Community Challenge 4: Visit a Library

Information can be a weapon in the hands of a clever warrior.  Many cultures store their information in central locations so that others may share in the learning.  A Mando may not always have a guide or tutor available, and learning how to gather information on your own about the local people is a vital skill.

Community Challenge 4: Visit a Library

• Novice Level: Visit a nearby library with a parent.  Obtain a library card so that you can check out a book (or however the library handles the checking out of books). Find a book that interests you, check it out, and return it to the library when you are done reading it.  Send your progress about the book you picked to strill@verdikacorp.com.
• Journeyman Level: Visit a nearby library with a parent.  Obtain a library card so that you can check out a book (or however the library handles the checking out of books).  Instead of wandering around looking for a book, ask a Librarian about how the library is organized and where to find books about a topic you’re interested in.  Check the book out, and return it to the library when you are done reading the it.  Send your progress about the book you picked to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level: Visit a nearby library with a parent.  Obtain a library card so that you can check out a book (or however the library handles the checking out of books).  Instead of wandering around looking for a book, ask a Librarian about how the library is organized and how to find books in the library. Have the librarian help you pick out three books on topics in which you are interested.  Find those books using the library’s organizational system.  Pick one (or all) of the books, check them out, and return them to the library when you are done reading them.  Send your progress about the book(s) you picked to strill@verdikacorps.com.

Crafting Challenge 4: Improve your armor

A Mandalorian and the Armor are one and the same. The warrior is identified by the armor, and the armor identifies the warrior.  Mandos tinker with, repaint, and modify their armor all the time. It’s  a hobby and thing they’ll do all their life.  Mandalorian Costumers share this trait.

• Novice Level: With the help of a Parent, use your existing armor piece and modify it in some way to make it better. This may involve attaching new parts or changing the shape. If you damage the paint, be sure you fix it or make it look like weathering. Send a picture of what you modified to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Journeyman Level: With the help of a Parent, craft an entirely new replacement armor piece to replace the item you didn’t like as much as the rest. Paint and weather it to match the rest of your armor kit. Send a picture of what you made to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level: Same as the Journeyman Level challenge, except for two or more items. If the item is normally a pair (gauntlets, shoulder bells, knees, etc.) then the matching part counts as a second item. Find a way to add a greebly (some kind of attached part that looks like something from the Star Wars universe) to one or two of the parts. For example, add knee darts to a new pair of knees (like Boba or Jango Fett’s armor) or build new gauntlet tops with buttons, weapons, rockets. etc. or even add glowing lights. Paint and weather it to match the rest of your armor kit. Send a picture of what you made to strill@verdikacorps.com.

 Charity Challenge 4: Find another group/charity to help

This challenge builds on all the work you’ve done with the previous charity challenges.  Sometimes it’s easy to fall into the habit of just helping one group or one charity more than another.  However, there’s always more to be done and more people, places, animals, or ways to help.  If you haven’t had a chance to do the prior charity challenges that is not a problem.  You can jump right in here and get started!

• Novice Level: This is the same as the Novice Level Charity Challenge #3.  However, this time pick a different organization/charity and donate in a different way (so if you donated money before, donate something else this time such as food or old clothes, etc.).  Send a picture of you either in armor or your regular clothes donating in front of the donation box/station, or handing off the goods to a volunteer with the organization.  Send your picture and a progress summary about which group you assisted to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Journeyman Level: Help two new and different organizations!  Send a picture of you either in armor or your regular clothes donating in front of the donation box/station, or handing off the goods to a volunteer with the organization.  Send your picture and a progress summary about which group you assisted to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level: Help three new and different organizations!  Send a picture of you either in armor or your regular clothes donating in front of the donation box/station, or handing off the goods to a volunteer with the organization.  Send your picture and a progress summary about which group you assisted to strill@verdikacorps.com.

Community Challenge 3: Go camping

Mandalorians cannot always count on a comfortable bunk in a starship or building being available while on the hunt. Likewise, sometimes the only things available for Mandos to eat are what they brought with them (on their person, in packs, pouches, or packed away in their starship).

