The Inaugural FinBuoy Survivor Games!!!
Schedule
Sat Jul 27 2024 at 11:00 am to 03:00 pm
Location
Croft State Park | Spartanburg, SC
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https://www.homeschoolupstate.com/event-details/the-inaugural-finbuoy-survivor-gamesDate: Saturday, July 27, 2024
Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Croft State Park, Shelter #1
Address: 450 Croft State Park Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29302
Cost: $50 per participant PLUS Croft State Park Admission Fee (not included in ticket sales: see the end of this post.)
Ages: 8-13 ONLY
Join us for the first, public installment of the FinBuoy Games, where we will spend the day exploring our wild nature, emotions and psychology in the ultimate outdoor gaming survival experience. FinBuoy is an outdoor challenge that engages participants in obstacle courses, games, challenges and team-building exercises. The FinBuoy games are modeled after the popular television series, “Survivor.” FinBuoy is a condensed and re-purposed version of the game-show that children can actively participate in without being voted out. Participants will test their mental and physical strengths to complete challenges with their randomly selected teammates.
Decorate your bamboo walking stick in your tribe’s team colors, put on your bandana “buff” and get ready for a competition of wit, social engagement and mental and physical strength! Who will find the hidden advantages? Will they let anyone know they found them? Who will form alliances? Who is best at trivia? Who is the muscle? Who is the brain? Participants of the FinBuoy games will sort through the social dynamics of team play through competition where ONE PERSON will win the final prize.
Obstacles and trivia. Auctions and puzzles. Which team will hold the Lodi? Who will deceive their teammates for their own personal benefit? Who will share the clues? How will the team vote at tribal council? Will participants be able to keep up with their important items? Will each team be able to navigate disagreements and avoid rivalry? Will each team be able to solve their problems? Who will spend all day standing in the sprinkler instead of searching for clues? Will we have more time for game play or need to have multiple “ground-table” discussions?
The FinBuoy games teach participants how to solve problems on their own. Participants will learn to accept responsibility for themselves and their actions. They will learn how to navigate a social paradigm where adults do not solve their problems, or offer help and solutions. How will your child thrive in a “Lord of the Flies-like” setting? Watch, observe, and learn.
My two boys had an absolute blast doing this experience. It was fun to see how they would work on separate teams. Some of the rules in the game caused some discussion but the kids all worked through the issues. Definitely a great idea to ask parents to sit in the back seat and only observe. I loved the experience of being outside all day and the comradery the kids formed ! – Jessie Anderson (Parent)
Our first FinBuoy challenge will invite ages 8-13 to participate. If successful, we will schedule future FinBuoy events for different age groups. All participants should wear closed toed shoes, and may choose to wear a hat and athletic clothing. Everyone should bring a water bottle. A water bottle and fabric shopping bag are the only personal items allowed. No tools, snacks, food, chairs, sunglasses, outdoor gear…NOTHING else is allowed.
We will be outside all day. This event will last from 11 AM-3 PM. Water will be provided. Lunch will be provided. Lunch and snacks will be basic and minimal. Participants will have the chance to “Purchase” snacks and treats at the FinBuoy Auction. Winning teams may also receive a food prize.
Winning teams will receive benefits and prizes that the losing team will not receive. There will be jealousy and complaints about fairness. The win/lose cycle is a challenge in itself. Losers will have to watch the winners celebrate. This challenge will teach many lessons, including problem solving without adult resolution or intervention. All parents must remain on site, but must also agree to a code of silence and must not intervene in any team or participant disputes. In the event that a major dispute occurs, participants will be asked to sit for a “ground-table” discussion. In this discussion, participants will agree to allow only one person to speak at a time until the FinBuoy Host feels it is time for participants to “put it to a vote.” All participants must accept the majority decision after voting. There will be no re-votes.
This event is so much fun and a true challenge for all involved! My children had the best time and would want to do it again. My personal favorite part was discovering my children in a different way! I was really surprised which son stood his ground and which one was willing to give in for the sake of peace! It was exactly opposite of what I had expected!
Your child will discover strengths they had no clue they had. They will grow in confidence. They will have a chance to grow their weaknesses and learn new social skills and conflict resolution. Your child will learn how to handle disappointment and very tough challenges. This is an incredible and unique opportunity to where everyone has fun while building new skills and discovering themselves and others.
Ms. Wendy is amazing! She is fun, fair, on top of things, gives constant interaction and has all the tools to create an incredible experience for your child…. and you! – Edith Burdette (parent)
Parents:
The FinBuoy Host (Wendy McCarty) will be the only person with whom the participants can come to with their grievances and questions. Wendy has worked with children of all ages since 1995. Through experience of many trial-runs of these games, the Host has learned that many of these grievances and questions can be self-solved, or be voted on and answered by team-mates. Participants will be informed of the FinBuoy rules and regulations prior to gameplay. These Rules and Regulations will be posted at the event. Other adults will be present to help set-up the games, but will not interact with the participants.
All parents should notify the FinBuoy organizers of any serious food allergies or health concerns prior to the event. Summer events will offer a “cool off” station via an outdoor water hose and sprinkler. Participants will continuously be encouraged to drink water. Parents will be required to sign a waiver of liability, prepared by an attorney, prior to participation in the games.
The kids had a lot of fun. It was amazing and surprising to see how the kids act and handle situations without the parents telling them what they should do. They have to think for themselves what the best solution would be and interact with their teammates. We saw how they would stand up for themselves or stand up for someone else. It was a great experience for the kids and for the parents as well. – Christina Barnett (Parent)
Parents will need to remain present throughout the games. There is a covered shelter where you may watch the games and events as they unfold. No drop offs allowed! All participants must have a guardian present.
Due to the “Lord of the Flies-like” nature of this event… we ask that all attendees who are not a participant (AKA: Parents, friends and family who are spectators) take a “vow of silence.” This means you are not able to offer advice or solutions to your participant. Non-verbal communication and cheering during games is welcome, but overall, through experience, we have found that NO interaction is best. This allows for an even playing field for all participants. Remember, this is a game of psychology and reasoning for your participants as well. How will they navigate without you? We ask that you be present as a mere observer. Speak with your children beforehand to let them know you will not be able to speak to them or help them in any way outside of a true medical emergency. Parents are not allowed to provide any of the participants with any additional items during game play. Your children may complain of hunger and ask you for more food, snacks, treats, drinks, etc. Remember, parents at this even are a proverbial “fly on the wall.”
Parents must remain present to supervise the actions of their children, but we ask that you do not intervene in any verbal disputes or answer any questions. However, if any of the participants get physical (aka: push or put their hands on another participant), they will be asked to leave immediately and will not be allowed to participate in any future FinBuoy events. If asked to leave the event, there will be no refunds of payment. Please email Wendy at: [email protected] to ask any questions about the event prior to game-play or ticket purchases. Maximum limit: 20 participants. All ticket sales are non-refundable. This event is for ages 8-13 ONLY, please! We plan to create future events for the other age groups.
Additional Cost: Croft State Park is over 7000 acres and offers everything from a playground to hiking and biking trails. As a state park, there is an admission fee: $3 for adults over the age of 15, $1.50 for seniors, $1 for kids ages 6-15, and free for children age 5 and under. This admission fee is NOT included in your ticket price and must be paid separately upon entry into Croft State Park.
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Where is it happening?
Croft State Park, 1095 Union St, Spartanburg, SC 29302-3317, United States,Spartanburg, South CarolinaEvent Location & Nearby Stays: