Reward Challenge

Reward Challenges are challenges that are competed in at both the tribal and individual level. Sometimes paired with immunity challenges, winning these challenges can provide tribes, individuals, or groups of individuals with items that make life at camp easier, escapes from the game, or a prize that they can enjoy after the game is completed.

Although not compulsary, Reward Challenges have been a staple in the competitions and have sometimes been combined with Immunity Challenges.

Tribal Rewards
During the tribal phase of the game, earlier Reward Challenges offer items that will improve camp life. But as the game reaches its halfway point, meals and feasts are offered. These are the most recurring tribal rewards over the years: While most Reward Challenges are overlooked by Jeff Probst, two seasons have featured Do It Yourself Reward Challenges.
 * Flint (commonly offered as the first reward given, and is sometimes paired with the first tribal Immunity Challenge)
 * Fishing gear (commonly offered second)
 * Spices (or an "herb garden;" rarely given)
 * Pillows and blankets (occasionally including a hammock)
 * Tarps
 * A fully-stocked tool box
 * Food and feasts
 * Trips to local recreational sites
 * A clue to a Hidden Immunity Idol(in lieu of Exile Island)
 * Letters from home (very rare in this portion of the game)

Survivor: Samoa marked the first appearance of Do It Yourself Reward Challenges in the episode Hungry For A Win. These challenges were not overlooked by Jeff Probst, and castaways were instructed to use the supplies they were given and create a challenge of their own to win reward. A later D.I.Y. Reward Challenge appeared in the Survivor: One World episode Total Dysfunction. This time, however, the challenge had already been made for the tribes and not created as in Samoa. The most recent D.I.Y Challenge occured in Go Out With A Bang.

Individual Rewards
For post-merger rewards, the members of the merged tribe compete as individual units. In most cases, if the number of players cannot be divisible into equal-numbered groups, either a single player wins the challenge (with the choice of choosing a tribemate to share his/her reward with), or divide them into groups, with one person singled out. These are the most recurring individual rewards over the seasons:
 * Feasts (most common)
 * Spa/bath days
 * A visit from a loved one or letters from home
 * Movie rewards
 * A car (apparently abandoned since Fiji)
 * An advantage at the next Immunity Challenge (very rare)
 * A clue to a Hidden Immunity Idol (in lieu of Exile Island)

Survivor Auction
The Survivor Auction is a special Reward Challenge where the players will be given money and must outbid each other to obtain certain items (mostly food).

Please see the Survivor Auction article for more details.