• Novice Level: With the help of a parent, pack food for a single evening, bedding, and either camp out in your backyard using a tent, or if weather presents a problem, a room of the house. See if you can go until morning only eating what you brought with you (for restroom breaks, of course still go back into the house). Send your progress about how you did, and what you’ll pack differently next time to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Journeyman Level: With the help of a parent, plan an overnight camp-out in the outdoors (a state or national park or someone’s property where you and your group will have permission). While the goal is to try and camp out in a tent or cabin, feel free to treat your family vehicle as the “starship.” In other words, if there’s a few items to heavy to carry into camp, use your “starship” as another resource (or even shelter if you need to!). Send your progress about how you did and where you went to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level: With the help of a parent, plan a two-night camp-out in the outdoors (a state or national park or someone’s property where you and your group will have permission). While the goal is to try and camp out in a tent or cabin, feel free to treat your family vehicle as the “starship.” In other words, if there’s a few items to heavy to carry into camp, use your “starship” as another resource (or even shelter if you need to!). Send your progress about how you did and where you went to strill@verdikacorps.com.

If where you live is especially hot this month or this month is inconvenient, you don’t have to do this challenge now – feel free to delay to a weekend that is more comfortable and/or convenient for you and your family!

Crafting Challenge 3: Improve your Weapon Collection

Few Mandalorians only use one weapon through their entire career. In fact, many Mandos love all sorts of weapons and have an ever growing collection. This is especially true to Mandalorian Costumers!

Crafting Challenge 3: Improve your Weapon Collection

• Novice Level: With the help of a parent, find a plastic weapon that you can file or sand off all the copyright/words and logos and then repaint it to match your armor. Then, create a way to wear it (holster, sling, sheath). Take a picture of your new weapon and send it to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Journeyman Level: With the help of a parent, find several plastic weapons that you can file or sand off all the copyright/words and logos (parts from 3D printed weapons are also fine). Cut them apart using tools and rearrange them to create a new type of weapon. Use additional scrap parts to fill in any holes, then paint the weapon to match your armor. Then, create a way to wear it (holster, sling, sheath). Take a picture of your new weapon and send it to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level: This is just like the Journeyman Level challenge except, add a battery, light, and switch. This can either be attached to the trigger to represent a laser beam, a glowing “blade” (but remember, not a lightsaber! We’re Mandos not Jedi), or blinking lights on a hilt/handle, or a “hunting light” attachment, or something else that you think up! Either take the electronics from existing toys, flashlights, or work with a parent or friend to solder up a circuit of your own. Take a picture of your new weapon with the light shining and send it to strill@verdikacorps.com.

Charity Challenge 3: Give of yourself to a nearby charity

The first step in making a difference in the world is to just jump in and take part in whatever small way you can. If you did the first couple of community challenges this one will help you build on all that work, but in a much more rewarding and personal way for you, your family and even your friends. If you did not complete the first two charity challenges, then you’ll need to at least find one charity to assist for this month’s challenge.

• Novice Level: With the help of a parent, donate an old toy, piece of clothing, some food (canned or prepackaged), or ask your parent if there’s a way you can earn some money so that you can donate it. Also – either in armor or your regular clothes – send a picture of you donating (either in front of the donation box/station or handing off the goods to a volunteer with the organization). Send your picture and a progress summary about which group you assisted to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Journeyman Level: This is just like the Novice Level challenge except – find at least one other friend or family member to donate alongside with you. Also – either in armor or your regular clothes – send a picture of you donating (either in front of the donation box/station or handing off the goods to a volunteer with the organization). Send your picture and a progress summary about which group you assisted to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level: This is just like the Novice Level challenge except talk with your friends and family members and find three or more who are willing to donate alongside with you. Also – either in armor or your regular clothes – send a picture of you donating (either in front of the donation box/station or handing off the goods to a volunteer with the organization). Send your picture and a progress summary about which group you assisted to strill@verdikacorps.com.

Community Challenge 2: Visit one of your nearby city parks

It’s always important to know the nearest locations that can be used as a rally point. A Mandalorian may need an area to meet up with contacts, for gatherings with fellow Mandos or even an open space to land a ship (to bring supplies or exit the planet quickly).

Community Challenge 2: Visit one of your nearby city parks.

• Novice Level: Visit a nearby park with a parent. Send your progress about which park you visited to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Journeyman Level: Visit a nearby park with a parent. Explore the park looking for large, open, somewhat flat areas. Decide if it is big enough for a small starfighter (an area about 10 yards by 10 yards) or a medium transport (Boba Fett’s ship is about 25 yards by 25 yards). Look for covered meeting areas where friends and fellow warriors can meet to enjoy time together (cooking or even playing games). Send your progress about which park you visited to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level: Visit a nearby park with a parent. Explore the park looking for large, open, somewhat flat areas. Decide if it is big enough for a small starfighter (an area about 10 yards by 10 yards) or a medium transport (Boba Fett’s ship is about 25 yards by 25 yards). Look for covered meeting areas where friends and fellow warriors can meet to enjoy time together while cooking or playing games.  If you find a park with BOTH an open area and a covered area then plan another trip to this park with friends (and possibly the family of your friends). With your Parent’s help, make plans for food & drink (one family cooks? everybody brings their own?). Play a Mandalorian game like “meshgeroya” (you can use Earthling Soccer as the rules), or some other group game (tag, frisbee golf, whatever) in the open area. Send your progress about which park you visited to strill@verdikacorps.com.

Crafting Challenge 2: Grow an edible plant.

Many hunts are short, lasting only a few days or even weeks. However, there are legends of great hunters that tracked and followed their prey to alien worlds and stalked them for months or years waiting for the right chance to strike. Sometimes these worlds were starved for resources and the Hunter has to set up a semi-permanent camp to act as a central base (or place of concealment), and grow their own food to be able to continue their hunt.

Crafting Challenge 2: Grow an edible plant.

• Novice Level: With the help of a parent, choose seeds from a plant that produces something edible. Start the seeds (get them to germinate) and then plant them in soil. Take a picture and send it to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Journeyman Level: Building on the Novice Level Challenge, start some seeds and get them to germinate, plant them, and get them to mature into a seedlings that are ready to be planted in the ground or some kind of growing pot. Once you’ve planted them in the growing pot or ground take a picture and send it to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level: Building on the Journeyman Level Challenge, with the help of a parent – cook (if needed) and eat something that came from one of the surviving seeds you first planted (this can be a fruit, grain, nuts, a tuber, or even the leaves of the plant – whatever is the edible part). This challenge will take some time, probably more than one month to complete. Take a picture of the meal created from your plant and send it to strill@verdikacorps.com.

Charity Challenge 1: Information Gathering about Nearby Charities

The Mandalorian Mercs exist not only to wear cool armor, but also as a charity organization to help our communities. One of the most basic missions when it comes to charity is finding out the good work that is already being done in your hometown or community, and then finding out if the Star Wars costuming community can help out in any way. These information gathering missions are similar to those of a Mando scout tasked with doing “recon.”  If you participated in the Seasonal Challenge in December, you’ve already been a part of this.

Charity Challenge 1: Information Gathering about Nearby Charities

• Novice Level: With the help of a parent, find out about one or two charity organizations in or near your hometown or community.  If you participated in the Seasonal Charity challenge, these could be the same organization or new ones! Find out if they are part of a national group (all over the country) or are mainly local (a community group? affiliated with a religious group?). Find out what they do and who they help. Send your progress about what you’ve learned to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Journeyman Level: With the help of a parent, find out about three or four charity organizations in or near your hometown or community. If you participated in the Seasonal Charity challenge, one of these could be the same organization! Find out if they are part of a national group (all over the country) or are mainly local (a community group? affiliated with a religious group?). Find out what they do and who they help. Find someone to talk to in these organizations. Find out if they are aware that they can get Star Wars costumed characters to show up to events (the Mandalorian Mercs, the Rebel Legion, the 501st, etc.). Send your progress about what you’ve learned to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level:  With the help of a parent, find out about four or more charity organizations in or near your hometown or community. If you participated in the Seasonal Charity challenge, one of these could be the same organization. Find out if they are part of a national group (all over the country) or are just local (a community group? affiliated with a religious group?). Find out what they do and who they help. Find out if they are aware that they can get Star Wars costumed characters to show up to events (the Mandalorian Mercs, the Rebel Legion, the 501st, etc.). Find out who in that organization is the best point of contact for additional information or to plan events. If they would like to have Star Wars costumed characters show up at their events, send what you’ve learned to your nearest Mandalorian Merc group or Star Wars costuming group. Send your progress about what you’ve learned to strill@verdikacorps.com.

