VACATIONERS GUIDE TO THE OUTDOORS QUEST – SURVIVALIST GEAR – TEEN, ADULT AND SENIOR SIMS – PRIZES: SUSPENSION BRIDGE, LOOKOUT POST, BIRD FEEDERS AND 3LP
TIME LIMITED HOBBY – TIME: 7 DAYS – TIME LIMITED PRIZE: PICNIC BASKET
Once you complete the Vacationers Guide to the Outdoors Quest and clear the area (check out my guide to the campgrounds post for more information) the 7 day time limit will then start straight away, your teen, adult or senior sim needs to complete this hobby in the time limit to unlock the picnic basket at the campground:
Your teen, adult or senior sim needs to click on the survivalist gear at the campgrounds and select:
- Explore- 2 hours 30 minutes
TIP: only one sim can complete this hobby at a time, you can send another sim to a neighbours town to complete this hobby (if they have unlocked the campgrounds!)
After the time has passed come back and click the exclamation mark above your sims head to find one of the survivalist collectibles. Every time your sims explore their survivalist hobby skill level up percentage will increase, once you reach 100% you will level up, there are 6 levels. You need to reach level 6 to be able to unlock all of the survivalist collectibles, once unlocked you will be able to find them.
The table below shows the level up percentage:
This may change in future updates
| LEVEL | Explore |
|---|---|
| 1-2 | 50% |
| 2-3 | 37% |
| 3-4 | 25% |
| 4-5 | 12% |
| 5-6 | 6% |
For example you would need to explore 17 times to reach level 6 from level 5
The next table shows you for each level what survivalist collectibles you unlock (so you can then find those ones too) and also the level up reward that a second and future sims will receive when they level up in this hobby:
| LEVEL | TITLE | 1st TIME LEVEL UP UNLOCKS | 2nd+ TIMES LEVEL UP REWARD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City Dweller | Water Collection and Food Gathering are unlocked in the hobby collection | – |
| 2 | Weekend Camper | Medicinal Herbs and Tinder are now unlocked in the hobby collection | 250XP |
| 3 | Decent Explorer | Kindling and Fuel Wood are now unlocked in the hobby collection | 500XP |
| 4 | Off Road Hiker | Animals and Snakes are now unlocked in the hobby collection | S750 |
| 5 | Trailblazer | Insects and Compass Navigation are now unlocked in the hobby collection | 10,000 Town Value |
| 6 | Wilderness Maven | Map Navigation and Star Navigation are now unlocked in the hobby collection.
You can now complete the collection! |
1LP |
NOTE: only the first sim completing this hobby needs to get to level 6 to unlock all the collectibles, future sims will be able to find any collectible even if they are only on level 1 in this hobby
You won’t find a new collectible each time, you will get repeats, if this happens just keep going, you will find them eventually! If it is still taking too long you can use the lucky spin on the row where you cannot find the item, this will cost LPs, when you click on the LP button it will clear the row and give you a random collectible on that row so you aren’t guaranteed a new item (you will get back any other collectibles you already had in that row) Need to earn some LPs to use the lucky spin?
The completed survivalist collection is shown below, once you complete the collection you need to click ‘start a new collection’ at the top of the hobby collection screen, this clears the board so you can complete the collection again to earn more rewards (you will only get the option to restart the hobby collection when you have completed the collection):
The first time you will earn XPs when you complete a row in the hobby but to complete the collection you need to find all 12 of the collectibles
- If you complete this hobby in the time limit you will unlock the picnic basket, this can be found at the picnic area at the campgrounds, the option is have a picnic- 10 minutes and two sims can do this at one time
The rewards for completing this collection are the suspension bridge, lookout post and bird feeders and 3LP:
- The first time you complete the collection you unlock the suspension bridge, lookout post and bird feeders (even if you do not manage to complete the hobby in the time limit)
Build the suspension bridge to unlock the next area of the campground to clean up and then you can start the Storyteller Hobby!
Check out my Guide to the Campgrounds post for more information on these prizes
- From the second time onwards each time you complete the collection you will earn 3LP
Confused about hobbies? Read my Hobbies Frequently Asked Questions post
Related Hobby: Storyteller
FIND THIS POST HELPFUL?
The Girl Who Games 
So, you can only explore the survival gear over and over for the hobby?
I’m just making sure I’m not missing something.. My 7 days just started.
