Wilderness Relay

Name and Purpose

Wilderness Relay takes teams through three adventure challenges . portage, mountain climb, and backpack hike . using only each other.
Players build trust, communication, and physical teamwork in a high-energy relay format.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 16-30 players in teams of 8-10 | 20-30 minutes | Open field or gym, minimum 30m long

Materials

Quick-Run Card

Divide into equal teams of 8-10. Line up at one end.
Leg 1 . Portage: one player (the canoe) is carried by teammates down the field and back.
Leg 2 . Mountain: at the far end, team forms a low pyramid and one player steps carefully over.
Leg 3 . Backpack: teams pair up for a three-legged walk (ankles tied with a bandana) back to the start line.
First team to complete all three legs with everyone across the finish line wins.

Setup and Boundaries

Mark a clear start line and a turnaround point at the far end (cones recommended)
Ensure at least 5 metres of clear space between parallel team lanes
Signal: 1 short whistle = pause; 2 whistles = stop and gather immediately
Check ground for holes, uneven patches, or wet areas before play
Leg 1 carry: canoe player lies across linked arms . teams move at a controlled jog, not a sprint
Leg 2 pyramid: pyramid must stay low (maximum 2 tiers). Climber steps across, not jumps.
Leg 3 three-legged walk: set a firm no-running rule for paired walkers . steady pace only. Bandanas tied loosely at the ankle

How to Play

Divide into teams of 8-10 with even numbers where possible.
Leg 1 . Portage the Canoe: Team selects a canoe volunteer. All other members form two rows facing each other and link arms to create a carrying platform. The canoe player lies across the platform. The team carries them at a controlled walking pace to the far end and back.
Leg 2 . Climb the Mountain: At the far end, all team members except one form a low pyramid (maximum 2 tiers, hands and knees only). The remaining player steps carefully across the pyramid from one side to the other. No jumping.
Leg 3 . Backpack Home: Teams pair up. Partners tie their inside ankles together with a bandana for a three-legged walk back to the start line. Walking pace only. Pairs coordinate their steps and communicate throughout.
First team to complete all three legs and have all players across the finish line wins.
If teams finish at different speeds, all teams complete all three legs before results are announced . this keeps every team engaged to the end.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Volunteer as the canoe, the mountain climber, or a three-legged walker
S (Support): Hold the carry platform steady in the middle position; coordinate calls for the team
Q (Quiet): Take a platform position that is stable and lower impact; walk at the team’s pace
O (Observer): Watch Leg 1 and join in for Leg 2 or 3 when comfortable

Inclusion Adaptations

Canoe role: the carried player must consent and feel comfortable. Offer the role as a choice, never an assignment.
Three-legged walk alternative: players who prefer not to tie ankles can walk side by side holding a shared bandana between them instead
Pyramid alternative: players who cannot participate in the pyramid due to physical limitations can form a low barrier (crouching or kneeling on one tier only) or stand as a goal-post marker at the side.

Stewardship Moment

No materials are used. Reflect: “We just did a full wilderness relay using nothing but each other.”
60-second field check: each team scans their lane for any personal items before leaving.

Consent

Pre-brief: “This relay involves carrying and being carried. Every role is a choice . there is no pressure to be the canoe or the mountain climber. For those who prefer to take a support or pace-setting role, that is a full part of the relay.”
Canoe volunteer: ask for a volunteer, never assign. If no one volunteers, skip the carry and have the whole team jog to the far end together.
Mid-relay check: At the transition between legs, quick thumbs check . how is everyone feeling before the next leg?
Opt-out/re-entry: Players can step to the side at any leg transition and rejoin for the next leg.

Risks and Mitigation

Carry platform collapse: team must move at walking pace only; platform members lock arms firmly before lifting
Pyramid instability: limit to 2 tiers maximum; no one stands on another person’s back; climber steps, never jumps
Three-legged stumble: walking pace only; pairs practise a few steps before the relay begins. Bandanas tied loosely so they can be pulled free if needed
Uneven team numbers: staff joins the smaller team to balance, or the last pair on the odd team completes their leg solo at a jogging pace

Warm-Up Suggestions

Trust Lean: pairs stand back to back, lean gently into each other, find balance. Builds physical trust before carrying.
Arm Link Walk: the whole team links arms and walks from one end to the other in sync. Practises the Leg 1 coordination.

Debrief Questions

What? “Which leg was the most challenging for your team? What slowed you down?”
So What? “What did you notice about how you communicated when things were physically difficult?”
Now What? “When do you need to literally support someone else in your life?”

Cleanup and Reset