Community Challenge 1: Visit a nearby museum

Mandalorians should always have firsthand knowledge about the area where they are conducting their hunts. Creatures and plants can be used as food, pack animals, riding mounts, or even trained to be hunting companions. Even extinct creatures can help provide information about that creature’s modern day descendants that may still be stalking or roaming the world where the Mando is hunting.

Community Challenge 1: Visit a nearby museum that has exhibits about plants & animals from your area (sometimes called “Science Museums” or “Science & History Museums”). 

• Novice Level: Visit a museum with a parent. Send your progress about which museum you visited to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Journeyman Level: Visit a museum with a parent and find a plant or animal that interests you. Summarize everything you’ve learned about this subject. Send your progress to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level: Visit a museum with a parent and find three plants or animals that interest you. Find and read all information available at the museum about these three you’ve chosen. Summarize everything you’ve learned about these subjects. Send your progress to strill@verdikacorps.com.

Crafting Challenge 1: Prepare a meal

On long hunts, eventually pre-packaged food runs out (or you get sick of how it tastes straight out of the package). Mandalorians must know how to prepare their own food. Warriors from the Mando home-world are famous for loving spicy & seasoned food!

• Novice Level: With the help of a parent, prepare a meal for yourself. It should consist of a main item, a side item, and a beverage. This may be a cold (from the refrigerator) or warm (oven, stove-top, or microwave) meal. Send a picture of what you made to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Journeyman Level: With the help of a parent, prepare a meal for yourself and your family. One or more of the items should be warm (either prepared using an oven, stove-top or microwave). Send a picture of what you made to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level: With the help of a parent, plan, purchase the ingredients for, and prepare a meal for yourself and your family. One or more of the items should be warm (either prepared using an oven, stove-top, or microwave). Send a picture of what you made to strill@verdikacorps.com.

Community Challenge 4: Visit a Library

Information can be a weapon in the hands of a clever warrior.  Many cultures store their information in central locations so that others may share in the learning.  A Mando may not always have a guide or tutor available, and learning how to gather information on your own about the local people is a vital skill.

Community Challenge 4: Visit a Library

• Novice Level: Visit a nearby library with a parent.  Obtain a library card so that you can check out a book (or however the library handles the checking out of books). Find a book that interests you, check it out, and return it to the library when you are done reading it.  Send your progress about the book you picked to strill@verdikacorp.com.
• Journeyman Level: Visit a nearby library with a parent.  Obtain a library card so that you can check out a book (or however the library handles the checking out of books).  Instead of wandering around looking for a book, ask a Librarian about how the library is organized and where to find books about a topic you’re interested in.  Check the book out, and return it to the library when you are done reading the it.  Send your progress about the book you picked to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level: Visit a nearby library with a parent.  Obtain a library card so that you can check out a book (or however the library handles the checking out of books).  Instead of wandering around looking for a book, ask a Librarian about how the library is organized and how to find books in the library. Have the librarian help you pick out three books on topics in which you are interested.  Find those books using the library’s organizational system.  Pick one (or all) of the books, check them out, and return them to the library when you are done reading them.  Send your progress about the book(s) you picked to strill@verdikacorps.com.

Crafting Challenge 4: Improve your Armor

A Mandalorian and the Armor are one and the same. The warrior is identified by the armor, and the armor identifies the warrior.  Mandos tinker with, repaint, and modify their armor all the time. It’s  a hobby and thing they’ll do all their life.  Mandalorian Costumers share this trait.

• Novice Level: With the help of a Parent, use your existing armor piece and modify it in some way to make it better. This may involve attaching new parts or changing the shape. If you damage the paint, be sure you fix it or make it look like weathering. Send a picture of what you modified to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Journeyman Level: With the help of a Parent, craft an entirely new replacement armor piece to replace the item you didn’t like as much as the rest. Paint and weather it to match the rest of your armor kit. Send a picture of what you made to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level: Same as the Journeyman Level challenge, except for two or more items. If the item is normally a pair (gauntlets, shoulder bells, knees, etc.) then the matching part counts as a second item. Find a way to add a greebly (some kind of attached part that looks like something from the Star Wars universe) to one or two of the parts. For example, add knee darts to a new pair of knees (like Boba or Jango Fett’s armor) or build new gauntlet tops with buttons, weapons, rockets. etc. or even add glowing lights. Paint and weather it to match the rest of your armor kit. Send a picture of what you made to strill@verdikacorps.com.