^(;,;)^ ♥ Thanks for all the help! ♥ ^(;,;)^
Yes that is the hobby, exploring using the gear
You’re welcome
Hi I’m a big fan of your blog thanks for being so helpful! I had a quick question about this quest what did you mean by “further times you receive 3LPs”? Thanks😄
you get 3LPs the next and further times you complete this hobby.
This one really frustrated me. I had two sims doing the hobby pretty much continuously (except when I slept) and was two badges short (and short one level, I believe) when time ran out.
I have one left with 9 hours to go. I’ve been spending my LPs. Same thing happened with the long hair event. If I get cheated again with one left to get, I’m going to delete the app.
You can have more than one sim doing this hobby?! How? I’ve been at it for weeks and still can’t get the last two badges. The picnic basket is long gone.
you send the other one to a neighbours town to complete it.
Now why have I never thought of that? I’m on it now at least …
Thanks, as ever, for your help.
I keep looking for your post on the storytelling hobby, have you not done one?
https://thegirlwhogames.wordpress.com/2015/07/19/the-sims-freeplay-hobbies-storyteller/
Hi! I don’t know if you are aware that the quest to unlock long hair will start again monday 20th of july. This time it will be more like a time limited hobby and might not be available for those who had it previously. Anyway people should prepare for it so pls spread the word.
I’m hoping it will just be the same as last time: https://thegirlwhogames.wordpress.com/2015/03/07/the-sims-freeplay-ringlets-of-fire-quest-2/
i don’t have other friends who have the campground yet is there a way I can add you so I could complete the survivalist hobby quicker
Sorry my game center is full and my facebook has been suspended so I am unable to add anymore neighbours right now
I have the campground, if you want to add me. SidtheGnome in gamecentre.
Hi sweetie, thanks for all you do for us! I have a question I haven’t seen a post yet for… just what is up with the monuments on the island? I just completed the ancient goddess monument and it says I have unlimited LPs on Sat. morning and Wed. morning between 9am and 1pm. How does this work? And why does the ship still appear? Should I try to go for more gems? I haven’t completed any other monuments, but I used a lot of LPs to get the goddess. I wish this game had more instructions! anyway, love you!!! thanks!
Sorry its been a while, I wanted to finish building the monument myself before I just replied saying I didn’t know!
The ancient goddess monument will give you free LPs on a Saturday between 8pm and 12am and a Wednesday between 9am and 1pm, I suppose in a way that is unlimited as you keep on earning them but you will only be able to collect them between the times on those days
The ship stays because once you earn the gems the pirate will trade resources for a treasure chest which says gives you items such as furniture or rare artifacts but I haven’t traded for one myself yet as I too am still working on my other monuments
Does the timer start as soon as the campground is clean? I didn’t clean one last trash because I don’t really have time right to finish a time limited quest. And is it hard to reach level 6 considering it is only a two and a half hour option? How long did it take you to finish the quest?
I believe so, yes
Not really and it didn’t take me that long, but that is because I used a lot of LPs to get it finished quickly
Guys add me as a neighbor! Itsjustjayeee
There are lots of people on the neighbours needed page to add: https://thegirlwhogames.wordpress.com/neighbour-requests/
For my weekly quest it says to test the depth at the campgrounds lookout. IDK how to do that. I went to the little lookout spot near the waterfalls and tapped around but nothing came up
have you build the lookout area yet? You need to complete this hobby to build it then you need a sim at the campgrounds to test the depth.
Thank you for your helpful blogs! Am I the only one who is slightly frustrated by the fact that we had to pay 1 million to unlock the campground, and yet every part of it (bridge, feeders etc) still costs money?! 😦
You’re welcome!
I know what you mean!
I completed it in time but I can’t use the picnic basket still, is their something else I have to do?
do you have a sim at the campgrounds to use the picnic basket?
I guess I only have 3 more days for this quest. I need a neighbor who has a campground for survivalist hobby. Add me.
Gamecenter: CielleAnn
Thanks 🙂
How do you add through the game center my game is connected through Facebook
if you don’t have an apple device you can’t add through game center
Hi, I just finished cleaning the picnic area and was distracted when it asked if I wanted to do this in 7days I said not now and went to talk to Clay , then realized that was a mistake. Is there a way to pull it back up now. My cloud said it last saved 20 hrs ago. I don’t know what to do. Thanks!
you just need to click on the compass and start the hobby
And this is the only way to get the picnic basket?
yes it is
I had just started the hobby sent a sim to a neighbours town and it said sorry you did not complete the hobby in time. Any idea why?
No idea, sorry! If it still shows the prize available on the hobby screen then you will still get it if you complete in time
I just started my survivlist hoby
I m dam scare of losing picnic basket as i dont have neighbours
I m playing through android cell phone
One of my friends playing also but i dont know why i cant add him as a neighbour
No ways to add him
Do u have an alternate ?
you can speed up the hobby by using LPs, this post may help if you don’t have any: https://thegirlwhogames.wordpress.com/2015/01/14/the-sims-freeplay-how-do-i-have-so-many-lps/
It was my first time but the quest for picnic basket didn’t appear, I only got the bridge for next step :(( I reset the game twice and still don’t have the first 7days quest to unlock the picnic basket. Do you know why??
If you completed it for the first time during the event you will need to complete it again after the event to unlock the bridge and bird feeders, hopefully you also get the chance to unlock the picnic basket, if not I think you should contact EA because that isn’t fair.
As I can’t connect to the Party boat any more I had to try to complete this with one Sim. I collected all but one badges but couldn’t get the last one till after the 7 days of course! I wasted LPs speeding up but it didn’t help.
That’s annoying!
Hi I was wondering, if you complete an action for a hobby using LP, does it get you to the next level faster? For the ringlets of fire quest, I finished off the action using 3 LPs, but I only went up a level by 1%! I am just interested for future reference. Thanks!
Yes it does
Unfortunately I didn’t complete the badges I was one short to get the picnic basket. I thought I read that even though I didn’t get the basket it would still open up the campground area? Its not open so I can’t continue to fix the bridge. Can you explain to me what I did wrong?
Yes you will, once you complete the hobby collection, even though you didn’t complete in time you still have to complete it to unlock the next part of the campgrounds
hmmm…think the Outdoor Event which is running at the same time I am completing the hobby for the first time is interfering? (I’ve actually completed it twice now and still no access.)
yes, if you completed it for the first time during the event you will need to complete it again after the event to unlock the bridge
I have a question. I started this quest when I saw the ad for the new Outdoors Hobby Event that’s coming in a few days. I haven’t done the Survivalist Hobby yet because I’m only on the quest part so far, but once the Outdoors Hobby Event starts, how am I going to get the picnic basket and the Outdoor Prize Packs when they’re running simultaneously? I hope what I wrote makes sense.
If you completed it for the first time during the event you will need to complete it again after the event to unlock the bridge and bird feeders, hopefully you also get the chance to unlock the picnic basket, if not I think you should contact EA because that isn’t fair.
Hi! I have just finished the Survivalist Hobby! It wouldn’t let me build the bridge or the bird feeders. I decided to press the ‘reset’ button. Is there any way to get the badges back? 😦
Thank You! xx
If you completed it for the first time during the event you will need to complete it again after the event to unlock the bridge and bird feeders
I’ve done the survivalist hobby and got all 12 badges but the bird feeders and suspension bridge are still locked?
If you completed it for the first time during the event you will need to complete it again after the event to unlock the bridge
I just finished the survivalist hobby (not within the time limit) and my bridge still hasn’t unlocked. Is there anything else I should do?
If you completed it for the first time during the event you will need to complete it again after the event to unlock the bridge and bird feeders, hopefully you also get the chance to unlock the picnic basket, if not I think you should contact EA because that isn’t fair.
Hi! I’ve completed the survivalist hobby and received all the badges twice now. I still can’t access the picnic basket, or build the suspension bridge. It says I have to complete the survivalist grand prize. But on the hobby screen it says I am now able to build the bridge, bird feeders, and something else. Any tips?
If you completed it for the first time during the event you will need to complete it again after the event to unlock the bridge and bird feeders, hopefully you also get the chance to unlock the picnic basket, if not I think you should contact EA because that isn’t fair.
So I completed the hobby , it only took me less than three days (woo hoo). But the picnic basket is still saying I’ve yet to finish the hobby. Also the bird feeder/bridge locks aren’t activated either.
I have less than two hours left so I don’t want to hit “reset hobby” in fear it’ll say I didn’t finish it and definitely take away the picnic basket.
