Enduring the Endurance Setting

Dec 27, 2006

When JD Roth realized that a large majority of kids were tuning into the reality TV show Survivor each week, he set out to create a show that would have a more positive message. Just like Survivor though, Endurance strands 20 contestants each season in a remote location - far from the comforts of home. Take a look at the past, and current, settings of this Discovery Kids show!

Endurance: Season One - Deserted Pacific Island

The very first season of Endurance found 20 kids stranded on a deserted island off the coast of California. These islands are home to many of California's seabirds, sea lions, seals and other endangered species. During this season, the contestants had to battle cold weather, rocky terrain and complete isolation. It is estimated that these islands were formed almost 100 million years ago from underwater seismic and volcanic activity!
Season One Winners: Blue Team - Jonna Mannion and Aaron Thornburg.
Grand Prize: A trip to the Amazon.

Endurance: Season Two - Baja, Mexico

The location for the second season of Endurance definitely tested the abilities of contestants to adapt to new surroundings. The dry, barren landscape of Baja, Mexico is home to rattlesnakes, scorpions, tarantulas and other poisonous critters. While filming in Baja, temperatures got as high as 128 degrees! So, not only did contestants have to deal with physical and mental exhaustion, they also needed to be constantly aware of dehydration.
Season Two Winners: Brown Team - Jenna Jimenez and Max Deleo.
Grand Prize: A trip to the Bahamas.

Endurance: Season Three - Hawaii

Season three found Endurance contestants in a very different setting. This time around, the show was filmed in the jungles of Kauai, Hawaii. Lush vegetation surrounded them and soon they found out why things in Kauai were so green! The season three contestants faced 21 straight days of rain! Kauai is home to an assortment of beautiful tropical birds, like the Hawaiian Duck, Red-footed Boobies and the Laysan Albatross. Several of these Kauai residents are on the endangered species list.
Season Three Winners: Gold Team - Lindi Oest and Chris Vanderweir.
Grand Prize: A trip to the Galapagos Islands.

Endurance: Season Four - Tehachapi

Four thousand feet above sea level, Tehachapi is one of the most unique Endurance settings yet. The site where the game will be played out was discovered more than 150 years ago by settlers traveling to California. They had no idea what lay beyond the mountains, but still they trekked through the desert and over the treacherous terrain. The land has been pretty much untouched since those original settlers came through - making it a very surreal setting for the contestants of Endurance 4!
Season Four Winners: Red Ream - Franke Sisto and Erika Cook.
Grand Prize: A trip to Costa Rica.

Endurance: Season Five - High Sierras

The latest season of Endurance takes place at Shaver Lake in the High Sierra Mountains of northern California. This location is set 5,500 feet above sea level and the area is known for its great skiing, snowmobiling and other winter sports. During the summer you can catch people water skiing, fishing and camping in the area. The famous Yosemite National Park is located in the High Sierras and the area also played a vital role in the Gold Rush of the 1800s!
Season Five Winners: You'll have to watch the show on Discovery Kids to find out!
Grand Prize: A trip to Hawaii.