I don’t fully understand Challenges

[29roadie]

This is probably a dumb question or more than likely a bunch of dumb questions but here it is anyway.   

I understand the idea of a challenge. Some of it’s pretty obvious.
Do what’s outlined in the challenge and you receive an award and a merit badge icon for that challenge.
It’s just dawned on me why everyone was so into MacGyver here.🤣 I know it would have helped if I simply read the first post in the thread. I realize that now of course but for whatever reason I didn’t.

I’ve tried to search the topic but so many uses of the word “challenge” on the forum made that a little hard to find what I needed.
Through doing that I learned about the awards tab in the profile section.
The awards are listed along with their icons and a brief requirement to achieve that award.

- Some awards say “Start a new thread and do X for X amount of days”. That’s pretty clear. That one is open. I could start a thread in the appropriate forum now and do what was instructed for the time required to then get the award. Is this correct?
Is there any difference between “start a thread” and “start a NEW thread” both are used in the award details?

- When it says “participate in a challenge thread and post X for X days consecutive” does that mean at any point a person could start that challenge or does it close? I see guys asking about starting a challenge in a particular month. Does that mean everyone has to start at that time like the first of the month and then it’s closed? So if you start on the second of the month you’ve blown it already? Understand I personally have no problem with either. I just wanted to know what awards are closed basically because I don’t know how to tell. Basically can you revive a stale challenge or is it done?

- To participate in one of the announced challenges do you have to pre register your name first leading up to it?

- Is there anything I have to do to keep track of my posts for that challenge or notify someone after or is that something the person hosting the challenge does?

I know that’s a lot. Pretend I don’t know anything because that’s probably the case. 

[IMR4198]

   If nobody answers a question, I am bound by contract to fill in.  Here goes.
   Generally speaking, there are 30 day challenges and other.  Others might be a self-starter.  Something like show your flashlight in a new thread.  Write a little spiel.  Post a photo.  Apply for your badge.
    There are no awards.  Just a badge.   30 day challenges usually start on day one of a month.  Post a photo conforming with the rules and write a little if you feel like it.  'Best practice' is to sign up ahead of time.  Also you need to number your posts.  Day one.  Day two, etc.  That way, whoever is giving out the badges knows when you did or didn't post.  Try to post one a day.  Every day.  Circumstance sometimes don't allow.  Sickness.  No internet.  Busted compooter.  Travel.  Rules say post one a day, so try to do it.  Start on day one.  Finish on day thirty, if possible. 
     The best way to get a feel for the challenges is to read the posts on a challenge thread.  A challenge should be fun, but it should take you out of your ordinary habits.  Try something new.  Some of the members use a challenge as a reason to buy things.  Not required, but some like to do that.  There is a thread on how to apply for a badge once you finish.
     I would suggest you try something simple to start.  Do a duct tape badge post.  Or outdoor cooking.  Start your own thread and write something with a photo or two.  Learn how to apply for a badge.  Then if something comes along in a 30 day challenge that you are interested in..... Give that a try.  No penalty for early withdrawal.  Nobody will say a word.  Check out the list for upcoming challenges under the General Tool forum.  Best wishes.  Gary
 

[LoopCutter]

Also,  the badge listing detailing a challenge, was actually formulated to be completed by a lone member. Post a picture in a thread you started and stated your intentions on day you created and committed to the challenge you selected.   
It is also advise to start one challenge, and complete that challenge before attempting another.

The group challenges just happen, one member selects a challenge, sets the rules and issues an open invite to AWL members with interest.  The challenge and awl posts are normally  inputted in that thread by awl participants.  Easy to locate, easy to follow along.

The most reason challenge I am aware was completed by BARRY ROWLAND, detailing his 30 days utilizing his Aqua Signal Leatherman tool.   February time frame IIRC!

He had missed the group challenge in latter part of of 2024.

A big benefit of performing a challenge is become more familiar with your TOOL, its features, strengths and weaknesses or limitations.

Like the latest MacGyer challenge I took it upon myself self to learn more about Victorinox 84 and 91mm products that offer either the CORKSCREW or PHILLIPS DRIVER on the backside.
The SPORTSMAN and COMPACT became favorites, and was also introduced to the COMPANION and its 3 flavors, NewYork, Paris and Sidney🤩

[29roadie]

Thanks for the replys IMR4198 (is that a smokeless powder?) and Loopcutter.
I’ll follow the advise.

 

[IMR4198]

   I meant to say there were no tangible awards.  Just a badge, which is an award in itself.  I suppose.  After friend Loop Cutter and I both explained challenges, I wouldn't be surprised if you ended up knowing less than before.  Best smokeless wishes.  G
 

[SteveC]

I will add to the good information above. The reason for slightly different wording in the descriptions to the challenges is that they were written by different moderators over many years. The intent is the same on most.

[Farmer X]

I'll add a little information, too.

Generally speaking, challenges will be announced well in advance, though they do sometimes pop up spontaneously. For the most part, they run from the 1st to the 30th of a given month. Participants post their photos in the official challenge thread (I can see why the wording on the awards pages can be confusing). You can't really revive a stale challenge; rather, you just start the same challenge at a later point. Pre-registration is pretty common, and joining in late and making up a few posts will happen more often than not. The mods request that you label each post "Day 1," "Day 2," and so on for ease of keeping track of who completes the challenge.

There are a few exceptions to the durations. A few years ago, there was a Soldier On! challenge than ran for 90 days. (It was great fun.) And I believe the Mini Tool challenge runs for the month of February...a mini challenge for a Mini Tool. SteveC or another mod would have to confirm that.

I can only hope that I've cleared things up some rather than further muddying the waters.

[29roadie]

Yes, thank you for sharing the information everyone.
Things are a lot more clear to me now.

I have found going through the past challenge threads is quite interesting.
That’s what sent me down the rabbit hole in the first place.

Trying to get an understanding of the forum. I guess too.

I don’t see a lot of the. “ Hey check this thing out” threads. Usually they’re several pages long and on a specific topic.

The posts in the challenge threads are short and they also get a lot of different people into the mix.

I enjoy the in depth detail threads because I tend to hyper focus on things until I understand them.
I like the challenge threads and image sharing threads because it gets me thinking about new knives, scales, mods, etc.
All are very good creative inspiration for everyone I’m sure.

Cheers,

[Farmer X]

Glad I could be of help!

[Sos24]

It looks like you got a lot of good information so far.

One thing I will add is about the timing. 

If a Challenge is listed under the awards tab, you can decide to start it at any time you want.  Just start a thread and go if you want.  You can ask if anyone wants to join or just start.

Frequently, someone will post an interest thread in advance, with the hope that other people will want to join them.  They may not initially list a month in an effort to discover which month will allow the most people who are interested to participate.  This is often done because it can be more fun to have multiple people posting and interacting, instead of just one.

Sometimes, interest threads are posted because the person is proposing a new challenge, which requires multiple people to participate together to become an award.

Either way interest threads will usually be used as the actual challenge thread once the challenge starts. 

[pfrsantos]

One more little note. Sometimes, you only notice a challenge on day 2 or 3. Usually, there's no problem about joining in and just complete the challenge with a couple o'days delay.

We do these challenges for fun and to interact with each other, so things are not exactly set in stone. Except for the Sharpening Stones' Challenge. Or the Victorinox RocKnives Series' Challenge. Or the Make your Own Excalibur's Challenge.