Have you ever wondered how far you could push your body and mind? Do you crave an adrenaline rush and the chance to test your grit? For adventurous spirits seeking a hardcore test of endurance, extreme survival games offer the ultimate thrill.

I first got hooked on these intense challenges after binge-watching a full season of a reality show called Survivor. If you haven’t seen it, the basic premise is that a group of strangers get abandoned together on a remote island and must find food, water, and shelter while competing in crazy contests. Only one person can claim the grand prize in the end.

Watching people get pushed to their breaking point made me wonder – could I tough that out? Some of the stubbled, mud-caked contestants made living rough look fun! Of course, I knew this Hollywood version was all clever editing and some comforts behind the scenes for liability reasons. But it still got my adrenaline pumping and made me want to challenge my own limits.

Luckily, there are plenty of extreme survival experiences popping up around the world these days for us adventure-seekers. These programs often involve military-style training and simulated disaster scenarios. The chance of danger might be low, but they promise to work you hard, push you mentally, and definitely get your blood racing!

One such survival camp in Texas called Prepper Camp offers a 3-day Extreme Survival class for around $500 per person. Training includes wilderness medical aid, conceal and carry self-defense, knife fighting, archery, and something ominously called “seek and evade”. Meals are included, but I hope you like MRE packet food! At least you might spot some wild hogs while learning to live off the land. An instructor warns “This will NOT be glamping or spooning under the stars!” Better be prepared to earn that badge of honor!

For a few grand more, another hardcore immersive experience called Panic Room promises 4 days of nonstop Special Ops training with ex-military coaches. Get ready to hike for miles loaded down with supplies, navigate by compass, engage in mock missions, and maybe get grabbed by a pretend enemy combatant yelling in your face. Sounds scary but fun! All that action could make even the nicest hotel feel boring afterward. I’d better start some hardcore workouts so I don’t fall too far behind the group. No one wants to be the weak link when tensions and stakes seem sky-high!

Of course I’ve also fantasized about trying my own mock Hunger Games adventure. What diehard fan of the books and movies hasn’t? My college roommate and I used to imagine turning our thick woods behind the dorms into an arena filled with snares, hidden shelters, camouflaged weapon stashes and more. The winning tribute would get serious bragging rights (and maybe the loser’s dessert for a week!).

While I’d never suggest anyone attempt deadly boobytraps, we could make it work safely with some nerf guns, volunteer “victims” in bright jerseys, and an understanding of our campus safety rules. Maybe we can even get the student activities council involved and make our war game an annual event! Sign me up to be a tough District 2 tribute – I think I could make a friendship bracelet snare just like Katniss to catch you off guard. Let the 74th games begin!

Of course, I realize not everyone wants to spend multiple cold, wet nights sleeping under a tarp, eating grub worms for protein. But even less extreme versions of survival games can deliver that adrenaline thrill I crave in smaller doses.obst

For example, a Maryland green space called The Grounds offers adult hide-and-seek games at night amid 130 wooded acres. Up to 100 people pay $20 for 3 hours of sneaking through the forest, trying not to get caught by “sentries” with flashlights who chase you towards “jail”. Getting tagged means doing 10 pushups before you can dash off again into the dark woods, heart racing! Customers rave about feeling like a stealthy kid again while working up a sweat. Talk about tapping into old primal survival instincts! I’d probably be giggling and shrieking the whole time.

So if you’re an adrenaline junkie like me eager to test your survivor skills (or find your inner Katniss!), options abound in 2023 for unique adventure. Just be ready to sign that waiver, lace up your boots tight, and maybe gargle some protein-rich bugs or mystery meat. Do you have what it takes to come out on top when things get ugly? I know one way to find out! Race you to registration for that next survival camp. Just try not to make me your first target – I still owe my mom a phone call next week!