by Laura Diaz
The Caravan Club and Co Durham-based leisure vehicle manufacturer, Elddis, team up to create a new challenge for the adventurous Meek family, the Xplore Challenge 2014
The Meek family gained attention last year when Tim and Kerry Meek challenged their daughters, Amy,10, and Ella, 8, to complete 100 outdoor tasks in a one-year period. After learning of the parents’ success in keeping their children active, The Caravan Club and Elddis teamed up to offer them the Xplore Challenge 2014.
Last year, the Meeks made a revolutionary decision regarding their daughters’ upbringing. Both Nottingham teachers, they noticed the common trend among children to remain stuck in front of the television instead of leading active lives. Worried about how this could affect their daughters, they challenged the youngsters to ditch the television in favour of completing 100 outdoor tasks throughout the course of a year. By October, the girls had completed all 100 challenges and reduced their television time to a maximum of three hours a week. This is undoubtedly an unheard-of statistic among this technology-loving generation of children.
On their motivation to get their daughters to complete last year’s challenge, Tim explained, “We feel strongly about getting the children outside, getting them to enjoy the outdoors and feeling comfortable with it.” Their efforts were definitely successful as their daughters have now become accustomed to outdoor adventures, and will be endeavouring in quite the challenge for almost half a year.
The family’s success sparked the interest of The Caravan Club, so they teamed up with Co Durham-based leisure vehicle manufacturer, Elddis, to set the family another challenge for this year. The Xplore Challenge 2014 consists of having the Meeks undertake 20 caravan holidays throughout 20 weeks. To be successful, the family must visit Caravan Club sites and Certified Locations (CL’s) in England, Wales and Scotland. Additionally, the family must complete a number of outdoor activities along the way during their travels. The Meeks will keep an account of their adventures on Club Together, which our readers are encouraged to follow. In addition, The Caravan Club Magazine will provide coverage on the Meeks’ journey.
The Caravan Club seeks to involve its members in the Xplore Challenge. So far, 75 of the activities have already been decided with 25 still left to be selected. To choose the remaining activities, The Caravan Club is launching a competition. Participants can submit their ideas for these activities, and the Meeks will select the 25 activities that appeal to them the most. The winners of the competition are in for a real treat. They will win either seven nights in a caravan in Devon or three nights in their own outfit on a Caravan Club site of their choice. Needless to say, the prize is quite appealing given the simplicity of the entry.
To view which activities have already been selected follow this link. All Caravan Club members are encouraged to enter this fantastic contest! Good luck, fellow caravanners!
