How to Organize the Adventure Race

History

Mike Stewart introduced the Adventure Race at Shehaqua Family Camp Week 2 in 2015 and it has been held during Week 1 since then. The race is based on the Tough Mudder and similar challenging obstacle courses. It’s a race for individuals, but it can also be done as a team competition. Primarily aimed at Supernovas and Quasars, it can also be offered to Suns and even Moons who are excited about it (we recommend that a group leader runs together with a group of younger kids). Check out the videos of previous races on our Shehaqua YouTube channel for some idea of what the race looks like.

Before Camp

• Order marker flags (utility markers or marking flags by Swanson, about $10 for 100 flags; search for it on Amazon). 100 flags should be enough.
• Get a plastic for slip & slide

At Camp, the Day Before the Race

Locate Materials You Need:

• Marker flags
• Large sheet of plastic for Slip & Slide, stakes or similar to attach the plastic to the ground.
• Hose
• Soap for improved sliding

Other Preparations:

• Check the course before the day of the event. The landscape changes every year, and areas that are a swamp one year could be dry the next year.
• Place the marker flags along the course, either the day before or on the same day.
• If you need the pool, make sure it will be open and a lifeguard will be on duty.
• Recruit staff to help. Explain to them clearly what they need to do.

Day of Race

• Prepare Slip & Slide: Hose should be connected to the fountain, have soap ready for improved sliding. Plastic sheet should be attached to the ground to prevent it from moving when people are slipping on it
• Walk the whole course together with the runners, from beginning to end. Don’t do it from the end to the beginning—this turned out to be too confusing for runners in the past.
• If you need the pool, make sure the lifeguard has opened it and will be there to lifeguard

Cleanup

• Don’t forget to make a plan for gathering all the marker flags and other materials used. Return all materials to the office. Recruit race participants to help right at the end of the race.

Note

• If the Adventure Race is scheduled for the second full day of Family Camp, the Adventure Race organizers should not be involved in Family Fun Night preparations, as they will need the free time period on the first day to plan for the adventure race coming up the next day.