pan/Snakie in baggie
8. put washing directions in baggie (cold water wash, by itself)
9. put baggies in Troop grocery bag (to be handled by leader, and given to girls when they
reunite with their parents)
Reward Challenge (Math Activity – Room C):
Two games will go on in the room. Troops to break into half – one half going to each game
19. Form 2 teams (as close to equal numbers as possible).
20. Each team lines up in front of “stones” crossing the river.
21. First girl rolls dice – multiply numbers together:
22. If the product is: (like baseball)
23. 6 – counts as an out
7 – 18 – move ahead one (single)
19 – 27 – move ahead two (double)
28 – 35- move ahead three (triple)
36 – go all the way across the river (home run)
24. Next team goes (separate set of stones)
25. Team 1 rolls again – as this player moves ahead, so does the first player
(if they move 2, so does player #1)
26. Every time a team crosses the river, they score a point.
27. At end of allotted time, team with most points wins. (but all receive the prize \”/)
Snakie-Hankie Directions
Materials per girl:
1 handkerchief (we found ours at a Dollar Store – a pkg of 3 for $1)
1 floral wire, & a bit of masking tape
about 1 yard cotton twine
dyes
Ziploc baggie – sandwich size
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Directions:
1. Wrap a small piece of masking tape around one end of the floral wire (so wire won’t poke
through material, and give a bit of roundness to the head of the snakie).
2. Lay handkerchief out flat. Place wire diagonally on top of hankie, keeping masking-taped-tip
of wire about 1” from corner.
3. Fold corner over tip of wire. Center twine under edge & tie a head on end of wire (kind of in
the middle of the twine, so the remaining ends are about equal length).
4. Scrunch/fold remaining fabric around length of wire. Use loose ends of twine to wrap around
& secure, with a similar x-style as a ballerina wraps her toe shoes around her ankle & up her
calf. Tie off twine at opposite end of fabric/wire (the tail of the snakie).
5. Now snakie can be bent in a variety of positions (s-pattern, etc.)
6. With a permanent marker, draw on eyes, mouth, forked tongue on head of snake. Write girl’s
name on piece of masking tape & wrap masking tape around tail of snake.
7. Place Snakie on an aluminum tray (or plate – something to catch the excess dye). Dip
paintbrushes in dye & place color on snakie in desired pattern/places.
8. When done, put snakie in Ziploc to send home with the girl. Write girls name & troop number
on baggie with permanent marker.
9. Washing directions: Wash separately in cold water. Line dry. (We included little washing
direction slips in the Ziploc going home).
Notes:
• We placed a large sheet of plastic under our work area (9’x12’). Girls were warned that they
would be working with fabric dyes – so they wouldn’t wear their best clothes.
• We mixed strong batches of Rit dyes, and placed small containers of a variety of colors in
several spots on the sheet of plastic – all within arms reach of each girl (to eliminate moving
around/spills).
• To save time, we prewrapped the snakies for the Brownies (they only needed to dye), but let
the Junior & older girls wrap their own.
Have fun!
~*~*~*~*
Survivors Widegame
Kylie – mailto:kyliedwyer@cqnet.com.au
(indoors or outdoors; 12yo – Leaders, at least six players. Can be as quick and simple or long
and complex as you need to suit the participants)
You’ll need a mast (post/pole), sail (old sheet) attached to top, lots of ropes of different lengths
and thickness, gadget wood, bucket with handle, bucket without handle. Use your imagination to
make other props for a ship deck.
Scene – (make this fun by acting it out – drama on the high seas!) everyone was on a old sailing
ship at sea, a sudden storm tore the sail, broke the rudder, caused major damage etc. To make it
back to safe harbour, the players need to: (modify this depending on level of knot knowledge)
beginner level –
*reattach the sail – tie sail to chair leg or ? – Sheetbend (bend the ‘sheet’ – sailor term for the sail)
*rescue lines for players ‘in the water’ – Bow line
*reef knots and round turn two half hitches to secure buckets, ‘oars’, whatever
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28. clove hitch on mast to provide safety rail on each side of the ship
more experienced – add –
ship is breaking up and they need to make a raft...
*any and every type of lashing you can think of for raft
*include guying a pole for sail/ shade
*tie down all salvaged supplies (can include decide what to keep)
*make and attach rudder
*etc, etc....
if it is safe to do so, make it more precarious by limiting what part of the floor they are allowed to
touch, then stand back and enjoy watching!
*~*~**~*~*~
From: The4Cherries <the4cherries@EROLS.COM>
Hi everyone!
I want to thank everyone who sent me ideas for our Survivor weekend. The weekend went really
well, the girls had 4 challenges including figuring out how to survive on the little food that we had
for the weekend (the earned extra food items with their challenges). The challenges were a
survival hike with a simulated bear and snake experience and using their survival kits to make a
fire to stay warm and heat the water they had collected in the balloons in their kits. The other
challenges included building a shelter, collecting water with their bandanas (which was poured
over the shelter to see how water proof it was), building a raft that could hold the weight of Barbie
and creating solar ovens to cook their lunch. It was a lot of fun! And, for the most part, a great
team building experience. Our younger girls (all 5th graders) were in the same group and our
older girls (all 7th graders) were in the other group –the girls got to choose their groups. Well the
7th graders worked really well together, but the 5th graders are all type A personalities, all first-
born children who think everything should be there way. So my co-leader and I suggested that
they elect a “group leader” to help run things more smoothly. This was a disaster. This little girl
who used to be really quiet, took on a dictator type rule of things. Which of course after a long day
led to a blow up mutiny type of situation. It was an experience.
SURVIVOR INFO
CHALLENGES:
Episode 1 – Quest for Fire
Description: A symbolic race for fire held on the Sand Spit, an s-shaped sand bar located one
mile off Palau Taiga. The object was to alternately float and carry a cauldron of fire from a
position 50 yards offshore to the finish line, which was delineated by a 20-foot high Fire Spirit. In
addition, teams had to light a succession of torches between start and finish, with the winner
being the first to light all their torches and the Fire Spirit. Winning Tribe Gets: Immunity and 50
waterproof matches
Episode 2 – Buggin Out
Description: Bug-eating competition. The bug of choice was a butok, or beetle larvae. The live
butok is three inches long and a half-inch around. Winning Tribe Gets: Immunity
Episode 3 Reward – Treasure Chest
Description: A treasure chest is submerged 150 yards off the Sand Spit. Each tribe must swim out
to the treasure chest. Once the entire tribe has arrived, they must dive down and work as a group
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to drag the chest along the ocean bottom back to shore. First tribe to haul their chest ashore and
open it wins. Winning Tribe Gets: Reward – snorkel, mask, fins, fishing spear.
Episode 3 Immunity – Rescue Mission
Description: A cooperative effort to rescue an “injured” tribe member from deep in the jungle.
Starting on the rocky beach near Bird Island, tribes dash into the jungle carrying a stretcher. The
first team to locate their injured tribe member, load her onto the stretcher, and carry her back to
the beach to the first aid station, wins. Winning Tribe Gets: Immunity
Episode 4 Reward – Distress Signal
Description: In a fictitious scenario, a plane flies over the island. The castaways must build a
distress signal on the beach to attract the pilot’s attention. Best distress signal wins. Winning
Tribe Gets: A cache of spices, a sharp knife, hammocks, and other comforts dropped by
parachute.
Episode 4 Immunity – Buried Treasure
Description: A combination relay race/treasure hunt. Held on Ramis Beach, a windless cove on
Pula Tiga’s southern side, Buried Treasure asked tribes to find a buried treasure map, then the
treasure itself. In order, the relay legs leading to the final objective were swimming, floating bridge
balance, rowing, jungle running, and then digging for the treasure. Winning Tribe Gets: Immunity
Episode 5 Reward – Choose Your Weapon
Description: An accuracy contest consisting of three disciplines: blow dart, slingshot, and spear
throwing. One person per discipline competed for each tribe. Winning Tribe Gets: Fresh fruit and
three live chickens.
Episode 5 Immunity – Shipwrecked
Description: A kayak race, where one team member picks up other team members bobbing in the
ocean. Winning Tribe Gets: Immunity
Episode 6 Reward – Abandoned Barracks
Description: A nighttime romp through abandoned buildings, searching for survival items with the
assistance of night-vision goggles. Winning Tribe Gets: Canned food, chocolate, Meals Ready to
Eat (MREs).
Episode 6 Immunity – Obstacle Course
Description: A military-style obstacle course. Winning Tribe Gets: Immunity
Episode 7 Immunity – Snake Island Relay
Description: A combination breath-holding competition and underwater swim race.
Winning Castaway Gets: Immunity.
Episode 8 Reward – Archery
Description: An archery competition Winning Castaway Gets: To Watch a Video From Home.
Episode 8 Immunity – End of the Line
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Description: Castaways were clipped to a length of rope by carabineer, and then sprinted along a
jungle trail, staying attached to the rope the entire time.
Winning Castaway Gets: Immunity.
Episode 9 Reward – Out on a Limb
Description: Castaways navigate a ropes course set up in the jungle canopy. First castaway to
collect 16 medallions – one for each segment of the course – wins Winning Castaway Gets:
Barbecue dinner, letters from home.
Episode 9 Immunity – Squared Off
Description: A game of chess with human beings as the pieces. The game board is made of 100
2’ x 2’ pieces of plywood. Castaways may move one step at a time, flipping over the piece of
wood on which they had previously been standing as they go. Castaways cannot step onto a
piece that has been flipped over. Last castaway able to move from one piece to another wins.
Winning Castaway Gets: Immunity.
Episode 10 Reward – Bamboozled
Description: A combination balance/elimination competition involving a tightrope race across
segments of bamboo poles. Winning Castaway Gets: A pizza and a phone call home.
