Reward Challenge

Reward Challenges are challenges that are used at both the tribal and individual level. Sometimes paired with Immunity Challenges, winning these challenges can provide tribes, individuals, or groups of individuals with items that make life at camp easier, escapes from the game, or a prize that they can enjoy after the game is completed.
==Tribal Rewards==
During the tribal phase of the game, earlier Reward Challenges offer items that will improve camp life. But as the game reaches its halfway point, meals, and feasts are offered. These are the most recurring tribal rewards:
* Fire-making supplies such as flint or matches; commonly offered as the first reward item of the season
* Additional fishing supplies such as fishing gear bait, fishing spear, tackle box and fishing boat
* Tarps, pillows, blankets and hammocks
* A tool kit containing a hammer, nails, saw, rope
* Additional food rations ranging from fresh produce (fruits, vegetables, spices), protein (raw fish or meat, live chickens), processed items (canned goods, trail mix, confectionaries)
*Food or supplies chosen from a catalog sent through Tree Mail
* Full meals; usually given mid-late pre-merge onwards
* Trips to local recreational and/or historical sites
* A clue to a Hidden Immunity Idol, which may be hidden in one of the reward items 
* Letters from home and/or actual loved ones being allowed to visit camp
* Bath products
===Hero Challenges===
First used in the premiere episode of and later in the premiere of , Hero Challenges are Reward Challenges which are used in lieu of group Reward Challenges. Castaways face-off one-on-one, in which the winner of the challenge wins reward for their tribe.
It became a main twist during the pre-merge portion of , in which the loser would be sent to (with someone from the winning tribe being chosen by the winner to go with them).
It was used once again as a common Reward Challenge in .
==Do-It-Yourself Challenges==
: See also: Do-It-Yourself Challenge
While most Reward Challenges are overseen by host Jeff Probst, two seasons have featured Do-It-Yourself Reward Challenges.
==Individual Rewards==
For post-merger rewards, the members of the merged tribe compete as individual units. There are some cases though that the merged tribe is separated into groups to compete for the reward. In most cases, if the number of players cannot be divisible into equal-numbered groups, either a single player wins the challenge (with the choice of choosing a tribemate to share his/her reward with), or divide them into groups, with one person singled out. These are the most recurring individual rewards over the seasons:
* Feasts
* Spa/bath days
* A visit from a loved one or letters from home
* An overnight accommodation to a luxury hotel or yacht
* Movie rewards
* A car
* An advantage at the next Immunity Challenge
* A clue to a Hidden Immunity Idol (in lieu of )
===Survivor Auction===
: See also: Survivor Auction
The Survivor Auction is a special Reward Challenge where the players are given money and must outbid each other to obtain certain items, mostly food. From onwards, items available in the auction may sometimes include game advantages such as a Challenge Advantage for the upcoming Immunity Challenge, a clue to the Hidden Immunity Idol, or an Extra Vote.
===Loved Ones Challenges===
: See also: Loved Ones Challenge
Some Reward Challenges have the castaways' loved ones also participate on it. The reward usually in Loved Ones Challenges are spending spending a day with their loved ones or having the privilege to watch or chat with their loved ones through a video tape or the Internet respectively.
==Strategy==
During the pre-merge stage of the game, tribes that are allowed to sit out members may opt to let a weaker tribe member compete for the Reward Challenge so their stronger tribe members may compete at the Immunity Challenge to potentially better their chances of escaping Tribal Council.
Usually after the merge, winning Reward Challenges that entails leaving camp can be used for strategic gain. The winner(s) may be asked to pick one or more companions and use the time away from camp to talk about future voting options, whether to strengthen a bond between allies to solidify a voting plan, or take a non-ally to expand the winner's options. In this case, choosing a companion would be a tricky situation, as it could expose certain voting blocs that might not be known to the other contestants. Those who remain at camp during the reward could use this as an opportunity to band against the reward winners. It was notable in that several post-merge reward winners opted to forfeit their prize as either as a kind gesture, or to gain favor later in the game.
==References==
Category:Gameplay
Category:Challenges
Category:Survivor (franchise)
Category:Survivor (U.S.)