If you completed it for the first time during the event you will need to complete it again after the event to unlock the bridge and bird feeders, hopefully you also get the chance to unlock the picnic basket, if not I think you should contact EA because that isn’t fair.
Hi. While I was doing the survivalist hobby and I was about to finish it so I could unlock the bird feeder etc , the outdoor event came up and my progress lost. The quest wasn’t on the task bar anymore and I lost the chance unfairly. What can I do now?
I think you should contact EA to see if they can do something about this
hey,
I noticed a glitch in connection with this hobby. the simtracker does not show when my sim finished exploring, it shows that the action is still in progress. only if I go to the campgrounds, then it finishes at once! it’s annoying, I started the hobby yesterday and lost time because of this glitch, could have completed “explore” two more times 😦 any ideas how to fix this? I have the exact same problem with the diving hobby. only these two hobbies, strangely enough. thanks for any help 🙂
Strange! Have you tried restarting your device? If that doesn’t work I’m not sure what the problem is, sorry you may need to contact EA to see if they can fix this issue for you but in the mean time you could always set a timer so you know when the task is complete
I got all of the badges and my sim shows they’ve reached 100% of the survivalist hobby but after the 7 days was up it tells my I didn’t finish in time? so now i’m having to start over. what am I missing here?
I’m not sure, sorry! You may want to contact EA to see if they can fix this problem for you.
I just updated the game and my orbs has been disappeared from the inventory so im wondering is it just me or they removed the orbs from the inventory? If they removed it how can i sell them?
I don’t know why your orbs have been removed from the inventory as mine are still there, sorry! you may need to contact EA to see if they can fixed this problem for you
I am not sure how to pass this quest. I have been trying to complete this quest for some months now and am getting nowhere! How long should it take to complete?
The time it takes really varies, some may complete it quicker than others just because they are luckier with what badges they get but I always have to use LPs to complete these in the time limits. I know its frustrating but all you can do is keep going
Just to double check…I wasn’t able to complete in 7 days, but I need to collect all 12 badges to unlock the suspension bridge and bird feeders, etc.? It seems to be taking forever- do you know how long that normally takes? Thanks!!
Yes you do
The time it takes really varies, some may complete it quicker than others just because they are luckier with what badges they get but I always have to use LPs to complete these in the time limits
I did not complete the survivalist hobby in time. So everything (the bird feeders, the bridge etc) all have grayed out locks and when I select it says “Requirements: Survivalist hobby -Grand Prize won”…which I didn’t complete…Anything else I can do?
once you complete the hobby, you don’t have to complete in time, you will unlock the bird feeders and the bridge.
How do you get the grand prize
Thanks
by completing the hobby.
I have been trying to complete this quest since last year. I still keep getting the same random things! I’m getting frustrated because it shouldn’t take this long to complete a quest!. There are a couple other quests I can’t compete but this one I have been trying to complete for the longest time.. why is it taking so long for me to complete?
Some take longer to complete than others unfortunately, you have two options you can leave it or you can use LPs to speed it up/ do the lucky spin, if you need some LPs this post may help: https://thegirlwhogames.wordpress.com/2015/01/14/the-sims-freeplay-how-do-i-have-so-many-lps/
Hi, WM, I have an odd problem: I have completed the Survivalist hobby, as well as some Survivalist-related weekly tasks. After one of them, I noted that sim walking around with the backpack still on!
Funny, but I thought that it was a glitch similar to sims walking around in their underwear/bathing suits after bed or a shower (perhaps because they “forgot” to change? 😉 )…
Eventually, these sims get back to their normal state, so I thought nothing more of it.
Well, now, a weekly task has just popped up which requires a sim to to once again don the backpack at the campground, and guess what: it’s NOT THERE! Oh, oh… I’ve scoured the campground itself, as well as looked over my various homes (admittedly not a close scrutiny, as my town and its homes are quite extensive), and haven’t found it yet, assuming my sim might have dropped it somewhere (none of my current sims is actually wearing a backpack (anymore), and I don’t remember which one it was that exhibited this odd behaviour… He may have passed on by now).
One last thing: I though perhaps I could at least get this task done in another neighbour’s town, but I haven’t yet found one with an established campground, so if anyone with a campground could contact me (MontrealPaul) through the Game Center, I’d be much appreciative! 🙂
Follow-up to my January 29, 2016 post:
On one of my many returns to the campground to see if the backpack had re-appeared (it still hasn’t), it occurred to me to try clicking on the compass, or whatever it is, on the rock stand against which I recalled the backpack had leaned… VOILA! I was able to explore! Very weird, but I’m happy I at least got past that task!
Glad you managed to fix the issue and sorry I wasn’t any help!
Hi there, I just started the survivalist hobby and wanted to know if the picnic basket is Really worth it?
I like it but I wouldn’t worry so much if you didn’t manage to complete in time, although that is just my opinion, there are pictures in this post to show you what its like
Hi, my son saved the game under his name, I need a neighbor for the survivalist hobby but am not sure how to go about it. It appears the game has my info, coachdes but won’t let me update it. Do you have any ideas about how I might fix it to add neighbors without having to restart the game? Please advise, thanks!
Why won’t it let you update it? Have you gone to the app store and found the game and clicked update (https://thegirlwhogames.wordpress.com/sims-freeplay/updating-the-game/) but it won’t let you do it? If so, what does it say?
I have been working on this for months and still can’t get the last two badges
Have you thought about using the lucky spin? This post may help you earn some LPs: https://thegirlwhogames.wordpress.com/2015/01/14/the-sims-freeplay-how-do-i-have-so-many-lps/
Hi! I’ve long been a lurker on your really helpful site! Thank you for making this!
I’m curious as to why my bridge can’t be unlocked even if I have collected the badges and completed the hobby.
Thank you!
You’re welcome!
Have you clicked on the bridge to see why you cannot build it? If it says you haven’t completed the hobby then you may unfortunately have to do the hobby again to get the game to recognise it as complete.
If I didn’t get any notification that the picnic basket time limit has started, it hasn’t right? Because I finished cleaning the campground and I panicked thinking maybe the time had started so I used LP until a sim got all the badges. She’s now a wilderness maven, I’ve unlocked 1 bird feeder and the suspension bridge, and the picnic basket STILL says “Complete the SURVIVALIST HOBBY within the time limit…”
You should have unlocked the picnic basket the first time you completed the hobby in the time limit, I would suggest you complete the hobby again and if you still haven’t unlocked the picnic basket you may need to contact EA to see if they can fix this for you.
I missed my survivalist hobby will I ever be able to open the other half of the grounds ?
You can still complete the hobby although you didn’t finish it in the time limit and you will need to to unlock the bridge.
How do my sim test the depth in the campground lookout? My sim in the campground and I cannot find or how to do it.
Complete this hobby first to unlock the lookout, it does show you in this post where to find it once you have completed the hobby.
Desperate for neighbours with the camp ground Game Center Bubblecup please help, desperate to finish this task!
Please comment on the neighbours needed post to be seen by more players who need neighbous.
I need a neighbor with the park opened please. If anyone can add me, i have to send a sim to explore in a neighbors camp grounds. Add me [[:holaamiga:]]
Please comment on the neighbours needed page to find more neighbours: https://thegirlwhogames.wordpress.com/neighbour-requests/
Hello I would love it if you could please help me. I was on the 3rd day of the 7 day quest for survivalist in order to receive the picnic basket when I received a message saying that I missed out on the picnic basket. What Can I do to fix this problem?
This is a glitch so you will need to contact EA about this issue, hopefully they will be able to sort something out for you.
I need a friend who has the campgrounds :(((
Please check out this page for a list of neighbours: https://thegirlwhogames.blog/neighbour-requests/
Hi! Do you work for EA/Firemonkeys? If not do you have a post on which we can suggest updates? Your blog helps alot! Love YOU
I’m glad it helps! No, I don’t work for EA, there is a post here for suggestions: https://thegirlwhogames.blog/2014/03/28/the-sims-freeplay-what-do-you-want-to-see-in-future-updates/
Are we able to get the tents any more?
Tents are part of the storyteller hobby which unlocks once you complete the survivalist hobby: https://thegirlwhogames.blog/2015/07/19/the-sims-freeplay-hobbies-storyteller/
Yes I got all that. Did all in time limit.. but the tents only unlocked in the campground. I didn’t get any in my inventory to use 9n my home lots. I see some of my friends have them but they are long time players.
I’m just confused as to why I wasn’t given the option. Thank you
Those are the only tents unlocked in this hobby. I have a tent in my outdoor furniture section called ‘Toyota tent’ it is green with the Toyota logo on the flag, is this the one they have? You may not have reached the level to unlock it yet.