Logistics
Get ready for a multi-day decathlon challenge like no other—an all-terrain, all-skill test of mind, muscle, and mettle. Set in the wilderness of Western Maryland, you’ll compete across 90 acres of untamed land, where every hill, stream, and clearing could hold your next challenge. Each day, you’ll face 3 to 5 surprise events that push your grit, brains, skills, and brawn to the limit. You won’t know what’s coming until you’re in the thick of it, and no two MAD Decathlons are ever the same.
But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Every MAD Decathlon includes a well-equipped camp setup, hearty food, and the right fuel to keep you going. After a full day of pushing limits, you’ll kick back around the fire with good BBQ in hand, swapping stories and nursing your wounds, before gearing up to do it all over again. Tomorrow’s challenges? Unknown. But one thing’s for sure—you won’t forget them.
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Lodging: It’s basically car camping in Grantsville, Maryland…. Except you don’t have to bring any of the camping stuff. Unless you’d like to bring your own gear, we’ve got you covered with each participant using a 3-man tent, sleeping bag, pad, -- all the essentials. You’ll also get a swag bag to take home. Don’t like camping?.... You’ve got two options. 1) There are hotel spots just 8 minutes down the road…. Or….. (and here’s the kicker) each day’s winner gets to crash indoors in the cabin.
Amenities: Even though you’re roughing it, we’re not savages. Showers, toilets, Wi-Fi, electricity, and purified well water are all part of the deal. Plus, once you’re here, it’s an all-you-can-eat-and-drink affair.
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With MAD Decathlons, your meals are covered. From morning to night, breakfast, lunch, dinner (and dessert) will be provided. This includes food, drinks, snacks, and a little something to take the edge off at the end of the day. These are hearty, satisfying meals, capped off each night with solid barbecue, hilarious recaps of the day, and a warm bonfire surrounded by your fellow participants. We recognize the importance of good food, so we don’t skimp on meals—because there’s nothing better than a delicious feast after a crazy day.
We can accommodate nearly all dietary restrictions and preferences. The only thing we ask is that each participant takes part in a “meal prep/cleanup” crew for one day during the MAD Decathlon.
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At MAD Decathlon, your safety is our top priority—even as we push you to the edge of your comfort zone. Every challenge is designed with clear oversight, tested equipment, and clear safety protocols to ensure you can go all-in without unnecessary risks. Our team is trained in first aid, and we maintain emergency plans for any scenario. You’ll be tested, stretched, and maybe even humbled—but always in a controlled, well-planned environment. So bring your grit, trust the process, and get ready to push limits—safely.
MAD Decathlons: 2 hr 45 mins from DC, 2 hrs from Pittsburg
The Venue
MAD Decathlons unfold on 90 acres of pristine wilderness in Grantsville, Maryland. (2 hr 45 mins from DC, 2 hrs from Pittsburg) Our stunning venue features rivers, ponds, dense pine forests, open pastures, and even a few swamps, creating the perfect backdrop for our adrenaline-fueled challenges. While you’ll venture deep into nature to test your limits, comfort awaits at our main house, equipped with hot showers, electricity, internet, and all the essentials. Whether you’re wading through the wild or regrouping around a roaring campfire with a cold drink, MAD Decathlons combine rugged outdoor exploration with the support you need to go beyond yourself and discover what you’re truly capable of.
Skills and Abilities
Most of the details around each event will be kept from you until the last moment. It’s designed that way. While we can’t (or won’t) give you specifics on the events, we will tell you the qualities that make for a successful MAD Decathlon.
Skills That Help
🏋️ Lift your own weight
⛏️ Dig
🩸 Produce 5 drops of your own blood
🧩 Do sudokus
🍸 Fix a drink
🕳️ Catch something that’s falling from the sky
🔥 Start a fire without much
💪 Do a day’s worth of burpees
🛠️ Engineer stuff while enduring pain
🧮 Remember random, non-sequential number chains
🌊 Gauge volumes of water
🪂 Find comfort in dropping from heights
🍀 Luckily pick the right thing and not the wrong thing
Qualities You’ll Need To Succeed
👁️🗨️ Hand-eye coordination
💪 Grit
🦁 Courage
👃 Olfactory ability
🗣️ Communication
🤕 Pain tolerance
⏱️ Clutch under pressure
🧠 Reasoning
🤝 Teamwork
🎨 Creativity
🎭 Theatrics
😨 Fear suppression
🍀 Good old-fashioned luck
It Really Wouldn’t Hurt To Be Able To:
🤹 Juggle with one hand
⚽ Play fútbol
🗞️ Make anything out of origami
✍️ Write in cursive
♟️ Play chess
🌊 Skip stones across water
💦 Consume 32 oz of water in less than 30 seconds
🛴 Ride a motorized unicycle
🤠 Lasso anything
🪢 Tie a trucker’s hitch
🍻 Concentrate while drunk
🪂 Find comfort in dropping from heights
💻 Code