How Good Are Your Survival Skills? Youth Ministry Game

Give each youth a survival worksheet and a pencil. Explain to them that disaster has struck. Maybe it is a flood of Biblical proportions or a plague like in the Book of Exodus or the zombie apocalypse has finally come. You need to leave home and head to somewhere safer. You will be traveling on foot for at least two weeks.

They have a few minutes to gather what they need to get by. Tell them that you are going to give them some choices for what they would take with them in various categories in a survival situation. They should mark their choices on the sheet.

If your time is limited, don't use all of the categories.

(There are some graphics for you to project or print. Right click to save them.)

Water (choose two)

• Save

1. Six bottles of water
2. Water purifying tablets to use with stream water so it doesn't make you sick
3. One large empty water container
4. A hydration backpack with 1 gallon of water

Food (choose two)

• Save

1. 2 pounds of dried beans
2. A fishing pole
3. A box of Twinkies
4. A box of granola bars

Shelter (Choose one)

• Save

1. 100 feet of paracord
2. A hatchet
3. A small tent
4. A tarp

Safety (Choose two)

• Save

1. A first aid kit
2. Matches
3. A fire stick
4. A Swiss army knife

Comfort (Choose one)

• Save

1. A small cooking pot
2. A spare set of underwear
3. Bug spray
4. A sleeping bag

Total your points based on what you chose:

Water Points

1. Six bottles of water
   • + 2 points
   • These save you time, but they are a little heavy to carry. And they will not provide enough water for long
2. Water purifying tablets to use with stream water so it doesn't make you sick
   • + 5 points
   • Sure river water tastes weird, but these will let you fill up along the way, providing a long term solution
3. One large empty water container
   • + 1 points
   • This will be handy to have and you can fill up on water when you find it. But, if you can't find a faucet you will need to purify the water or boil it before drinking
4. A hydration backpack with 1 gallon of water
   • + 2 points
   • This is a handy way to carry your water with you, although it is not as large as the empty container will be. But, you are starting off with a drinking supply.

Food Points

1. 2 pounds of dried beans
   • + 5 points if you brought a cooking pot and a method to start fire
   • These are a great energy source and easy to carry, but only if you can cook them.
2. A fishing pole
   • + 3 points if you have ever caught a fish
   • Fishing is a good source of calories, but catching one isn't as easy as you might think. And if you can't start a fire, you are going to be eating sushi.
3. A box of Twinkies
   • + 1 point
   • OK, it's not the best food source, but it will give you and energy boost and maybe since the world is falling apart you are going to need some comfort.
4. A box of granola bars
   • + 3 points
   • A good choice for the end of the world as we know it.

Shelter Points

1. 100 feet of paracord
   • + 3 points
   • Paracord can be used to tie some branches together to shelter you from the elements and has many other uses
2. A hatchet
   • + 5 points
   • You can cut small trees and evergreen branches and make a lean-to
3. A small tent
   • + 5 points
   • It's hard to beat a tent for shelter, provided you know how to set it up
4. A tarp
   • + 3 points
   • You can wrap up in it like a blanket and if you don't have a tent then it will keep the rain off of you if you make a lean-to.

Safety Points

1. A first aid kit
   • + 5 points
   • You are going to need this when you cut yourself with your hatchet.
2. Matches
   • + 3 points if you have ever started a fire
   • A fire will keep you warm and comfortable.
3. A fire stick
   • + 5 points IF you have ever started a fire using a fire stick
   • Using flint and steel takes some practice, so don't choose this if you don't know how to use it.
4. A Swiss army knife
   • + 3 points
   • So many little tools. So many uses....

Comfort Points

1. A small cooking pot
   • + 5 points IF you have a way to start a fire.
   • This will let you boil water you collect. And if you are scavenging for food, it will taste better cooked.
2. A spare set of underwear
   • + 3 points
   • Yep. This will make you feel better for sure.
3. Bug spray
   • + 2 points
   • If bugs drive you crazy, you're going to want this one
4. A sleeping bag
   • + 4 points
   • Comfy and cozy. And if your shelter plans don't work out, at least you can curl up in your sleeping bag.

Total your points

• Less than 10 points: You are totally unprepared. You're not going to last the first night
• 10 to 19 points: That's a good attempt, but after a few days you are going to be in trouble
• 20 to 29 points: Not bad. Make some friends along the way and help each other out and you might just get by.
• 30 or more points: Good job! Use your skills to help others who are in trouble. Look around. Your friends are going to need you!