Charity Challenge 4: Find another group/charity to help

This challenge builds on all the work you’ve done with the previous charity challenges.  Sometimes it’s easy to fall into the habit of just helping one group or one charity more than another.  However, there’s always more to be done and more people, places, animals, or ways to help.  If you haven’t had a chance to do the prior charity challenges that is not a problem.  You can jump right in here and get started!

• Novice Level: This is the same as the Novice Level Charity Challenge #3.  However, this time pick a different organization/charity and donate in a different way (so if you donated money before, donate something else this time such as food or old clothes, etc.).  Send a picture of you either in armor or your regular clothes donating in front of the donation box/station, or handing off the goods to a volunteer with the organization.  Send your picture and a progress summary about which group you assisted to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Journeyman Level: Help two new and different organizations!  Send a picture of you either in armor or your regular clothes donating in front of the donation box/station, or handing off the goods to a volunteer with the organization.  Send your picture and a progress summary about which group you assisted to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level: Help three new and different organizations!  Send a picture of you either in armor or your regular clothes donating in front of the donation box/station, or handing off the goods to a volunteer with the organization.  Send your picture and a progress summary about which group you assisted to strill@verdikacorps.com.

Community Challenge 3: Go camping

Mandalorians cannot always count on a comfortable bunk in a starship or building being available while on the hunt. Likewise, sometimes the only things available for Mandos to eat are what they brought with them (on their person, in packs, pouches, or packed away in their starship).

• Novice Level: With the help of a parent, pack food for a single evening, bedding, and either camp out in your backyard using a tent, or if weather presents a problem, a room of the house. See if you can go until morning only eating what you brought with you (for restroom breaks, of course still go back into the house). Send your progress about how you did, and what you’ll pack differently next time to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Journeyman Level: With the help of a parent, plan an overnight camp-out in the outdoors (a state or national park or someone’s property where you and your group will have permission). While the goal is to try and camp out in a tent or cabin, feel free to treat your family vehicle as the “starship.” In other words, if there’s a few items to heavy to carry into camp, use your “starship” as another resource (or even shelter if you need to!). Send your progress about how you did and where you went to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level: With the help of a parent, plan a two-night camp-out in the outdoors (a state or national park or someone’s property where you and your group will have permission). While the goal is to try and camp out in a tent or cabin, feel free to treat your family vehicle as the “starship.” In other words, if there’s a few items to heavy to carry into camp, use your “starship” as another resource (or even shelter if you need to!). Send your progress about how you did and where you went to strill@verdikacorps.com.

If where you live is especially hot this month or this month is inconvenient, you don’t have to do this challenge now – feel free to delay to a weekend that is more comfortable and/or convenient for you and your family!

Crafting Challenge 3: Improve your Weapon Collection

Few Mandalorians only use one weapon through their entire career. In fact, many Mandos love all sorts of weapons and have an ever growing collection. This is especially true to Mandalorian Costumers!

Crafting Challenge 3: Improve your Weapon Collection

• Novice Level: With the help of a parent, find a plastic weapon that you can file or sand off all the copyright/words and logos and then repaint it to match your armor. Then, create a way to wear it (holster, sling, sheath). Take a picture of your new weapon and send it to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Journeyman Level: With the help of a parent, find several plastic weapons that you can file or sand off all the copyright/words and logos (parts from 3D printed weapons are also fine). Cut them apart using tools and rearrange them to create a new type of weapon. Use additional scrap parts to fill in any holes, then paint the weapon to match your armor. Then, create a way to wear it (holster, sling, sheath). Take a picture of your new weapon and send it to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level: This is just like the Journeyman Level challenge except, add a battery, light, and switch. This can either be attached to the trigger to represent a laser beam, a glowing “blade” (but remember, not a lightsaber! We’re Mandos not Jedi), or blinking lights on a hilt/handle, or a “hunting light” attachment, or something else that you think up! Either take the electronics from existing toys, flashlights, or work with a parent or friend to solder up a circuit of your own. Take a picture of your new weapon with the light shining and send it to strill@verdikacorps.com.