Episode 10 Immunity – Fast Fire
Description: A fire starting competition Winning Castaway Gets: Immunity.
Episode 11 Reward – Survivor Quiz Show
Description: Castaways answer a variety of questions about island living. Winning Castaway
Gets: A night on the Sipadan Princess.
Episode 11 Immunity – Walk the Plank
Description: A contest of balance Winning Castaway Gets: Immunity.
Episode 12 Reward – Mud Pack
Description: Castaways pay a visit to the mud volcano, coat their bodies in mud.
Winning Castaway Gets: Bud Light, a night at the Survivor Bar, food and a chance to watch a
beginning portion of the first episode of the show.
Episode 12 Immunity – Witch Hunt
Description: Castaways armed with video recorders charge through the jungle in search of hand-
carved idols. Winning Castaway Gets: Immunity.
Episode 13 Immunity # 1 – Fallen Comrades
Description: A test of knowledge about former castaways. Winning Castaway Gets: Immunity.
Episode 13 Immunity #2 – Hands on a Hard Idol
Description: A rite of passage involving a fire walk, slathering of mud, then placing one hand on
the Immunity Idol. Winning Castaway Gets: Immunity.
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LUXURY ITEMS:
Kelly – bead bag Greg – Frisbee
Richard – journal Gretchen – toothbrush
Rudy – toothbrush Joel – shampoo
Susan – tweezers Dirk – Bible
Sean – razor Ramona – journal
Colleen – soap Stacey – camera and film
Gervase – playing cards B.B. – towel
Jenna – journal Sonja – ukulele
*****************************************************
the “survivors” had to build fires – have a “contest” with a ribbon to the patrol/troop that can burn
a string that is suspended about 18 inches above the ground, between two poles (tomato stakes
work well). They have to know how (or learn) fast how to make a fire in which the flames go UP.
The survivors had to find food and prepare it. At one event I attended long ago, the troop/.patrol
was issued ground meat, one potato per person, same with carrot, and dry onion, and the
challenge was to cook their dinner. Ala foil dinner! Or could be a group of ingredients (no recipe)
and the girls “challenge” is to create a “dish” – desserts (dump cake/cobbler types) are great fort
his.
The survivors had to build shelters. You could have the girls make an emergency shelter from a
dining fly. Or they could lash a table or some other camp item.
A communication challenge could be devised by using Morse code, and having a message the
girls decipher.
The survivors had to keep dry. The challenge could be to do a “waterproof” bed roll (toss it in the
pool to test!). And no don’t use sleeping bags, use blankets and plastic ground cloth (as shown in
Worlds to Explore Handbook for Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts – borrow copy from council
library/archives). (Don’t know if its shown in Outdoor Education in Girl Scouting, might be, and a
resource that may be more available).
**********************************************
JUNGLE RELAY (by the maroon unit) Brownies
“Survival in the jungle often means protection from wild animals. We are going to simulate 2
wild animals today—the boa constrictor and the dreaded mosquito. In the case of the mosquito,
mosquito netting to cover yourself is a must.”
Girls are in a line. Wind PA with thick rope first. Timing begins when the 1st girl begins unwinding
the PA while winding up herself using spinning action. Repeat this to move “snake” down the
line. PA at end, point b, unwinds last girl and takes the snake. At point A, “mosquito miss”
begins.
1st two people put on netting and run to point C, one returns to A and gets another girl under the
net and runs to point C, repeat until everyone is at point C (or 1 and 2 go to point C, 2 returns, 2
and 3 go to point C, 3 returns, etc.)
Stop timing after the last 2 girls reach point C. Divide the score by the number of girls and record
it.
Bring everything back to little house.
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Equipment needed:
JUNGLE RELAY
Mosquito net
Rope
Stopwatch
Poster/marker
KIM’S LADDER (old green unit) Brownies
“To survive in the jungle, you have to stay sharp and focused, being very aware of your
surroundings. This game will test that awareness and your memory.”
Create a pattern on the ground using bamboo sticks and enough survival/jungle items for one for
each girl. (Find out from Mrs. Hess in advance). Have this ready and hidden under a blanket
before the unit arrives. Don’t give any hints or tell them how many items are there!
Unveil the pattern for 10 seconds and then recover. Let the girls draw what they remember on
newsprint. When they are done, score 1 point for every misplaced item and 2 points for every
missed item.
Record score and bring everything back to Little House.
Equipment needed:
KIMS LADDER
Bamboo sticks
22 items (survival, jungle)
Blanket
Newsprint
Marker
Stopwatch
Poster
SURVIVAL CREATIVITY (units) Brownies
“You have survived a plane crash and are alive and well in the jungle. You don’t know where you
are, exactly. Suppose you did not get rescued right away. What are things you would require in
order to survive? (Encourage answers like shelter, food, water, a fire for cooking, etc.) There
were, fortunately, some items that were recovered from the plane as well as many natural items
found in the jungle. You need to think of ways to use them to help you survive or at least be
comfortable.” (The answers can be silly).
Use the same number of junk items as number of girls (find out from Mrs. Hess in advance).
Allow about ½ hour to 40 minutes.
Record all responses on newsprint. More than one use for an item is encouraged. Bring
everything to Little House when finished.
Equipment needed:
SURVIVAL CREATIVITY
29. Items
Watch
Newsprint/marker
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ROPE MAZE (old maroon unit) Brownies
“Navigating in a jungle can be very tricky, especially in weeds and brush, limbs and vines.
Your challenge is to make your way through a jungle of ropes.”
Put one girl at the beginning of a colored rope and one girl at the end of the same colored rope.
For an odd number, she won’t need someone at the end of the rope. At “go”, time starts on
counter. All girls on start end slide the caribbeaners along their rope to end point. In some
places they may have to unclip and reclip. When they reach the end, the girl there goes back
over the same rope to starting point. Game ends when everyone reaches start. The odd person
does both directions.
Note time and record. Bring everything but the ropes back to Little House.
Equipment needed:
ROPE MAZE
11 colors rope
11 clips
Stopwatch
Poster/marker11 caribbeaners
Maze: Connect one rope at one tree to another tree, to another tree, to another tree. Connect
the next rope to a different tree, to another tree(can be one that was previously used), etc. Each
rope starts at a different tree than the other ropes and ends at a different tree than the other
ropes. There should be much crisscrossing of ropes.
BLINDFOLD WALK (old maroon unit) Juniors/Cadettes
“Survival at night can be very tricky especially if you are trying to get from one location to
another. Your other senses become more important. In this game, we will test your listening
skills as you move from point A to point B though a jungle maze.”
Girls are stationed at the start points of a rope color. They are blindfolded. A partner navigator is
assigned to each one. One girl holds a carribeanner at the beginning of her rope and moves it
down her rope color and time begins. The girls will have to unclip and reclip using the navigators’
instructions. Another girl starts after the first girl reaches a tree or branches (intersection). A third
girl begins when the second reaches a tree or branch, etc. Time ends when all the girls are at the
end of their rope.
Record this time. Score will be time divided by the # of girls.
Bring all materials back to Little House except rope.
Equipment needed:
BLINDFOLD WALK
11 colors rope
11 clips
5 blindfolds
Stopwatch
Poster/marker
11 caribbeaners
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Maze: Connect one rope at one tree to another tree, to another tree, to another tree. Connect
the next rope to a different tree, to another tree(can be one that was previously used), etc. Each
rope starts at a different tree than the other ropes and ends at a different tree than the other
ropes. There should be much crisscrossing of ropes.
TARGET PRACTICE (south side of water pump) Brownies
“Surviving in the jungle for any length of time may require hunting for food. It is important
that your aim be good. This challenge tests your ability to shoot accurately. Our weapon today
isn’t guns, knives, or spears. We are using water balloons.”
Create a course with 4 points. A girl should be stationed at each point. One girl is next to a
bucket of water balloons. She throws it to the girl at the 2nd station, who throws it to the girl at the
third station, who throws it to the girl at the 4th station, who throws it into another bucket by the 1st
bucket. Rotate girls.
Use course above marked in advance with flags.
Game ends when original people are back at their starting points.
Score-- # of balloons intact in bucket divided by #of girls (it will be a fraction). Record.
Bring everything back to Little House when finished.
Equipment needed:
TARGET PRACTICE
balloons
bucket
poster/marker2 buckets
COMPASS TREASURE HUNT (field) Juniors
“Finding your way around unfamiliar territories is a key survival skill. Your challenge today is
to use a compass to find your way to a particular location. From there, you will be directed to a
treasure.”
All girls will travel to specific points (in this case a circle—don’t tell them until they are all there)
Time how long it takes to get there and record. After they are all at the final point, tell them they
need to find the center of the circle to find a clue in order to find the treasure.
Bring everything back to Little House.
Equipment needed:
COMPASS TREASURE HUNT
11 compasses
treasure
stopwatch
poster/marker
SPIDER WEB (by red unit) Juniors/Cadettes
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“To survive as a team requires working together to get through and out of tight spots. We
literally have some tight spots to get through. You need to plan how to get everyone through in
order to make this challenge work.”
Create a 2 dimensional vertical rope maze between two trees. The spaces should be big enough
for a girl to be passed through.
Use all the spaces only once unless you have more girls than spaces. In that case, use all the
holes before allowing a hole to be used twice. Put a small forked twig on one of the ropes. If it
falls off, scores one point. At the end record the score. The lowest score wins.
Bring everything back to Little House when you are finished for the day.
Equipment needed:
SPIDER WEB
rope
stopwatch
poster/marker
MOVING TARGET (south side of water pump) Juniors/Cadettes
“When trying to survive for a very long time, you may have to learn to hunt your food. Your
shooting accuracy becomes very important. This game will test that accuracy with a moving
target.”
