Survivor Weekend started in 2011 with 4 tribes from one university. It’s now 12 tribes from 22 college campuses. Students join tribes, or teams, based on their location and college campus, travel to northern Arizona, and compete against their peers from across the Southwest.

Survivor Weekend is hosted by the Campus Changer Network and Hope Church Movement, but it’s not a church camp. Pastor Brian and Wendy Smith, founders of Survivor Weekend and Hope Church Movement, said it was their individual college experiences that inspired them to start this event in 2011. “This didn’t exist when I was in college and I wish it had. Our team created Survivor Weekend so that students would have an opportunity to belong to a tribe that has their back.” - Pastor Brian Smith

We believe that every person matters and has a fundamental need to belong. So, anyone from any background is welcome to join their tribe, have fun and make friends fast as they’re starting college. Research now shows when college students have a sense of belonging, it can lead to a reduction in depression, loneliness, hopelessness and social anxiety. Universities are even creating new positions called the Dean of Belonging because they recognize how much of a role a sense of belonging contributes to student’s success. Pastor Brian talks more about the challenges college freshmen face when they first arrive on campus in his book, Winning the Battle to Belong.

Survivor Weekend has won awards for its excellence from one of the nation’s largest universities, but more importantly, students form relationships that help them belong. These relationships last throughout their college years and beyond, that’s why we say “choose your tribe before your trail”. You have to experience it first hand to see the music, mud and competition! Join your tribe and register today.