Charity Challenge 3: Personally give to a nearby charity

The first step in making a difference in the world is to just jump in and take part in whatever small way you can. If you did the first couple of community challenges this one will help you build on all that work, but in a much more rewarding and personal way for you, your family and even your friends. If you did not complete the first two charity challenges, then you’ll need to at least find one charity to assist for this month’s challenge.

• Novice Level: With the help of a parent, donate an old toy, piece of clothing, some food (canned or prepackaged), or ask your parent if there’s a way you can earn some money so that you can donate it. Also – either in armor or your regular clothes – send a picture of you donating (either in front of the donation box/station or handing off the goods to a volunteer with the organization). Send your picture and a progress summary about which group you assisted to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Journeyman Level: This is just like the Novice Level challenge except – find at least one other friend or family member to donate alongside with you. Also – either in armor or your regular clothes – send a picture of you donating (either in front of the donation box/station or handing off the goods to a volunteer with the organization). Send your picture and a progress summary about which group you assisted to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level: This is just like the Novice Level challenge except talk with your friends and family members and find three or more who are willing to donate alongside with you. Also – either in armor or your regular clothes – send a picture of you donating (either in front of the donation box/station or handing off the goods to a volunteer with the organization). Send your picture and a progress summary about which group you assisted to strill@verdikacorps.com.

Community Challenge 2: Visit one of your nearby city parks

It’s always important to know the nearest locations that can be used as a rally point. A Mandalorian may need an area to meet up with contacts, for gatherings with fellow Mandos or even an open space to land a ship (to bring supplies or exit the planet quickly).

Community Challenge 2: Visit one of your nearby city parks.

• Novice Level: Visit a nearby park with a parent. Send your progress about which park you visited to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Journeyman Level: Visit a nearby park with a parent. Explore the park looking for large, open, somewhat flat areas. Decide if it is big enough for a small starfighter (an area about 10 yards by 10 yards) or a medium transport (Boba Fett’s ship is about 25 yards by 25 yards). Look for covered meeting areas where friends and fellow warriors can meet to enjoy time together (cooking or even playing games). Send your progress about which park you visited to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level: Visit a nearby park with a parent. Explore the park looking for large, open, somewhat flat areas. Decide if it is big enough for a small starfighter (an area about 10 yards by 10 yards) or a medium transport (Boba Fett’s ship is about 25 yards by 25 yards). Look for covered meeting areas where friends and fellow warriors can meet to enjoy time together while cooking or playing games.  If you find a park with BOTH an open area and a covered area then plan another trip to this park with friends (and possibly the family of your friends). With your Parent’s help, make plans for food & drink (one family cooks? everybody brings their own?). Play a Mandalorian game like “meshgeroya” (you can use Earthling Soccer as the rules), or some other group game (tag, frisbee golf, whatever) in the open area. Send your progress about which park you visited to strill@verdikacorps.com.

Crafting Challenge 2: Grow an edible plant

Many hunts are short, lasting only a few days or even weeks. However, there are legends of great hunters that tracked and followed their prey to alien worlds and stalked them for months or years waiting for the right chance to strike. Sometimes these worlds were starved for resources and the Hunter has to set up a semi-permanent camp to act as a central base (or place of concealment), and grow their own food to be able to continue their hunt.

Crafting Challenge 2: Grow an edible plant.

• Novice Level: With the help of a parent, choose seeds from a plant that produces something edible. Start the seeds (get them to germinate) and then plant them in soil. Take a picture and send it to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Journeyman Level: Building on the Novice Level Challenge, start some seeds and get them to germinate, plant them, and get them to mature into a seedlings that are ready to be planted in the ground or some kind of growing pot. Once you’ve planted them in the growing pot or ground take a picture and send it to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level: Building on the Journeyman Level Challenge, with the help of a parent – cook (if needed) and eat something that came from one of the surviving seeds you first planted (this can be a fruit, grain, nuts, a tuber, or even the leaves of the plant – whatever is the edible part). This challenge will take some time, probably more than one month to complete. Take a picture of the meal created from your plant and send it to strill@verdikacorps.com.