Use hula hoop thrown from one girl to another. A third girl tries to throw a water balloon through
the hoop to another girl directly across from her. If it goes thru the hoop, one point is scored. If it
goes through the hoop and is caught by the girl across from her, another point is scored. After
one balloon is thrown, the girls rotate stations.
Score # points divided by # girls playing.
Bring everything back to Little House.
Equipment needed:
MOVING TARGET
hula hoop
water balloons
2 buckets
poster/marker
WATER PULLEY (near Boy’s unit) Juniors/Cadettes
“Surviving for even a short amount of time requires water to drink. If building a shelter, you
might want to locate it away from a creek or stream in order to stay dry during periods of flooding.
You may want to find ways to get water to the shelter easily, however. This challenge tests how
quickly you can get water from point A to point B and also tests your building skills.”
Be sure to set up bell before playing.
At go: the girls build a contraption out of stick, string, duct tape that will ring the bell when pulled
up. This is attached to one end of the rope. They must also be filling up cups with water to pour
into the bucket with hole at the other end of the rope.
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Time starts at “go”, and ends at the bell ringing.
Bring string, tape, cups, timer, cardboard, marker, and bell back to Little House when finished.
Equipment needed:
WATER PULLEY
bucket with hole
rope
Small platform
Bell
22 cups
Duct tape
Twine
Poster/marker
Stopwatch
SHACKLED (in front of Little House) Juniors/Cadettes
“Survival in the jungle for some people is more than hunting for food, water and shelter. For
some, it was and still is in some places avoiding being captured to become a slave. Many people
whose home was the jungle throughout history were treated very badly. The challenge for you is
to experience being enslaved and then to gain your freedom through good coordination and
thinking skills.”
Note: would probably change this game to use locks with keys instead of combination locks.
The course should be set up with flags ahead of time with combinations
Pair girls across from one another. Wrap chains around the ankles of the girls opposite each
other. Make sure they are fairly tight around their ankles so the shackles don’t slip off. (Have
them put on ankle wraps with duct tape to keep the wraps closed. Move down close to their feet).
Lock the locks. Let them practice moving together. They may have to count or say “inside,
outside” to refer to their foot movement.
Time starts when they leave the starting point. They move through the course collecting
combinations to the locks. Everyone will have to try their lock since they do not know if the
combination belongs to their lock. Time ends when everyone is free. Free people can help the
shackled ones as needed. Record score and divide by the number of players. Bring all
equipment back to Little House.
Equipment needed:
SHACKLED
2 large tubes with holes (plastic drainage pipes)
11 chains threaded through holes in tubes
11 locks
11 combinations
Stopwatch
22 ankle wraps
Duct tape
Poster/marker
****************************************************
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30. Challenge: Eat an insect. We tied gummy worms to strings and held them overhead. The
players had to keep their hands behind their backs and eat the worm.
31. Challenge: scavenger hunt in the dark through leaves and muck. We blindfolded the
players, and had them crawl on the floor looking for items that would be useful if you were
stranded like the Survivors. We had flashlights, compasses, toilet paper rolls, hammers,
pocketknives, water bottles, etc. all jumbled up with things like rubber snakes, fake
tarantulas and rats, etc.
32. Challenge: Build a raft. We had wooden paint stirrers donated by the hardware store, and
twine and pocket knives. They had to tie the paint stirrers together with the twine in the shape
of a raft.
33. Challenge: Build a fire. We had about a dozen flashlights, of varying sizes, and a whole pile
of batteries, of varying sizes, some good and some dead. First one to find batteries to make
one of the flashlights work wins.
******************************************************
My girls had their campout this weekend and it couldn’t have been better! They arrived in good
weather as we weighed their bags and asked to see their “luxury” item. Every one of them had a
very practical item – for the most part! We had a flashlight, lantern, tissues, rash cream (she
needed it for her brace – broken collarbone), extra blanket, air mattress, (okay – a stretch, but
she is a big girl with many physical injuries), and deodorant (“my mother made me!”).
Then, we packed them into the car and drove them around to the start of their hike. We had
flagged the course with orange fabric strips and told them they had to have all of them when they
arrived at camp. It was about a mile long hike (estimate) and it took them only 30 minutes. The
girls commented that the hike should be longer next time, but we were concerned about a few
physical limitations the girls had (collarbone, dislocated shoulder, and knee injuries.)
Meanwhile, my co – (Mamie) and I drove back to the site (her back yard on 4 acres) and packed
a foot locker with supplies. We only gave them 2 tarps, 2 tiki torches, rope & twine, bug spray, a
knife, dutch oven, cast iron fry pan, and a few other minor tools. Food included rice, breakfast
bars, trail mix, beef jerky, tang, cooking oil, and salt & pepper. We also supplied them with a 5 gal
cooler of water and a regular cooler with “wash water”. There wasn’t a stream or fresh water
supply, so we felt we had to do this.
Our focus was team building, rather than individual competition, so all activities and challenges
involved a group effort. When they arrived we greeted them and gave them instructions on where
to begin. They had to build a shelter, dig a latrine, and gather /organize firewood. If they were
successful, they would be given 3 matches to light their fire. They dove right in, dividing up the
jobs and getting the tasks done quickly. They set a fire and we gave them matches. They had a
fire going in no time and used that to light their tiki torches. With a few girls left to supervise the
fire, we brought the others inside to watch a video about survival skills. I highly recommend it
because it showed skills for every weather condition and focused on 7 major dangers that
interfere with a person’s survival. It was called SURVIVAL: 17 Ways to start a fire without a
match, and 100 other useful skills. I found it in our local library system, but it is also available for
sale through internet sites. I would suggest you view this with your girls BEFORE the camp out,
because it may be very useful in helping them decide what necessities to pack. We just ran out
of time and so we did it at the site. After the video, they retired to their site to enjoy the fire and
get a good night’s sleep.
The next morning, I tried to sneak up to catch them sleeping in their shelter at 6:30 am, but
instead, I was called a lazy bum because they had been up since 5am! They had eaten breakfast
and washed, played tags, restarted the fire, and were waiting for further instructions. They had a
somewhat “buggy” night and didn’t sleep real well, but their spirits were high and they were ready
for more. There next challenge was to impress us with their lashing skills and create useful items
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for their campsite. As soon as we left, they started in on their planning and ideas. This is not an
area that we have worked on enough (my fault) but they understood the premise of lashing and
we had reviewed the technique at a meeting last month. What they didn’t understand was that
they needed thicker wood to support the weight they were going to put on the items. One girl
made a table, but didn’t reinforce the bottom and used thin branches, so it wasn’t really usable. A
wood carter looked great, but I later showed them how to turn it into a tripod and they used it
several times over the fire to hang the Dutch oven. Their efforts were interrupted, however, as our
guest speaker arrived an hour before we had expected him.
We had a County come and talk with the girls about survival skills. He is an Adirondack trained
guide and brought along several packs to show what types of things you could use for survival.
One pack was small – his emergency pack, that included the basic essentials. He said that one
was with him at all times (in his car) no matter where he was. The other pack was a backpack
filled with useful items. He demonstrated several of the items and the girls were truly impressed
and a bit envious of some of the gadgets – especially the head net and solar blanket. It began to
rain steadily as he talked and everyone pulled out ponchos.
Next, the girls decided to move their campsite into the woods. They had used both tarps as a
covering, and didn’t overlap where they joined, so water was beginning to leak in all over their
sleeping bags. They found a site under a huge pine tree, with a soft pine needle floor. This time,
they set up one tarp above, and used the second for a floor covering. We were impressed at
their decision-making and how they worked as a team, using their mistakes to help them learn.
They also had to start a fire in adverse conditions, and we had them do this in teams. We set up
three small areas adjacent to the campfire. We put up two sticks, about 12” apart, and tied a
string between them – about 15” from the ground. The task was to start a fire and have it burn the
string. The rain was pretty steady now, so they had to work quickly. Originally, we were only
going to give them one match, but that proved useless. We gave them the long fireplace type
matches, so we kept relighting those in the established fire as needed. It took quite a long time!
Each team would get close, but then not have enough kindling nearby to keep feeding the flame.
Finally, we told them to work as one group and they were able to get the fire going and strong.
The cheers went up when the string finally caught the flame and burned!
We gave them a pound of ground beef and some tomato sauce as a reward. They cooked some
rice and had quite a nice lunch. They also had to demonstrate two ways to purify water (boiling &
with the iodine tablets.)
In the OUTDOOR SURVIVAL IPA, one requirement was to have them create a board game to
teach survival skills to younger girls. We left the materials they would need for this under their
mailbox and left them alone for a few hours of down time. They did a fantastic job!
Oh, by the way, we communicated the challenges and tasks through a mailbox hung in the
woods. It was a small cylinder shaped basket and we used pieces of brown paper bag to write
our poetry notes. The girls loved getting mail, and decided to save all of them for their scrapbook.
(All but one, which was used to patch a hole in the tarp!)
Another reward was dinner – a pizza party on the deck. (Yes, we fed them too much, but I really
didn’t feel comfortable ‘starving’ my girls!)
After dinner, there was an obstacle course where they had to challenge themselves to get their
best times. Some girls wanted to do it a couple of times to see if they could improve. The whole
time, they rooted and cheered for each other and there was NO competition! Their reward was
ice cream sundaes and some time in the hot tub! (Okay, I know, not much on survival here!)
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A little while later, we had them meet at the campfire for their last challenge of the day (at about
10pm). Sitting around the campfire, we sang a few songs, then announced the game. It was a
Survival Trivia contest. Each girl would be given a question and if she answered it correctly, she
could pick a treat out of the bowl (small candies, or a handful of trail mix.) If she didn’t answer it
right, no treat. There was also a huge package of Twizzlers – their eyes lit up! We told them that
was a bonus prize if they met our criteria, but that they would not know what the criteria was.
(We had decided that if they treated this game as an individual competition –think greed for the
candy – then they would not be rewarded. If they worked as a team and supported each other,
then they would earn it.) We had about 40 questions and the girls did SUPER! If someone was
stuck, they could say “pass,” but in many cases, I heard someone say, “Can I give her a hint?”
They were not concerned with the candy (though they enjoyed it) but helped each other through.
I couldn’t have been prouder of them. We stopped on occasion to discuss questions – especially
those that would have a greater impact on their survival. It was the highlight of the entire event!
The girls learned so much and they really worked as a team. They talked about getting to know
each other better, and having to work with a partner because they would make a good team,
rather than picking a best friend. Mamie and I were glowing . . .
As we concluded the evening, we sang Taps and passed around the friendship squeeze. In that
moment, I knew why I had remained a leader for these 8 years . . .
It was now pitch dark outside and the girls were afraid to walk into the woods to find their
campsite, even though they had reused the orange strips to mark the way. Mamie walked them
back and got them settled and then they were set. We set the morning mail, and then she and I
enjoyed a hot cup of tea in the hot tub before bed.
In the morning, about 6am, I listened for any signs of movement. I rang the bell that we used
when there was mail to be picked up. Nothing. About 15 minutes later, I tried again. No noise,
no movement. So, I decided to make the trek back to see how they had spent the night. Mamie
came out and walked with me. The girls were absolutely motionless! They were so tired, they
didn’t hear us come up and only when we rang the bell did they stir. One girl was being picked up
at 6:45am to go to a soccer tournament, so we had to get her moving. We told the rest to get up
and check the mail.
They moved very slowly that morning, but finally got up and about and started the fire going.
They found the mail, which said they would receive eggs, bacon, hash browns, and toast for
spending the night in the woods without a tent. It wasn’t until about 3 hours later that they were
enjoying their breakfast . . .
The final tasks for the day were building a solar still and starting a fire without a match. We were
originally going to do this on Saturday, but the rain would have made this difficult, so we
rearranged some things. They built the still, but didn’t really seal the edges, so it was working
slowly.
After sealing the edges, they could see what would happen if they left it long enough. The fire
was another matter. They were so tired . . . they looked at their manuals and tried to figure it out,
but I don’t think they were all thinking clearly. They tried a few methods unsuccessfully, then I
brought out the magnesium match & striker and demonstrated its use. They thought that was
really cool!
Finally, we told them to break down camp and bring everything up to the house. When this was
done and the site was looking better than we found it (Mamie wanted the tripod cooker for her
own campfires!) we brought them up to the deck and asked them to write thank you letters for
those that had helped us. We had some snacks on deck and after that chore was done, the
SURVIVOR camp was officially over. We let them enjoy the hot tub before being picked up.
This was the highlight, not only of our year, but of the girls’ careers in Girl Scouting. It was so
wonderful to see how they applied what we had been teaching them over the years and really
worked together to “survive.”
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The girls said they’d like to hike further next time, and not be given so much food! They had a
truly memorable campout, and can’t wait to do it again. Not sure how we can beat this one,
though!
If anyone is doing this or thinking about it – I highly recommend it! Words cannot describe all that
was accomplished on many different levels. If you have any questions about our camp – or want
some of the questions we asked during the trivia contest, please email me! I’m happy to share!
THANKS for taking the time to read our saga!
************************************************
24 hours a day there were the challenges of survival, as Lela has mentioned (fire, food, shelter,
water).
The game type challenges for immunity or food tended to be more of the team building or puzzle
solving type:
Timed obstacle courses (like adventure courses) If doing as a team, could be done as a relay.
Timed getting enough water into a bucket (with a hole in it) so that it would fill to a specific point
(on the show the bucket was on one end of a see saw, on the other end the contestant had built a
fire which would be raised to burn a string up in the air).
Timed moving one’s team from one point to another using limited supplies to create ‘bridge’ or
‘trail’
Timed physical endurance (standing on a beam, for example, or holding on to a pole)
Physical skill such as most accurate spear throwing, archery, etc.
Jeopardy-like challenges: answering questions about either each other or a specific topic.
Sometimes contestants wrote their answers on slates, sometimes they had a large cube with
numbers or letters with which they would indicate their answers. Sometimes they were just sitting
around answering the questions, sometimes a large game board was simulated with each
contestant having a path, with each correct answer would advance a space. First to reach the
‘finish’ was the winner. One particularly creative one was where each contestant carried a video
camera with them. Had to find the question boxes distributed throughout an area, video tape
themselves reading the question out lout and then answering it. First to return to the finish with
all questions correctly answered was the winner.
Playing a strategy game in large scale. The one I remember is the one where you get points by
completing squares on a grid (each person takes turns putting one side down, if you complete a
square you get a point and also another turn)
I don’t know if any of the above helps you any.
Our SU encampment this fall also has the “Survivor” theme. I have the challenge station also for
Juniors, Cadettes & Seniors. Other stations are on orienteering, yoga/aerobic dance, plus one
other I can’t remember. Our encampment directors are using a very broad concept of survival!
Anyway, my station is the one for the ‘game-like’ challenges. We’re breaking the girls up into
small teams, each will get a backpack with the 10 essentials for going out into the woods (even
for a short walk). They can use those supplies plus whatever they have with them to do as many
of the following in an hour:
Build a temporary shelter, purify some water, and administer first aid to someone who has badly
sprained her wrist/arm, signal for help.
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We decided fire building would take too much time so did not include that.
We’re not doing points, having winners, etc. Our SU is still not into competition!
******************************************
Survival Games for Pathfinders
The following two trail games I created with the help of my old Pathfinder Unit, the 31st Orleans
Pathfinders. Each game is designed to teach Pathfinders, first hand, some of the skills required to
survive in the wilderness if they manage to get lost or injured. These games are best played at a
weekend (but non-emblem) camp. Some preparation is required beforehand: in the meetings
leading up to the game, the girls should be assembling first aid kits and survival kits (see Be
Prepared in the Outdoors #3 and #8). Girls should come to the game with all the gear they would
usually take on an afternoon hike: daypacks, survival kits, first aid kits, rain ponchos, some
snacking food, something to drink, etc. Leaders lay a trail for the girls to follow, using either trail
signs, flagging tape or bright-colored wool. If times allows, lay a trail for each team of girls. Along
the trail the leaders place Situation Cards (described below); on each card is a situation the girls
will have to think about and solve before moving on. Try to make sure that the last Situation Card
is placed in an area that has suitable shelter-building materials available, and, if at all possible, is
safe for lighting fires. Remember to practise extreme caution when using fire in the middle of the
woods, especially in summer! The Pathfinders are split up into groups of around 5 or 6 girls each.
If you only have one trail, send the teams down the trail at around 15-minute intervals, and try to
split the trail so that each team winds up in a different spot at the very end. Once the girls reach
the end of the trail they must remain where they are until the leaders come and inspect their work.
During the game, the leaders tour the area, but remain as observers only. No commenting on the
girls’ solutions to the problems! After the game is over, everyone should sit down together and
discuss the different strategies used, as well as what improvements could be made for surviving a
real emergency situation.
Summer Survival Game
Each group of girls should be carrying, minimum, one first aid kit, one survival kit, drinking water,
matches, fire starters, a bit of gadget string, and a tarp. And here are the stations...
Thanks very much to Paula, who, after reading through my games, e-mailed me with suggested
solutions for all of the situations for the Summer Survival Game. I’ve added the solutions after
each station.
Entrance to the Game
Welcome to the Summer Edition of the Survival Game! Are you ready? Stay together and follow
the trail, and be prepared for anything...
Station One: Lost!
It started out as a great day hike: blue skies, birds singing. However you were so enchanted by
the wonders of nature that you somehow lost the trail! You decide to keep walking... it is late
afternoon now and dark clouds are rapidly covering the sky! Continue down the marked trail and
look for items that you think might come in handy... Solution: The girls should be looking for
useful items: birch bark, small twigs, other fire starting material. They could also possibly look for
methods to mark their trail so that rescuers could follow them.
Station Two: An Injury!
One of your friends trips, falls and sprains her ankle. But this is NOT a good place to stop...
you’re surrounded by poison ivy! So now what do you do? After you have dealt with this situation,
continue down the trail. Solution: Carry the injured girl to a suitable place to administer first aid.
Then the girls could administer the proper first aid for a sprain and assist her in hobbling down the
rest of the trail (or carry her).
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Station Three: A Bear!
Suddenly, something large growls at you and crashes off through the bush. One of your friends is
afraid it’s a bear and freaks out... even tries to run away! What do you do? After you have dealt
with this situation, keep your team together and move on. Solution: Girls should lie down on their
bellies and cover their faces, i.e. play dead. If they are carrying food in their daypacks, they
should take them off and toss them away from themselves. Try to keep the panicky girl calm. As
an option, you could have a leader act as a bear and take the daypacks with smelly food items.
This would force the girls to use their survival kits, which should be on their person.
Station Four: I’m Hungry!
You have been walking for a very long time... several hours at least. There’s no end to the forest
in sight. The girl with the sprained ankle needs a rest. In your survival kit there is candy. Should
you eat it now? You’re soooo hungry... once the team has made a decision, continue down the
trail.
Solution: Stop and rest, drink some water. Save the food.
Station Five: Shelter?
The girl who heard the bear sees a snake on the path, screams and faints! What do you do?
Once she wakes up, she feels very sick. It is now almost night; the clouds are very dark, the wind
is picking up. Perhaps you should make a shelter here! Set up a shelter and care for your sick
and injured friends. If you think a fire would be good, you may build one but do not light it (unless
leaders have already given you permission)! Do not move from this spot until the leaders give you
permission!
Solution: Treat the ill girl for shock: elevate legs, cover with a blanket, monitor airway. The other
girls could build a lean-to, and a fire (but don’t light it).
Winter Survival Game
There are a few modifications to the game format here. Note that in each situation, each
“numbered” girl has a specific role to play. I implemented this system to make sure that girls who
may be a little less outgoing get a chance to participate in the group too. When the team reaches
the end of the trail they must follow the instructions on the final card and remain where they are
until the leaders come to inspect their work. Each team should be carrying, as a minimum, at
least one first aid kit, at least one survival kit, waterproofed matches, at least one tarp, bedroll
rope, mugs for each member of the team, cup-a-soup, and a flashlight.
Entrance to the Game
Welcome to the Winter Edition of the Survival Game! Are you ready? Follow the marked trail, stay
together, and GOOD LUCK! (You’re gonna need it...)
Station One: No Way Across!
Well, snowshoeing seemed like a great idea but now you’ve come to a frozen river... and your
campsite is on the other side! Girl #1 decides to start across the ice... when she’s gone ten steps,
a sharp CRACK is heard! The ice hasn’t broken yet, but what do you do now? After you’ve
rescued your teammate, follow the trail onwards!
Station Two: Hard Work!
As you search for another way across the river, you end up trudging through waist deep snow.
Even with snowshoes it’s hard work just to move. Girl #3 complains about how hot it is and takes
off her coat (weather permitting ONLY!!) The rest of the team loosens their coats etc. but does
not remove any layers. Keep a-hiking....
Station Three: I’m Cold!
The wind is beginning to pick up now and it’s started to snow. Girl #3 suddenly realizes she’s cold
and puts her coat back on. Meanwhile, Girl #5 has gotten her mitts and boots completely soaked.
Her hands and feet are numb, and when you look at them, the skin is white and very cold. But
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you can’t stop here... it’s far too open and exposed to the wind! What should you do about Girl
#5’s hands and feet? ...Once you have treated this condition, move onwards...
Station Four: It’s Getting Colder...
Although you’ve managed to warm up Girl #5, Girl #3 has begun to shiver uncontrollably. Her lips
are turning blue and she’s very tired. What is she suffering from? What can you do?
Station Five: A Nasty Fall...
As you continue to search for a sheltered place to make camp, Girl #2 catches her snowshoe on
a hidden log and falls, breaking her right wrist and spraining her left ankle in the process. Looks
like you’ll have to camp here! Girl #4 – YOU’RE IN CHARGE!! What should you do first? Here are
a few problems: Girl #3 has now stopped complaining of the cold... she’s tired, confused and only
wants to sleep. It’s getting dark, and you have another injured person to care for. Remember the
other members of your team may have good ideas; listen to them, but you must make the final
decision!
STAY HERE UNTIL A LEADER COMES FOR YOU!! IF YOU GET REALLY COLD, HEAD BACK
TO THE LODGE BUT LEAVE ANY SHELTERS YOU’VE BUILT ETC. FOR EVALUATION!!
*******************************************************
It has taken me a while to get to this but here is what we did for our Survivor Theme activities:
34. Blindfolded activity – five girls per team
Props: blindfolds, 2 hula hoops per team, 2 balls per team (size of basketballs)
Game: all girls from each team were blindfolded, with the exception of one per team (leader); the
leader from each team throws the ball for the opposite team; the blindfolded girls must then get to
this ball, bringing it back to the finish line with the help of directions given by their team leader; to
do this, they must step only within the hula hoop that they have placed on the ground heading
toward the ball; to begin this trek, they all must be standing in the first hula hoop before moving
into the next one; once everyone is in the next hoop, the last person to enter must turn around to
pick up the hoop they just vacated and pass it through to the front girl who then places it in the
direction of where the ball landed; once reaching where the ball landed, they pick it up, returning
to the finish line in the same fashion as they used to get to the ball
35. Block out activity (I think I got this idea from the list you sent me earlier)
Props: 8x11 sheets of paper with a large X on one side of each piece (these sheets are laid with
the X facing down to the floor in the shape of a block – we created a block of 10 by 10 sheets)
Game: each girl picks a starting point on any edge of the block; the object is to be the last girl
remaining on the block; each girl takes a turn moving one space at a time (forward, backward or
sideways – no diagonal) and as they move, they turn the paper over they just stepped from so
that the X is showing – signifying a space that can no longer be used in this round; as each girl
takes their turn, they have to keep in mind that they want to block someone else, while still being
able to move themselves in a future turn; if a girl can no longer move, they are out of the game
36. Hoop shoot
Props: basketball hoop and ball
Game: each team chose two girls from their team who then lined up behind a designated line,
alternating team members; after a few practice shots, each girl got a total of ten shots each
(taking one shot at a time, moving to the end of the line until each girl had shot ten shots); the
team with the most baskets won
37. Food wheel Props: beets, feta cheese, olives, piece of snickers bar, prune juice, small
shrimp, piece of carrot stick, piece of salami, gummi worms and raw onion piece Game: each
food item was printed on a small piece of paper, folded and placed in a container; each team
determined the order of participation by each member; as their turn came, each girl picked a
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piece of paper from the container that determined what they would be eating – alternating
between teams; the winning team is determined by how many members actually ate what
fate chose for them
As a side note, we scored by giving ten points to the winning team and five to the losing – and our
teams tied – I kept telling them they were simply a winning troop (some didn’t buy that as
someone needed to win, in their minds)...
********************************************************
We did a Camp Survivor Twilight Camp a few weeks back. During our camp we taught basic
skills like lantern cleaning, tent boxing, dishwashing, latrine cleaning etc. We have a great SUM
who made swaps for each skill for each girl. We only had 30 girls attend, but those 30 girls had a
BLAST! They really enjoyed what for some of us is WORK! We had challenges on the last night
at camp. I’ve described them below for anyone else who might be doing something like our
camp. One challenge was a sleeping bag roll contest. Points were awarded on speed and
neatness and of course if it was done correctly.
Another challenge was flag folding. Points were awarded based on correctness as well as
respectfulness during the activity. (The part included the entire tribe as well as flag folders)
We also did a flashlight relay challenge where the girls had to take the batteries out of a flashlight,
reload them, and then turn on flashlight to show it was done correctly.
Another challenge included a relay were the girls had to tie one dunk bag to the clothesline and
bring back the one that was already there for the next person in line. When done correctly, it’s a
snap to remove. If not . . . boy it takes a long time to untie.
Depending on your location and if you use canvas tents, you could have a tent boxing
competition.
When I did my troop camp training, we built fires and had a little clothesline made about a foot
above the fire. First one to burn through the line, won.
However, our best challenge, where we had the MOST fun was this:
Clean up the campsite: We had 3 tribes and the field was divided into 3 areas using clothesline
that was laid out in the shape of a “Y”. In each “campsite” was old socks, sponges, and very
lightweight balls. Because it was hot, each team also had a wash pan of water in which to dip
their items. At the sound of the whistle, everyone starts throwing their “trash” into the other
campsites. Wetting takes time, but makes for a good splat on someone. After 2 minutes, the
whistle blew and the tribe with the cleanest campsite got the points. We played an extra round
with just the “chiefs” (adults). That was great fun with our tribes cheering us on.
Maybe something I’ve mentioned will help.
************************************************
I hope you do well with your day camp. Here are the ideas you asked for: T-shirts—I made a
stencil of the official survivor logo (which can be found on the internet or the game board version).
We stenciled the logo on shirtfronts and put the name of the camp, date and signatures of
campers on the back. You could have each girl bring a t-shirt from home, but since we only
needed like 16, a screen printer donated them.
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Flags- I took plain (white or cream color) broadcloth (which I happen to have on hand) and let the
girls decorate with fabric paints their tribe names and logo. The paint was a little messy. Fabric
markers would have been better. They still liked them though.
Necklaces- we got patterns for the beadie animal figures and made a different beadie animal for
each tribe (based on their tribe names) and put on cording to hang around their necks. As each
day went by, we awarded different color beads for things such as (good behavior, participation,
ect)
Games- we had archery shooting, disc throwing, water games (balloon toss, wet sponge relay,
ect), challenges such as (fire building, knot tying, compass hike, tent pitching contest, learned
casting fishing poles.
I sure hope this helps, it’s kinda hard to find things for the younger ones. I planned for the older
girls. That’s easier.
**********************************************
SURVIVOR Challenge Game
The Goal: To think logically how to take your moves so you eliminate the other players and
remain the final person standing.
How to Set up:
Set papers on the floor in rows – as many as the room can hold. Paper should have an X on one
side – put X side down.
4-6 girls stand on the outside of the room.
How to Play:
With each “move” the girls make, they step onto one sheet of paper.
On the second move, they turn over the paper (to an X) they were previously stepping on, making
it unavailable for anyone else to move onto or cross over.
Continue moves, one at a time, until a girl can make no move. She is eliminated.
Moves must be to an adjoining paper forward, backward, sideways (no diagonal).
You may not step onto a turned over paper (with an X).
You may not cross over a turned over paper.
Continue until only one player is left.
Strategy comes into play as they girls need to consider how to eliminate each other with well
placed moves.
**************************************************
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the “survivors” had to build fires – have a “contest” with a ribbon to the patrol/troop that can burn
a string that is suspended about 18 inches above the ground, between two poles (tomato stakes
work well). They have to know how (or learn) fast how to make a fire in which the flames go UP.
The survivors had to find food and prepare it. At one event I attended long ago, the troop/.patrol
was issued ground meat, one potato per person, same with carrot, and dry onion, and the
challenge was to cook their dinner. Ala foil dinner! Or could be a group of ingredients (no recipe)
and the girls “challenge” is to create a “dish” – desserts (dump cake/cobbler types) are great fort
his.
The survivors had to build shelters. You could have the girls make an emergency shelter from a
dining fly. Or they could lash a table or some other camp item.
A communication challenge could be devised by using Morse Code, and having a message the
girls decipher.
The survivors had to keep dry. The challenge could be to do a “waterproof” bed roll (toss it in the
pool to test!). And no don’t use sleeping bags, use blankets and plastic ground cloth (as shown in
Worlds to Explore Handbook for Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts – borrow copy from council
library/archives). (Don’t know if its shown in Outdoor Education in Girl Scouting, might be, and a
resource that may be more available).
**************************************************
A couple of ideas that we used at our Guide Camp this summer (was a week long camp) are
We divided the girls into teams 6 or 7 girls on each team and had the teams compete against
each other like they did in the survivor show. One of the activities we did was to place several
objects in a random pattern in an area for example wooden blocks at the far end of the area was
a box for the girls to place these blocks. At the starting end one girl was blindfolded and one was
her coach or eyes. The girls that were not blindfolded had to direct the blindfolded girl to an object
(wood block) which she picked up and then was given commands from her unblindfolded partner
to take it to the box at the far end. She then had to come back and find another and again take it
back to the box. The did this until each person and picked up a total of 3 items and then direct
their partner back to the starting line. The girl giving directions could never leave the starting point
so she had to have good shouting skills and the blindfolded girls had to have good listening skills.
This gets rather noisy if you have I of teams or girls We had three teams jr. Guides, Sr. Guides
and Pathfinders and they each had three sets of two. Hope this makes sense if you need any
further clarification on this then please let me know. We had a Guider out in the field with the
Blindfolded girls to keep them from wandering to far off course if they didn’t hear the directions
properly.
Other ideas could be boomerang toss’s onto a given mark on the ground,
We also make a rope stretcher and got the girls to go and rescue their victim at the end of the
field as well. ( I have directions in a word document with pictures if you would like. This particular
project helps teach the girls their clove hitch as they have to make quite a few hitches to put this
together.............and you have to have 150 feet of rope to make this stretcher.
Hope this give you a few ideas.........I loved doing the survivor theme this
past summer at camp....
**********************************************
When we camped in tree houses last year the girls planned a survivor type challenge. They
broke into teams and were given 30 minutes to construct a mini raft from fallen things in nature.
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The raft had to be strong enough to hold a Barbie doll and not sink. The three teams did a great
job and we hiked to the lake to test the results. We decided to launch the rafts all at the same
time thinking the one that stayed afloat the longest would win... Ended up they all did well so they
all got a prize (candy). I got this idea from someone on the list last year. Have a great time and
good luck with the rest of your program.
*******************************************
Lets see if I can remember any –
38. nature trivia, the first team to miss three questions loses the I
39. obsticle course race to the end, had swimming, ropes, raft across a river, etc.
40. had a course set up with a grid pattern of poles and ropes, each contestant had to create full
squares by attaching ropes to the poles, whenyou made a complete square you put your
marker in it. Ther person with the most squares wins.
41. a big flat wheel with gross and yummy foods on it, two contestants step up, spin the wheel
and whatever landed in fron of you you had to eat or loose the I
• they had this see-saw thing set up with a bucket on one end (the up end) and a can on
the other end (the down end). First they had to build a fire in the can. Then they had to
fill the bucket with enough water that the fire would go up. The bucket had holes in it of
course. They had to keep the water down, and the fire up to burn through a rope that
was up high. The first person to burn through the rope wins.
Go here –
http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor/show/episode1/challenges.shtml –
and you can go through each episode and see what challenges they did.
***********************************************
What a great idea for a camp. I think the girls will love the theme and format, while the leaders
and parents will enjoy the focus on skill building and teamwork/cooperation that Girl Scouts will
bring to the event. You could have the girls use a map/compass to find their hidden snack or to
get riddles/puzzles that they need to work on together to answer. There are several websites
that help you put together word search or crossword puzzles on a specific topic so you could
relate it to an outdoor skill like first aid (http://www.puzzlemaker.com, etc). You could do
activities based on “Leave No Trace” minimum impact camping, perhaps setting up a “spoof”
unsafe/environment unfriendly campsite (i.e. Too close to water source, pretend nails in tree to
hang lantern, inadequate fire ring, etc) and have the girls work together to list all the changes they
would make to protect the environment and make it a good campsite. You could also have a
knot-tying relay (cat of nine-tails game, or have them sit in a circle and tie a square knot joining
their 2’ cord to that of the girl’s on her left – eyes open or shut depending on their age – when
done they put the circle of joined ropes behind their backs and lean back against it...it will only
hold them if each girl has tied a solid square knot). You could also have the girls work together to
lash a basic tripod.
Also, how about a way to reward teamwork, fair play, cooperation, and consideration for
others...? It could be a challenge based on a team-building game where they must rely on and
work together to complete the task, or it could be something the camp staff recognizes at the
closing ceremony. At Junior Skills Weekend (held by our council each year), the staff recognizes
every troop/group participating with a special certificate – whether it is the overall champion or
best at particular skill area, outstanding teamwork, best attitude, etc. The girls are very proud
when they hear what they’ve excelled at, it enables every group to “win” at the event, and hearing
about each group’s achievements encourages them to learn and practice more so that they do
even better the next year.
****************************************************
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One of my Cadettes is doing a survivor weekend for Cadettes & Seniors around weather for her
Silver Award. Here are some of her ideas:
Survivor Weekend Clue it into Weather Stuff
Stranded on Alkor Island they have to survive the weekend using their survival skills that they
know and by learning how to read the weather to stay safe and warm.
Saturday night break everyone up into teams. Give them the rules for the weekend. Warn them
about an emergency drill that could happen any time over the weekend and what they have to do.
Have everyone bring a gallon zip lock baggie and all the food they brought with them to the
mess hall. Let each team pool all their food together and make up a survival bag-o-goodies for
the weekend.
Activity Challenge
Give each team a weather related disaster and have them come up with a list of emergency
procedures I.e.: You’re on Alkor Island and a hurricane is about to hit. You can do hurricane,
flood, lightning
strike fire, etc. You can even have them act it out. Be sure they include all the things you have in
the preparation lists from the Red Cross. Give out the pamphlets at the end of the activity.
Activity Challenge
How to survive without fresh water? Make your own little cloud! Dig a hole in moist ground deep
enough to put a cup in. Place cup in hole. On surface of the ground stretch a piece of plastic
wrap across hole and secure it with rocks. In the center of the suran place a small stone to weigh
it down so you are creating a run off over the cup. Leave it sit in the sun all day. The heat from
the sun will cause the moisture to evaporate from the soil and collect as condensation on the
suran. It will drip into the cup. The group with the most water wins.
Activity
The barometer is falling – get out your rain gear! Make a barometer.
Activity Challenge
Build a lean-to that will protect 2 people from a storm that is coming in from the South. Give each
group: rope 2 trash bags a place in the woods 1 hour They may also use any items that they
have in their teams possession or on the property to do the job. Test the construction by placing
2 girls in the structure and throw a bucket of water on it. Who ever comes out driest wins.
Activity Challenge
They have the barometer. Give them: Hammer, nails, precut wood, outdoor thermometer and
whatever else. Have them construct a weather station. Best one is mounted and stays as a
service project.
Activity
Have each team write a song about surviving the elements to sing at the campfire
I belong to the Pine to Prairie Council (ND), and our SU has been working on Brownie
Daycamp/Jr. & Cadette Overnight Camp for awhile now, using the “Survivor” theme. We
designed our own patch and t-shirts to be awarded to the girls for surviving our camp! Some of
the activities include. Tiki torches for each unit to carry to each activity with their own unit
flag(which they will design upon arriving at camp). Blindfold island food taste off (grapes-frog
eyes, pretzel sticks-grasshopper legs, etc.) Build a shelter (unit is given a sheet, some rope,
sticks etc,) to help shelter them from hazardous island weather. Island Obstacle Course
Challenge. Nature craft companion, made from lg. Pinecone (similar to the Castaway movie).
We’ll be grilling shish kabobs of ham, summer sausage, veggies, and fruit over the fire for supper.
We’re also working on a cultural organization to come in and teach the girls a dance, story or craft
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in a tribal fashion. There’s a lot you can do with this theme. End your evening with a tiki torch
luau!
****************************************************
~*~*~*~*~*
Survivor Campfire
From: Barb Wright, Colwood, Victoria, BC (barbwright@home.com)
Well, this is what we plan to do tonight for the Campfire (read: Tribal Council) at the Area
Pathfinder camp. We’ll let you know what actually happens!!
(FYI, there are four campsites at our Camp Jubilee: Bridges, Gateway, Kirby and Guelph)
Barb
SVI Discovery Campfire Tribal Council
Barb Wright, Sue Steel, Cindy Vance
Sign hung on shelter beside campfire:
“Outwit Outplay Outlast”
“Survivor 3.5 The Canadian Outhouse”
Costumes: Yellow Slickers and rubber boots, Bandannas, Tribal face paint (mud)
CAMPFIRE
(Girls Gather from 4 campsites, following lit tiki torches.)
(Campfire leaders light camp lantern on steps of the shelter).
SUE: (Sue in the middle) sings “Tongo”
(Cindy and Barb move in from either side)
CINDY: Tonight you are here at the Tribal Council to earn immunity and a reward.
BARB: Each group will be given a challenge. The Tribal Council Jury will judge you.
SUE: Here are your challenges.
Gateway Tribe
To survive you must be lively.
Active living keeps you strong.
Pick a song that really moves us –
Lead us in an ACTIVE SONG.
CINDY: Bridges Tribe
Morale is vital to survive.
Upbeat thoughts keep you alive.
Quick! Make up a YELL or CHEER
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That tells us all we’re glad we’re here.
BARB: Kirby Tribe
Sometimes to win a challenge,
You have to scramble and to scavenge –
Lead a SONG that is about FOOD
A song that’s GROSS, and even RUDE!!
SUE: Guelph Tribe:
The outdoors is a challenge
But you’ll survive if you’re prepared
Lead a SONG about THE OUTDOORS
And show us all that you’re not scared.
CINDY: You have five minutes to prepare your challenges. Work together. You will present your
challenge when you hear the tribal signal.
(Barb and Sue hand out Challenges)
(AIR HORN --- five minutes are up. Probably do less than five minutes!)
SUE: Gateway Tribe – Present your challenge and be judged for immunity and reward.
(Watch presentation. Write on paper – place in ballot box. )
CINDY: Bridges Tribe – Present your challenge and be judged for immunity and reward.
(Watch presentation. Write on paper – place in ballot box.)
BARB: Kirby Tribe - Present your challenge and be judged for immunity and reward
(Watch presentation. Write on paper – place in ballot box. )
SUE: Guelph Tribe – Present your challenge and be judged for immunity and reward
(Watch presentation. Write on paper – place in ballot box. )
(Take out a ballot. Pretend to read.)
CINDY: The jury has decided your fate. Prepare yourselves for judgment.
BARB: Kirby Tribe – you have won immunity.
Gateway Tribe – you have won immunity.
Guelph Tribe – you have won immunity.
Bridges Tribe – you have won immunity.”
(Cindy and Sue hand out candy necklaces while Barb is speaking. Return to front)
CINDY: You have faced the ultimate challenge – DISCOVERY CAMP. You are all Survivors –
SUE: Survivors!!! Show your tribal pride... Repeat after me!
Everywhere we go (Repeat)
People always ask us
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Who we are
So we tell them
We are the Girl Guides
Mighty, mighty Girl Guides
And If you can’t hear us
we’ll shout a little louder!
(Repeat 2 x.)
(Last time change last line to)
YOU MUST BE DEAF”
CINDY: Please stand up for the final words of the Tribal Council.
BARB: Pathfinders – You will face many challenges in your life.
To be a Survivor you must:
Be yourself. Do your best. Be Prepared.
(All three go put out the torches. Presumably we will thus be near the fire.)
ALL THREE: The tribe has spoken.
(Throw handfuls of Coffee Mate onto fire to make spark.)
SUE: “Taps”
(Return to shelter. Put out lantern.)
~*~*~*~
we are doing a Survivor theme this weekend at family camp for cub scouts. We are dividing up in
tribes tigers and wolfs together the Woger tribe and the bears and webelos together the Bebelo
tribe. We got cheap material in green and orange so each tribe has a color to tie around their
arm. We are making paper men on parachutes (to get to the island) then we are having a
treasure hunt with maps for each tribe they will follow the trail markers on the ground and the map
there is stations along the trail one is making rocks with bugs in them ( to hunt for food) and it
ends with a treasure ( a box painted gold filled with candy. Then we are returning to turn in our
bugs at the cub grub I for snacks made like bugs and some bug juice. Then we are having a raft
building contest teams use glue, twine and sticks 20 min to build the best. And then a fire building
contest using snacks as the rocks for fire ring, logs, kindling etc. I found it off a web site it may be
on this board. And a crocodile crawl relay lay out an obstacle course and you have balloons put
between each person on the team and they have to run the race together keeping the balloons
between them, no hands. We are thinking of a way to keep score and the prizes for the
challenges being things like, get to fix s’mores first. Other team cooks the winner’s first hotdog;
serve them dinner, extra snacks. This is about it were making big banner that says Survivor in the
cubback to hang when they first come in. It’s this weekend I will post what worked great and what
didn’t good luck
~*~*~*~*
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From: “Linda St. George” <tikisis@ROCHESTER.RR.COM>
Subject: Our Survivor Camp Out – Extremely Long!
My girls had their campout this weekend and it couldn’t have been better! They arrived in good
weather as we weighed their bags and asked to see their “luxury” item. Every one of them had a
very practical item – for the most part! We had a flashlight, lantern, tissues, rash cream (she
needed it for her brace – broken collarbone), extra blanket, air mattress, (okay – a stretch, but
she is a big girl with many physical injuries), and deodorant (“my mother made me!”).
Then, we packed them into the car and drove them around to the start of their hike. We had
flagged the course with orange fabric strips and told them they had to have all of them when they
arrived at camp. It was about a mile long hike (estimate) and it took them only 30 minutes. The
girls commented that the hike should be longer next time, but we were concerned about a few
physical limitations the girls had (collarbone, dislocated shoulder, and knee injuries.)
Meanwhile, my co – (Mamie) and I drove back to the site (her back yard on 4 acres) and packed
a footlocker with supplies. We only gave them 2 tarps, 2 tiki torches, rope & twine, bug spray, a
knife, dutch oven, cast iron fry pan, and a few other minor tools. Food included rice, breakfast
bars, trail mix, beef jerky, tang, cooking oil, and salt & pepper. We also supplied them with a 5 gal
cooler of water and a regular cooler with “wash water”. There wasn’t a stream or fresh water
supply, so we felt we had to do this.
Our focus was team building, rather than individual competition, so all activities and challenges
involved a group effort. When they arrived we greeted them and gave them instructions on where
to begin. They had to build a shelter, dig a latrine, and gather /organize firewood. If they were
successful, they would be given 3 matches to light their fire. They dove right in, dividing up the
jobs and getting the tasks done quickly. They set a fire and we gave them matches. They had a
fire going in no time and used that to light their tiki torches. With a few girls left to supervise the
fire, we brought the others inside to watch a video about survival skills. I highly recommend it
because it showed skills for every weather condition and focused on 7 major dangers that
interfere with a person’s survival. It was called SURVIVAL: 17 Ways to start a fire without a
match, and 100 other useful skills. I found it in our local library system, but it is also available for
sale through internet sites. I would suggest you view this with your girls BEFORE the camp out,
because it may be very useful in helping them decide what necessities to pack. We just ran out
of time and so we did it at the site. After the video, they retired to their site to enjoy the fire and
get a good night’s sleep.
The next morning, I tried to sneak up to catch them sleeping in their shelter at 6:30 am, but
instead, I was called a lazy bum because they had been up since 5am! They had eaten breakfast
and washed, played tag, restarted the fire, and were waiting for further instructions. They had a
somewhat “buggy” night and didn’t sleep real well, but their spirits were high and they were ready
for more. There next challenge was to impress us with their lashing skills and create useful items
for their campsite. As soon as we left, they started in on their planning and ideas. This is not an
area that we have worked on enough (my fault) but they understood the premise of lashing and
we had reviewed the technique at a meeting last month. What they didn’t understand was that
they needed thicker wood to support the weight they were going to put on the items. One girl
made a table, but didn’t reinforce the bottom and used thin branches, so it wasn’t really usable. A
wood carter looked great, but I later showed them how to turn it into a tripod and they used it
several times over the fire to hang the Dutch oven. Their efforts were interrupted, however, as
our guest speaker arrived an hour before we had expected him.
We had a county guide come and talk with the girls about survival skills. He is an Adirondack
trained guide and brought along several packs to show what types of things you could use for
survival. One pack was small – his emergency pack, that included the basic essentials. He said
that one was with him at all times (in his car) no matter where he was. The other pack was a
backpack filled with useful items. He demonstrated several of the items and the girls were truly
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impressed and a bit envious of some of the gadgets – especially the head net and solar blanket.
It began to rain steadily as he talked and everyone pulled out ponchos.
Next, the girls decided to move their campsite into the woods. They had used both tarps as a
covering, and didn’t overlap where they joined, so water was beginning to leak in all over their
sleeping bags. They found a site under a huge pine tree, with a soft pine needle floor. This time,
they set up one tarp above, and used the second for a floor covering. We were impressed at
their decision-making and how they worked as a team, using their mistakes to help them learn.
They also had to start a fire in adverse conditions, and we had them do this in teams. We set up
three small areas adjacent to the campfire. We put up two sticks, about 12” apart, and tied a
string between them – about 15” from the ground. The task was to start a fire and have it burn the
string. The rain was pretty steady now, so they had to work quickly. Originally, we were only
going to give them one match, but that proved useless. We gave them the long fireplace type
matches, so we kept relighting those in the established fire as needed. It took quite a long time!
Each team would get close, but then not have enough kindling nearby to keep feeding the flame.
Finally, we told them to work as one group and they were able to get the fire going and strong.
The cheers went up when the string finally caught the flame and burned!
We gave them a pound of ground beef and some tomato sauce as a reward. They cooked some
rice and had quite a nice lunch. They also had to demonstrate two ways to purify water (boiling &
with the iodine tablets.)
In the OUTDOOR SURVIVAL IPA, one requirement was to have them create a board game to
teach survival skills to younger girls. We left the materials they would need for this under their
mailbox and left them alone for a few hours of down time. They did a fantastic job!
Oh, by the way, we communicated the challenges and tasks through a mailbox hung in the
woods. It was a small cylinder shaped basket and we used pieces of brown paper bag to write
our poetry notes. The girls loved getting mail, and decided to save all of them for their scrapbook.
(All but one, which was used to patch a hole in the tarp!)
