Twenty-one castaways from across the Lakeland will push themselves to the limit to raise money for KidSport Bonnyville and the chance to walk away with $5,000.
Little Leap Park in Bonnyville will transform into a deserted island to play host to Survivor Lakeland July 11 to 15.
“Competitors are going to battle the elements and each other. They're going to try to outwit, outlast and outplay each other,” said organizer Caitlyn Thompson.
To qualify, chosen applicants had to raise a minimum of $1,000 to donate to KidSport. This would guarantee at least $21,000 for the local organization right from the start.
Three tribes made-up of seven participants each will be tested in a variety of ways, similar to the Survivor television series.
“Our challenges focus on all aspects really. There's going to be some mental and physical challenges, as well as endurance challenges. Castaways might even have to do some food tasting, which we know everybody loves watching,” said Thompson.
Events will take place daily at noon and 6 p.m. Residents who make their way down to the morning show can enjoy a barbecue between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Thompson couldn't reveal specific details on events, but did hint at a few possibilities.
“I can't give too much away. We might do things like test their endurance by seeing how long they can hold themselves up on a pole, maybe we have a couple puzzles. It could be anything,” she explained.
Competitors will have to use strategy and gamesmanship if they hope to avoid being voted off the island.
“There's going to be a lot of alliance forming, blindsiding, backstabbing and friend making. It's going to be a mixture of a bunch of things,” said Cold Lake cast away Amanda Yagminas.
An abundance strategizing will take place over the course of the competition, as contestants shift their view from charity to victory.
“For me, up to this point it's been about raising money for KidSport and that's truly what I want to do. When the day comes and we finally get on that bus together, it's all about that prize,” she added.
Standing in her way will be 20 other players with the same goal, some will be enemies, some will be teammates, but in the end only one will be the sole survivor.
Taking home the cash won't be easy, organizers will use various skill-testing events to keep contestants on their toes.
“From what I understand it's going to be a combination of The Amazing Race, Big Brother, and Survivor. We're all going to have to go into it with an open mind and a do anything attitude because we have no idea what to expect,” explained Yagminas.
The secrecy of the event makes preparation nearly impossible, instead competitors will have to rely on their instincts to help them progress through the game.
No matter who becomes the last person standing, each player will be able to hold their head high knowing they raised money for a good cause.
This is Yagminas' first year participating.
She said, “In the end it's all about the charity. It's about raising money for the kids and helping out people in the community, and I think it's a really fun way of doing it.”.
