Seven Days of Survival!

SEVEN DAYS OF

SURVIVAL!

An Epic Contest Brought to You by the Gamemakers of Division 1

Copyright © 2015 The Writers’ Exchange This book was created by Ms. Rubin’s Division 1 class at Sir William Macdonald Elementary in the spring of 2015.

The Writers’ Exchange makes literacy exciting and accessible for inner-city kids through free mentoring and creative writing projects like this chapbook. All Writers’ Exchange programs are free for the children and families we serve, so we could not exist without the support of generous donors, including Bernard MacLeod, Marily Mearns, Megan Abbott, Linda Louis, Lindsay Mearns, Nancy and Ted Maitland, anonymous donor, the Waterbury Foundation, TELUS, Coast Capital Savings Credit Union, the Vancouver Foundation, the Grayross Foundation held at the Vancouver Foundation, RBC Foundation and the CKNW Orphans’ Fund. Thank you. And thank you to the amazing volunteer mentors who work with the kids in all Writers’ Exchange programs so that each child can succeed to the best of his or her ability.

881 East Hastings Vancouver, BC V6A 1R8 To read more great student writing, visit vancouverWE.com Writers’ Exchange mentors: Aly, Carolyn, Jacqueline, Jen, Kirsten, Ross, Simran and Taylor Editorial support: Melissa Design and layout: Claire Balderston, clairebalderston.com

Writers’ Exchange in-school projects are made possible by the Vancouver Foundation and Coast Capital Savings Credit Union.

Printing for this chapbook was generously donated by Hemlock.

The Writers’ Exchange is a project of Tides Canada Initiatives Society.

Introduction We worked in teams and created plans for a survival contest that takes place at Sir William Macdonald Elementary. There were rules we had to stick to and a list of supplies we could use. A main rule was that we had to use plants that are native to B.C. The survival contest lasts for seven days and all of the courses are really tricky and difficult. Be careful!

Table of Contents Rules and supplies ..................................................... 2 The Nature Trackers .................................................. 4 The Creative Writers’ Team ......................................... 8 The Enderzombies ....................................................... 12 The Royal Tacos ........................................................ 16 Team Anonymous ........................................................ 20 Team Dream Catcher ................................................... 24 Waffle Panda ............................................................ 28 Gallery .................................................................... 32 Design your own arena! .............................................. 36

Rules for the Gamemakers 1.

esign a green course to try to stop contestants from escaping D Sir William Macdonald Elementary and its school boundaries.

2.

Use only the tools and supplies included on the supply list.

3.

o harming contestants. If someone gets hurt, they will be safely flown in N a helicopter to the nearest hospital.

4.

You must include a helicopter pad in your plans.

5.

All ground surfaces must be covered in plants.

6.

The plants must be indigenous to British Columbia.

7.

You must include edible plants and water in the design.

8.

The course must include a maze.

9.

Some courses may ban climbing.

10.

Have fun!

List of Materials • • • • • •

Hammer Saw Rope Shovel Nails (only for construction) Duct tape

• • • • •

Super glue Wood (unlimited) Dirt (unlimited) Sand (unlimited) Air (unlimited)

Rules for Contestants 1.

ou will have a maximum of seven days to escape from Y Sir William Macdonald Elementary School.

2.

No weapons or tools are allowed.

3.

ou will be provided with clothing and shoes.

Y No other supplies will be allowed.

4.

No outside help is allowed.

5.

If you cheat, you will be disqualified.

6.

All food will be kept in traps.

7. You can only eat once a day, but you can have as much water as you need.

8.

Only one hint per person will be provided.

9.

Contestants must pay a fee to the gamemakers.

10.

Hands to yourself. Do not touch people.

11.

Contestants must stand still for two hours a day.

12.

No shouting allowed (except if you’re hurt).

13.

If contestants escape, they get a prize.

14.

If contestants cannot escape, the gamemakers get a prize.

Good luck!

The Nature Trackers Gamemakers

Jacob, Julianne & L.A.

Volunteer mentor Ross

The Plan Our maze is difficult because there is so much going on. Our maze is huge, with mudslides and waterslides—and there is a giant caterpillar! Or, actually, a panda!

Devil’s club is around a wooden fence that will be built.

Exciting Highlights

Food Sources • There will be fishy crackers covered in mud.

• There will be food in the thorn maze.

• Muddy slides and mazes.

• Ugly thorns.

Biggest Dangers • Contestants could trip into the devil’s club.

• The stinging nettle has stinging thorns.

We’re most proud of...

Having only one way out, and the chance of falling into a hole. Also that it is dark and creepy.

teamwork tips!

We made funny faces, and everyone had a turn thinking and telling their ideas. Everyone drew on the map!

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7 days of survival!

The plants Licorice Fern Plant facts!

It can be used as medicine.

Why we used it

To put in our thorn maze.

Because it is helpful.

Chocolate Tips Plant facts!

You can eat the shoots.

Devil’s Club Why we used it

Contestants can’t climb over the fence, because it could hurt them.

They can’t use it for anything.

Stinging Nettle Plant facts!

It has nutritious flowers.

It can be poisonous.

It has thorns.

Why we used it

Because it is tall.

Because it is thorny.

7 days of survival!

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The nature trackers Arena Contestants climb a ladder to get water (ladder is covered in devil’s club)

Devil’s club surrounds the way out

Bamboo in the square lawn

Plant path to follow in thorn maze Devil’s club around the large maze

Stinging nettle, chocolate tips and licorice fern in the thorn maze

Black tree lichen around the thorn maze

The Creative Writers’ Team Gamemakers

Angela, Keri & Kiersten

Volunteer mentors Kirsten & Carolyn

The Plan Our contestants are dropped by helicopter at the top of a tall Sitka spruce tree.

It is midnight. They have to do all their challenges in the dark and sleep in the daytime.

They each get a flashlight.

They have to go through a maze to find a fish pond and try to catch fish to eat.

They are only allowed to eat once a day. They have to climb a big hill to get water. They can also drink water from the roots of the horse tail. They are allowed to eat soap berries as well.

Every day they have to pick up instructions and challenges on the rooftop of the school. They have to rock climb up the sides of the school with a rope. There is a high fence all around. It is very cold so they have to build a shelter. They could use sticks and plants and extra rope. They also have to make their own fishing rod and cups to drink.

Our game design motto is: “Be creative, even if you don’t feel you are.”

Exciting Highlights

Food Sources

Biggest Dangers

• Fish. They have to go • It is very cold at night.

• Contestants have to do through a maze to get • They have to build challenges in the dark, them. shelter. with only a flashlight.

• They can only fish once a • Contestants will sleep day, in the dark. during the day.

• People will climb down things.

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7 days of survival!

We’re most proud of...

The maze, and deciding to make the challenges happen in the dark.

The plants Horse Tail Plant facts!

It is scratchy and toxic to livestock.

Why we used it It will be difficult to get down the tree at the start of the course because it is scratchy.

You can eat horse tail and drink water from it.

Soap Berry Plant facts!

It can be eaten or used for medicine.

The plant can have different uses.

Why we used it To try to attract people to eat the berries.

People can use it for medicine, food and soap.

Sitka Spruce Plant Facts!

It is used for gum, cake and as a laxative.

People can chew the gum.

Why we used it As a tree to climb up and see the course.

Because of the name.

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The Creative Writers’ Team Arena Different trap each day

Dead end

Water will run down building

Maze

Food delivery each day

Food on top of mountain

There are noises at night and the design changes

Contestants drop into the tree

Contestants jump from mountain

Check-in stations at each corner

The Enderzombies Gamemakers

D.S., William B. & William T.

Volunteer mentor Aly

The Plan Our design is really cool because we made it by ourselves and it’s really tricky.

Our maze is easy and simple but it will be confusing.

Exciting Highlights

Food Sources

• They can get at the • Watching the food by not falling in the contestants survive. traps, such as by using a • Seeing food in the traps. tight rope.

• People crossing rope bridges.

We’re most proud of...

The maze, and the school.

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7 days of survival!

Biggest Dangers • The “Death Run.” • They have to build shelter.

The plants Skunk Cabbage Plant facts!

You can make it into tea.

You can wrap it on salmon.

Why we used it

It will be hard to find food in it because it is so stinky.

Sitka Spruce Plant facts!

It is a large evergreen.

You can make Sitka spruce gum.

Why we used it

To hide food and objects.

Soap Berry Plant Facts!

It is 1–4 metres tall.

You can make soap out of it.

Why we used it

To hide food. To block people’s view.

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The enderzombies Arena Sound effects

Skunk cabbage by a pond with food

Wall in front of exit

This is called a deadly maze: the Death Run!

Food traps

Arrows pointing in wrong directions

The Royal Tacos Gamemakers

Hannah, Joannah & P.D.

Volunteer mentor Taylor

The Plan Contestants have to collect food from an island surrounded by a moat. After collecting the food, they start a maze. The maze has skunk cabbage in it. It also has hidden traps. The maze path will get more narrow near the exit of the maze.

Exciting Highlights

Food Sources

• There will be a competition.

• If contestants get injured, a helicopter will come pick them up.

• Horse tail, chocolate tips and berries.

We’re most proud of... teamwork tips!

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Biggest Dangers • Falling into a pit of mud or devil’s club.

The maze!

We listened to each other’s ideas.

7 days of survival!

The plants Chocolate Tips Plant facts!

You can eat the baby shoots and use it for shelter.

Why we used it

To block ways by hanging them up high.

Because we like the name.

Horse Tail Plant facts!

You can use it as food.

Why we used it

As a food source—you can eat it.

Contestants drink from it (sometimes they have water in the stem).

Why we used it

Skunk Cabbage

The odour of skunk cabbage attracts flies.

It can be made into a cone-like container to gather wild foods or water.

It can be used for food and medicine.

Plant facts!

It releases a garbage smell.

It is used for medicine for cuts and swelling.

Devil’s Club Plant facts!

Its stems are 1–3 metres tall.

It has yellow spines that are 5–10 mm long.

Devil’s club can make people itchy.

Why we used it

It can block people from going through the fence.

It’s useful, tall and sharp.

They can eat it and use it for medicine!

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The royal tacos Arena Devil’s club near the fences

Buildings and helicopter pad Maze Mud

Skunk cabbage in the tunnel

Booby traps

Chocolate tips and horse tail on the island

Water around the playground/island

Team Anonymous Gamemakers

DJ, Phillip & Steven

Volunteer mentor Simran

The Plan The arena will be hard to escape because it’s surrounded by devil’s club and there is no climbing allowed. The pit is the hardest obstacle because they’ll get stuck and it is surrounded by skunk cabbage. Yarrow will be on the bridge and in the pit.

Exciting Highlights

Food Sources

• Watching people struggle to survive.

• Ads will come before suspenseful scenes.

• Instrumental music will build up.

• Contestants will be physically strong looking.

Biggest Dangers

• Fiber One bars under • Getting stuck in the pit. the side of the pit.

• Trapping people inside • Soap berries on the the school. stairs.

• Devil’s club and skunk • Berries by the dumpster. cabbage in the maze.

We’re most proud of...

The sign over the pit and the maze that leads to the pit.

teamwork tips!

20

We voted on what to do and had discussions.

7 days of survival!

The plants Devil’s Club Plant facts!

It is medicine for vision, stomach troubles, insanity, fever, flu, broken bones and arthritis.

It is a thorny plant.

Why we used it We liked the name.

It can hurt people with its thorns.

If they are smart enough, contestants can use it to heal their wounds.

Skunk Cabbage

Why we used it

Plant facts!

Its leaves can be used for drying and cooking food.

The roots can be used for medicine.

It smells.

We put it near the helicopter pad and in the maze.

Yarrow Plant facts!

It can stop the flow of blood.

It can cause severe allergic skin rashes.

Why we used it Because the first five words we read were “stopping the flow of blood.”

Contestants can use it for food.

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the team anonymous Arena

Bridge is connected from the pit to the school rooftop.

Super glue on the ground of the pit, which makes it hard to escape

if contestants want to reach the helicopter pad, they must cross the bridge

Soap berries around the dumpster

Team Dream Catcher Gamemakers

Aysa, Lenard & Rosita

Volunteer mentor Jen

The Plan We are going to catch contestants on the hill with a trap door. There will be quicksand, dirt, mud and a fort that collapses. A wooden pail with water will fall on contestants at the fort. Rocks leading to the maze will be helpful to contestants but could also hurt them. Fog will make it hard to see.

Exciting Highlights

Food Sources

• Watching contestants get caught in the trap door.

• Watching contestants do parkour.

• Watching them dig out of the hill with their hands.

• Salmon berries, salmon and red laver seaweed.

Biggest Dangers • If they climb on the fort, it will collapse.

• They might run into the big Sitka spruces.

We’re most proud of...

The whole design, especially the skunk cabbage and parkour course.

The “clouds” are fog. (Shhhh, don’t tell anyone!)

teamwork tips!

24

We listened to each other and problem solved.

7 days of survival!

The plants Western Larch Plant facts!

You can drink the sap.

You can eat it.

Why we used it As a block.

The name is cool.

Horse Tail Plant facts!

It can be used as a weapon.

It can be used as food.

Why we used it We put it in the maze.

You can use it as a weapon and for eating.

Bull Thistle Why we used it It will keep people in the maze.

It is prickly and nice.

It can be used as a weapon.

7 days of survival!

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the team dream catcher Arena Collapsible fort

Hill with hidden hole on top

Sitka spruce to block contestants Salmon berries with chocolate tips and quicksand underneath Parkour course

Skunk cabbage underneath parkour boards

Salmon pond with seaweed

Berry patch with rocks and sticks to make it hard for contestants

Waffle Panda Gamemakers

Carissa, Joanna, K.C. & Mina

Volunteer mentor Jacqueline

The Plan All the food is behind the skunk cabbage, and there is a 20-foot-tall wall surrounding the water source, so it will be difficult for contestants to access the water. There is a pit that contestants can fall into. Skunk cabbage will create an unpleasant smell for contestants throughout the course.

Exciting Highlights

Food Sources

Biggest Dangers

• Soapberry • A 20-foot wall that con• Contestants will fall into (either dried or fresh). testants must climb in the river and into pits.

• Skunk cabbage order to access water.

• Contestants will fall into (if contestants are smart, the devil’s club. they can boil the roots to • They’ll get lost in the make tea). maze.

• These edibles will be hidden.

We’re most proud of...

The battlefield (the gravel field).

teamwork tips!

We listened to one another. We tried out each idea.

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7 days of survival!

The plants Devil’s Club Plant facts!

It is a tall, deciduous shrub.

It is punky and thick and has strong arms.

It is heart-shaped at the base.

Why we used it We put it around the end and around the maze traps.

It can be used for a lot of medicines.

Skunk Cabbage Plant facts!

The roots can be made into tea.

The leaves can be used for cooking and drying food.

Why we used it Because of the smell.

Soap Berry Plant facts!

Its scientific name is shepherdia canadensis.

It can become soap if crushed or boiled.

It is used to treat the flu and indigestion.

Why we used it It is edible—it will feed contestants.

It is edible both dried and fresh.

It can be made into tea for cures.

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the waffle panda Arena Dense Western hemlock, planted to create maze-like conditions

The baby centre is a shelter. There is devil’s club inside (Ouch! It’s a trap)

Soap berries hidden in trap areas for food and tea

The green pit is a trap covered with foliage. it is a pit that contestants fall into

20-foot-tall wall surrounding water source Skunk cabbage to create an unpleasant smell throughout course

gallery

Team Anonymous Arena

The Royal Tacos Arena

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7 days of survival!

Team Dreamcatcher Arena

The Nature Trackers Arena

7 days of survival!

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The Enderzombies Arena

Waffle Panda Arena

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7 days of survival!

The Creative Writers’ Team Arena

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design your own arena!

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