Team Contests appearing in previous issues of Vermont TOPS Tidbits

Marble Contest-  For this contest, divide the members into teams of 3 or 4.   Decide how many weeks you want the contest to run.  Marbles are awarded to the team as follows: For TOPS teams- one marble for each member of the team staying for the meeting; one marble for each 1/4 pound lost by a member; one marble for a member who stays the same; 2 marbles if the team has a net loss; three marbles if all team members lose. For KOPS teams- one marble for each member who stays for the meeting; two marbles for each member who is below goal; if a KOPS member is above goal, they earn one marble for each 1/4 pound loss; three marbles if all KOPS team members are below goal. At the end of the contest, the team having the most marbles wins a prize.  If you don't have enough KOPS to have their own team, you could adjust the rules for a TOPS/KOPS combo team.

Build a Snowman-  Someone will need to keep a running tally of each team's losses and gains.  The snowmen can either be made using styrofoam balls, or drawn on a poster board.  To earn the bottom snowball (the largest), the team must lose 4 pounds.  To get the middle one, the team must lose another 3 pounds.  For the top snowball, the team must lose 2 pounds.  The team has to lose 1 pound each for the hat, nose, mouth, a pair of eyes, and each arm.  The first team to complete their snowman is the winner.  The winning team will have lost 15 pounds.  Depending on the number of KOPS in the chapter, there could be a KOPS team, or you could include them on a TOPS team, giving them credit for a 1/2 pound loss if in leeway (but above goal), a one pound loss if at or below goal, and a 1/2 pound gain if out of leeway.

Let's Go Fishin'- Divide the chapter into groups by their weight so that they are competing against others in the same weight range.  If your chapter has KOPS, they could have their own boat (or boats).  Each group has a fishing boat, with a fishing pole hanging over the side for each member of the group.  Put one member's name on each pole.  Each KOPS who weighs in at or below goal gets a fish to hook on his or her line.  A TOPS who has a loss (no matter how much) gets a fish to hook on his or her line.  Run the contest for 6 weeks, and award prizes to the person in each boat with the most fish., and to the boat crew who has the most fish in their boat.

Caribbean Cruise- Decide how long the cruise will last and divide the chapter members into teams.  Each team should have a Captain and several passengers, so the number of teams will depend on the size of the chapter.  Each team has its own ship and will earn travel miles.  The team that travels the furthest is declared the winner and each team member should receive a small prize.  You may also wish to award a prize to the member of each team who earns the most travel miles for the team.  Miles are earned by each team member and combined for the team’s total.  Miles are earned as follows: Drink 64 oz of water each day = 20 miles Exercise at least 15 minutes per day four days a week = 20 miles Contact another member = 10 miles Stay for the meeting = 10 miles Sign up to do a program or contest = 20 miles TOPS weighing in with a loss or KOPS in leeway = 20 miles In the case of an unexcused absence no miles may be counted.  In the case of an excused absence, the miles earned may be counted the following week, but can not be carried over for more than one week.

Bean Contest- Divide the chapter into two teams.  Each team should be given a jar and some beans.  Give each team a different color bean, but the beans should be the same size.  Each week, after weigh-in, TOPS members with a loss will put one bean for each 1/4 pound loss in their team's jar.  For each 1/4 pound gain, they must put one of their beans in the opposing team's jar.  For a turtle, they will do nothing.  KOPS put one bean for each pound (or part of a pound) below goal into their team's jar.  For a KOPS at goal, put one bean in the jar.  A KOPS above goal, but in leeway, does nothing.  A KOPS out of leeway must put one of their beans for each pound (or part of a pound) out of leeway in the opposing team's jar.  The first team to get their jar filled is the winning team, and will receive a small prize.  The losing team has to present a skit to the chapter at a future meeting.

Buddy-up and Slim Down- For this contest, each member is paired up with a buddy.  Each week for the next six weeks, both you and your buddy earn points for various accomplishments.  At the end of the contest, the team with the most points will win a prize.  Here is the list of points that can be earned each week: Keep a food diary for the week- 1 point each (max 2) Exercise at least 30 minutes per day- 1 point each for each day of exercise (max 14) Contact your buddy (phone/e-mail)- 1 point each (max 2) Loss or turtle at weigh-in- 1 point each  (max 2) 1 Bonus point if both lose Lose 1 point for a gain Stay for the meeting- 1 point each (max 2) The maximum number of possible points each week is 23.  If your team earns 20 points or more in any week, you will get 5 bonus points.

Coin Contest- Divide the members into two teams and give each team a name.  Make sure that each team has the same number of KOPS members, if possible.  You will need two jars of the same size- one for each team.  Each week, after weighing in, the members will add a nickel to one of the jars. For TOPS members- If the member has a loss, they add a nickel to their team's jar.  If they gain, they must add a nickel to the opposing team's jar.  If a member turtles, nothing is done. For KOPS members- A KOPS who weighs in at or below goal (must be in leeway) puts a nickel in their team's jar.  If the KOPS is above goal, or out of leeway, he or she must put a nickel in the jar of the opposing team. Any member who has an UNEXCUSED absence must put a nickel in the other team's jar.  The first team to fill their jar is the winning team.  All members of the team receive a prize as determined by the chapter.  The money in the jars could either be split among the team members or given to the chapter treasury to help cover the cost of prizes.

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