Another reward was dinner – a pizza party on the deck. (Yes, we fed them too much, but I really
didn’t feel comfortable ‘starving’ my girls!)
After dinner, there was an obstacle course where they had to challenge themselves to get their
best times. Some girls wanted to do it a couple of times to see if they could improve. The whole
time, they rooted and cheered for each other and there was NO competition! Their reward was
ice cream sundaes and some time in the hot tub! (Okay, I know, not much on survival here!)
A little while later, we had them meet at the campfire for their last challenge of the day (at about
10pm). Sitting around the campfire, we sang a few songs, then announced the game. It was a
Survival Trivia contest. Each girl would be given a question and if she answered it correctly, she
could pick a treat out of the bowl (small candies, or a handful of trail mix.) If she didn’t answer it
right, no treat. There was also a huge package of Twizzlers – their eyes lit up! We told them that
was a bonus prize if they met our criteria, but that they would not know what the criteria was.
(We had decided that if they treated this game as an individual competition –think greed for the
candy – then they would not be rewarded. If they worked as a team and supported each other,
then they would earn it.) We had about 40 questions and the girls did SUPER! If someone was
stuck, they could say “pass,” but in many cases, I heard someone say, “Can I give her a hint?”
They were not concerned with the candy (though they enjoyed it) but helped each other through.
I couldn’t have been prouder of them. We stopped on occasion to discuss questions – especially
those that would have a greater impact on their survival. It was the highlight of the entire event!
The girls learned so much and they really worked as a team. They talked about getting to know
each other better, and having to work with a partner because they would make a good team,
rather than picking a best friend. Mamie and I were glowing . . .
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As we concluded the evening, we sang Taps and passed around the friendship squeeze. In that
moment, I knew why I had remained a leader for these 8 years . . .
It was now pitch dark outside and the girls were afraid to walk into the woods to find their
campsite, even though they had reused the orange strips to mark the way. Mamie walked them
back and got them settled and then they were set. We set the morning mail, then she and I
enjoyed a hot cup of tea in the hot tub before bed.
In the morning, about 6am, I listened for any signs of movement. I rang the bell that we used
when there was mail to be picked up. Nothing. About 15 minutes later, I tried again. No noise,
no movement. So, I decided to make the trek back to see how they had spent the night. Mamie
came out and walked with me. The girls were absolutely motionless! They were so tired, they
didn’t hear us come up and only when we rang the bell did they stir. One girl was being picked up
at 6:45am to go to a soccer tournament, so we had to get her moving. We told the rest to get up
and check the mail.
They moved very slowly that morning, but finally got up and about and started the fire going.
They found the mail, which said they would receive eggs, bacon, hash browns, and toast for
spending the night in the woods without a tent. It wasn’t until about 3 hours later that they were
enjoying their breakfast . . .
The final tasks for the day were building a solar still and starting a fire without a match. We were
originally going to do this on Saturday, but the rain would have made this difficult, so we
rearranged some things. They built the still, but didn’t really seal the edges, so it was working
slowly. After sealing the edges, they could see what would happen if they left it long enough. The
fire was another matter. They were so tired . . . they looked at their manuals and tried to figure it
out, but I don’t think they were all thinking clearly. They tried a few methods unsuccessfully, then
I brought out the magnesium match & striker and demonstrated its use. They thought that was
really cool!
Finally, we told them to break down camp and bring everything up to the house. When this was
done and the site was looking better than we found it (Mamie wanted the tripod cooker for her
own campfires!) we brought them up to the deck and asked them to write thank you letters for
those that had helped us – the guide and the neighbor. We had some snacks on deck and after
that chore was done, the SURVIVOR camp was officially over. We let them enjoy the hot tub
before being picked up.
This was the highlight, not only of our year, but of the girls’ careers in Girl Scouting. It was so
wonderful to see how they applied what we had been teaching them over the years and really
worked together to “survive.”
The girls said they’d like to hike further next time, and not be given so much food! They had a
truly memorable campout, and can’t wait to do it again. Not sure how we can beat this one,
though!
If anyone is doing this or thinking about it – I highly recommend it! Words cannot describe all that
was accomplished on many different levels. If you have any questions about our camp – or want
some of the questions we asked during the trivia contest, please email me! I’m happy to share!
THANKS for taking the time to read our saga!
~*~*~*~*~*~
From: debra <debra@HCIS.NET>
Subject: survival day
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Our survival day! Thanks to the many of you, our day was a success. Thought I’d give you the
details of our day and maybe, someday down the road, you can use it!
We started the day with “CARVING YOUR WAY” – this was simply signing in and I had some
word searches and some color sheets for them to do.
Next we went to WELCOME TO OUR KINGDOM. We made a circle and did our pledge and
promise and explained some of the way the day would be.
On to KINGDOM’S DIVIDED AND CAVE ETCHINGS.. While still in the circle, the girls were
divided into separate “tribes” and given their tribal troop name. Each tribe had their own color
and style of bandanna to represent themselves. Each tribe then made a banner (cave etchings)
that we hung up between trees.
MASK – IT – With paper plates, each girl was asked to make a mask with what they thought their
“tribe” represented.
TO THE WETLANDS – potty break
BELLY BUST AND CHEESE – Lunch was belly bust and then followed by “cheese” – having their
picture taken.
Following lunch was “ALL AROUND THE ISLAND”- Each tribe went on their own scavenger hunt.
On to “CAVES & HUTS”- Each tribe had to make a shelter of some type using only the materials
in nature. It had to be big enough to house a squirrel. This was great until one of the tribes
uncovered a nest of hornets.
BACK TO THE WETLANDS
Just as a little added activity, each girl made a friendship bracelet with the different colors of pony
beads representing something.
CIRCLE OF FUN – Each tribe made a line holding hands and were given a hula-hoop to pass
through the line. They couldn’t let go of their hands – only use their bodies to pass it.
ISLAND RETREAT – Each tribe had to prepare some type of skit, song, dance, etc. to describe
their tribe.
TRIBAL ACTS – Presentation of the above. After their skits, this is where I told them what their
tribe name actually meant.
FINAL FAREWELLS – Each was also given a certificate of survival.
I had made up several posters with the activities of the day – except no one except for me knew
what they meant. The girls spent a lot of time trying to decide what the next activity actually
meant. I also made a kaper chart listing the activities and when they were completed, each was
marked off! Until the end, the girls thought there would be a winner of the day.
I also made a sheet up with the different things you could do with a bandanna along with a poem
of two. All this I gathered from the list too.
To everyone’s surprise, when they ask where I come up with these creative ideas, I give each of
you credit on this list. The list has helped me throughout lots of activities.
~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~
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From: Dorothy/Anne Crocker” hopebayc@LOG.ON.CA
What about at one of them – probably woodland station – a camouflage activity whereby they
have to hide themselves so that they are invisible to searchers? Perhaps have half camouflagers
and half searchers, with volunteers being the half that camouflage themselves and the rest the
searchers. A time limit to hide and a time limit to find. Half the secret in successful hiding is NO
movement at all.
~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~
From: Ann Richey” <annrichey@YAHOO.COM>
During the day on Saturday, we will have 6 environmental survivor stations i.e. Arctic survival
(to be held in the walk in cooler) Desert survival (to be held at the beach) Water survival (to be
held at the beach also) Woodland survival (to be held amongst the 12 – 14 trees at camp)
Prairie survival (can be held almost anywhere at camp) and Urban survival (to be held in the
dining hall)
~*~*~*~*~*~*
From: Linda Shier (lshier@ezlink.on.ca), Clysdale Division
Upon Arrival at camp on the Friday evening they were talking about thunderstorms so like any
good survivor would do we looked for secure and dry shelter (we opted out of the tents and
stayed in the heated building (LOL) we did have a very nice campfire and were able to roast our
hotdogs and marshmallows outside though. Saturday morning dawned the promise of a beautiful
day and we kind of regretted not being in the tents Friday night. The girls cooked their breakfast
(choice of pancakes, toast or scrambled eggs) each girl got to cook her own as we were using the
propane stoves. After breakfast and the chores were done we prepared our cardboard boxes for
cooking our pizza in at lunchtime.
We then headed to the bush for a survival game that I got off I believe the Guide Zone with five
stations. After a couple trips back to the building to retrieve forgotten rain jackets etc we headed
off in the drizzle. By the time we were done it was starting to rain harder. So we came back and
prepared lunch. As we were adjusting the pizzas in the boxes there were some really nasty
cracks of thunder. (Thank goodness these survivors had a shelter over the picnic tables to protect
the ovens.)
The afternoon was spent doing crafts and outdoor activities in between showers and rain. As
suppertime approached the skies cleared once again and the decision was made to pitch the
tents after our supper of rat burgers (hamburgers. the girls thought it was neat to call them rat
burgers) and kitty litter cake. (this was a big hit even though it looked gross..........)
Sunday morning appeared to start off with the promise of a not to bad a day so the tents were
cleared out and luggage placed under the shelter prior to breakfast. We decided to have our
breakfast of waffles and as we were eating our worst nightmare happened again.......The skies
opened up and it began to pour again. By time we were done breakfast and chores again it was
only drizzling and the tents were soaked. Oh well we played the part of survivors to the fullest on
this one..........and yes we did survive. (any one that knows me I have been having some health
problems with Arrhythmia’s and decided as I bent down to pick the poles up and put them in the
bag that I would take another attack. This is the second one in 7 months Have no Idea why it
happened all the work was done but this attack lasted about 20 minutes and was just going to call
my husband to come and take me into the hospital when it passed so I finished out camp along
with the rest and am fine now..........every thing is dried out and gradually getting caught up on my
sleep............... I have pictures back but just have to get them scanned and on my web page for
you to see.
~*~*~*~**~
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