Explore & Endure

Survival vs. Treasure

Explorers 

Can your students outwit the island and return with their treasure intact?

In Treasure vs. Survival, every choice counts—and only the cleverest explorers will make it back alive.

**To download the PDFs or Google Docs, you can find those links below the directions. There are full links for the teacher instructions as well as student hand-outs.

Stranded on an uncharted island, your students take on the role of explorers with one goal: survive—and return to the ship with as much gold as they can carry. With only five days of food and water, they must navigate jungle trails, dig for treasure, and endure the dangers that await across the island’s unforgiving terrain. Each roll of the dice brings a fresh choice: press on for riches, or turn back before supplies run out.

Treasure vs. Survival is a fast-paced, high-stakes adventure that challenges students to think critically, plan ahead, and adapt on the fly. As they chart paths, manage gear, and face unpredictable events drawn from custom decks, students sharpen their decision-making and collaboration skills—learning firsthand what it means to weigh risk against reward.

Board game map with pathways, lakes, trees, mountains, and a ship labeled 'Safe Harbor' at the bottom right.
Sign titled 'Survivor's Cache' with an illustration of an open treasure chest and a flame icon. The sign states, 'You uncover an odd supply box. Gain 2 food or 1 item of your choice.'

It’s more than a game.

Treasure vs. Survival gives students more than a game—it gives them a mirror for real-world decision-making. With every turn, they’re asked to balance risk and reward, plan ahead, and adapt to unpredictable obstacles. These aren’t just survival mechanics—they’re opportunities for students to practice perseverance, self-control, and strategic thinking. Whether rerouting to conserve supplies or taking a chance for greater treasure, each choice reinforces the value of thoughtful action and reflective learning.

This experience aligns with Endeavorosity’s core mission: helping students discover their purpose through grit-building adventures that challenge both intellect and character. Treasure vs. Survival rewards not only those who survive, but those who engage fully—learning from setbacks, collaborating with others, and staying focused under pressure. It’s a hands-on reminder that enduring challenges, making tough decisions, and working toward a meaningful goal are all part of what it means to be a resilient learner.

Warning sign for toxic berries with illustration of berries and leaves, indicating to eat before testing, lose one food and one water, ignore if having the fishing hook.
A beige, six-sided die with black dots on each face, resting on a wooden surface.
Warning sign for Thornbush Maze showing a person tangle in thorny bushes with instructions to discard a gear item to avoid getting stuck.

PDFs for teacher downloads

Close-up of a board game called 'Safe Harbor' with miniature ship pieces in white, green, black, and dark blue colors placed on the game board.

Treasure vs. Survival – 5-Day Pacing Guide

Day 1: Story, Setup & Strategy

Focus: Immersion, background, and team formation

  • Read the Island Challenge narrative aloud to set the tone.

  • Introduce the game board, card decks, and goal: survive 10 days and return with the most gold.

  • Explain inventory choices and survival rules.

  • Students select 3 gear items from the 10 available.

  • Practice using the tracker to record food, water, and gold.

  • Optional: Do a mini mock turn as a class for clarity.

Day 2: Early Gameplay & Decisions

Focus: Rule application and risk management

  • Begin the game in pairs or small teams.

  • Monitor food/water tracking and gear usage.

  • Introduce card draws as players land on red and green spaces.

  • Encourage strategic conversations—should they detour for gold or conserve resources?

  • Emphasize movement flexibility and yellow space digging.

Day 3: Continued Gameplay & Collaboration

Focus: Decision-making under pressure

  • Continue game play with 3–5 turns.

  • Reinforce correct resource tracking and card interpretation.

  • Spotlight one or two cards as examples—discuss consequences and choices.

  • Encourage students to help each other problem-solve gear use and rerouting decisions.

  • Midpoint reflection: Who’s playing it safe? Who’s risking it all?

Day 4: Final Turns & Outcomes

Focus: Finishing gameplay, final decisions

  • Wrap up any remaining turns (ensure everyone completes 10 total).

  • Reinforce the “no exact roll” needed to stop at the END space.

  • Have players tally final gold and reflect on gear choices that helped or hurt.

  • Optional: Students journal a brief log entry about their final day on the island.

Day 5: Championship Round & Reflection

Focus: Celebration and learning transfer

  • Select top teams or survivors for a final Championship Round match.

  • Post results to a class leaderboard or bulletin board.

  • Discuss key themes: What was harder than expected? What helped them succeed?

  • Tie it back to classroom values: perseverance, teamwork, and wise decision-making.

  • Optional writing prompt: What kind of explorer are you—and what would you do differently next time?