Charity Challenge 2: Information Gathering about Nearby Charities

The Mandalorian Mercs exist not only to wear cool armor, but also as a charity organization to help our communities. One of the most basic missions when it comes to charity is finding out the good work that is already being done in your hometown or community, and then finding out if the Star Wars costuming community can help out in any way. These information gathering missions are similar to those of a Mando scout tasked with doing “recon.”  If you participated in the Seasonal Challenge in December, you’ve already been a part of this.

Charity Challenge 2: Information Gathering about Nearby Charities

• Novice Level: With the help of a parent, find out about one or two charity organizations in or near your hometown or community.  If you participated in the Seasonal Charity challenge, these could be the same organization or new ones! Find out if they are part of a national group (all over the country) or are mainly local (a community group? affiliated with a religious group?). Find out what they do and who they help. Send your progress about what you’ve learned to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Journeyman Level: With the help of a parent, find out about three or four charity organizations in or near your hometown or community. If you participated in the Seasonal Charity challenge, one of these could be the same organization! Find out if they are part of a national group (all over the country) or are mainly local (a community group? affiliated with a religious group?). Find out what they do and who they help. Find someone to talk to in these organizations. Find out if they are aware that they can get Star Wars costumed characters to show up to events (the Mandalorian Mercs, the Rebel Legion, the 501st, etc.). Send your progress about what you’ve learned to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level:  With the help of a parent, find out about four or more charity organizations in or near your hometown or community. If you participated in the Seasonal Charity challenge, one of these could be the same organization. Find out if they are part of a national group (all over the country) or are just local (a community group? affiliated with a religious group?). Find out what they do and who they help. Find out if they are aware that they can get Star Wars costumed characters to show up to events (the Mandalorian Mercs, the Rebel Legion, the 501st, etc.). Find out who in that organization is the best point of contact for additional information or to plan events. If they would like to have Star Wars costumed characters show up at their events, send what you’ve learned to your nearest Mandalorian Merc group or Star Wars costuming group. Send your progress about what you’ve learned to strill@verdikacorps.com.

Community Challenge 1: Visit a nearby museum

Mandalorians should always have firsthand knowledge about the area where they are conducting their hunts. Creatures and plants can be used as food, pack animals, riding mounts, or even trained to be hunting companions. Even extinct creatures can help provide information about that creature’s modern day descendants that may still be stalking or roaming the world where the Mando is hunting.

Community Challenge 1: Visit a nearby museum that has exhibits about plants & animals from your area (sometimes called “Science Museums” or “Science & History Museums”). 

• Novice Level: Visit a museum with a parent. Send your progress about which museum you visited to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Journeyman Level: Visit a museum with a parent and find a plant or animal that interests you. Summarize everything you’ve learned about this subject. Send your progress to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level: Visit a museum with a parent and find three plants or animals that interest you. Find and read all information available at the museum about these three you’ve chosen. Summarize everything you’ve learned about these subjects. Send your progress to strill@verdikacorps.com.

Crafting Challenge 1: Prepare a meal

On long hunts, eventually pre-packaged food runs out (or you get sick of how it tastes straight out of the package). Mandalorians must know how to prepare their own food. Warriors from the Mando home-world are famous for loving spicy & seasoned food!

• Novice Level: With the help of a parent, prepare a meal for yourself. It should consist of a main item, a side item, and a beverage. This may be a cold (from the refrigerator) or warm (oven, stove-top, or microwave) meal. Send a picture of what you made to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Journeyman Level: With the help of a parent, prepare a meal for yourself and your family. One or more of the items should be warm (either prepared using an oven, stove-top or microwave). Send a picture of what you made to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level: With the help of a parent, plan, purchase the ingredients for, and prepare a meal for yourself and your family. One or more of the items should be warm (either prepared using an oven, stove-top, or microwave). Send a picture of what you made to strill@verdikacorps.com.

Charity Challenge 1: Assist with a seasonal charity

Seasonal Charities pop up only at certain times during the calendar year. This is especially true around holidays dedicated to helping former soldiers or especially during the winter months. Since these charities only exist (or do their work) in a short time period, they usually need an extra pair of helping hands.

Charity Challenge 1: Assist with a seasonal charity

• Novice Level: With the help of a parent, find a seasonal charity or some other short-term charity and find a way to help in whatever way (this may be with a donation of money, food, or items) or volunteering to help do something (soup kitchen, clean up a monument, etc.). