Rival Outposts

Rival Outposts

Rival Outposts

A 4-player outdoor team mission game for kids, played with Video Walkie Talkies

Ages: 6–12
Players: 4 (two teams of two)
Setting: Garden, backyard, or local park
Play time: 25–40 minutes
Skills built: teamwork, strategy, communication, negotiation, friendly competition
Equipment needed: 2 pairs of Mission Mates (4 units total)


The Premise

Two rival outposts are racing to complete the same mission — and only one team can win. Each outpost has a Scout in the field and a Control back at base, working together over video just like in Nature Scout & Base Camp. But this time, there's another outpost out there doing the exact same thing, and radios can be used to trade intel, bluff, or throw the other team off the trail.

It's teamwork and rivalry in the same game — perfect for two sets of siblings, a playdate with two pairs of friends, or a birthday party activity.


What You'll Need

  • 4x Mission Mates video walkie talkies (2 matching pairs, ideally in two different colors — e.g., blue pair for Team Blue, pink pair for Team Pink)
  • A shared checklist of items to find (same list for both teams — see Field Log below)
  • 2x pencils and 2x paper copies of the checklist (one per team)
  • A garden, backyard, or park with enough space for two "bases" set apart from each other


Setup (5–10 minutes)

  1. Form two teams of two. Each team has one Scout (goes exploring) and one Control (stays at base).
  2. Set up two separate bases, ideally out of easy earshot of each other — opposite ends of the garden, or one on the porch and one at a picnic table.
  3. Give both Controls an identical checklist, for example:
    • 3 different leaf shapes
    • 1 flying creature
    • 1 crawling creature
    • 2 different flower colors
    • 1 something that makes a sound
    • 1 something taller than the Scout
    • 1 something smaller than a thumb
  4. Confirm walkie talkie channels/pairing — each team's two units should only talk to each other by default (Scout ↔ their own Control), with an agreed rule for when teams are allowed to radio the other team (see Enemy Contact below).


How to Play

  1. On "Go," both Scouts head out to search their surroundings, calling in finds to their own Control over video, just like in Nature Scout & Base Camp.
  2. Each Control checks off items on their checklist as their Scout confirms them.
  3. Enemy Contact (the twist): At any point, a team can choose to radio the other team's walkie talkie to:
    • Trade intel — offer a true tip ("there's a ladybug near the fence") in exchange for one back
    • Bluff — offer a fake or misleading tip to slow the other team down
    • Scout the scene — ask what the other team has left to find, and decide whether to believe the answer
  4. Teams can accept, decline, or ignore enemy contact — it's optional, but usually makes the game far more fun and chaotic.
  5. First team to complete their full checklist calls "Mission Complete!" over the radio to declare victory.


Winning the Game

The first team to check off every item on their Field Log and radio in "Mission Complete!" wins. If nobody finishes, set a timer (20–25 minutes) and whichever team has the most items checked off when time's up wins instead.

Play again with roles swapped — Scouts become Controls and vice versa — so every kid gets both experiences.


Ways to Level It Up

  • Sabotage Tokens: Give each team one "sabotage" they can use once — e.g., forcing the other Scout to hop on one foot for 30 seconds, or making the other Control close their eyes for 10 seconds during a call-in.
  • Shared Mystery Item: Add one rare bonus item worth double points that both teams are hunting for — first team to find it gets a big lead.
  • Silent Enemy Contact Only: Teams can only communicate with the rival base by written note passed by a "runner," not by radio — slows the game down and adds a fun logistics challenge.
  • Junior Mode (ages 4–6): Drop the bluffing/sabotage twist and just play it as a straightforward two-team race — simpler and still very fun.

🏆 EARN YOUR RIVAL OUTPOST BADGE

Once your Adventurer has completed this mission, ask a parent or guardian to simply reply to any Adventure Club email with the words "Mission Complete — [Mission Name]" and one thing you spotted, found, or achieved along the way. We'll send your special badge within 24 hours.

No photographs of children are required. We trust you.

Not an Adventure Club member yet? Join free — your Membership Badge is waiting the moment you sign up, and new missions arrive every Friday.

[JOIN THE ADVENTURE CLUB — button linking to signup]

Keep exploring,
The Mission Mates Team

 

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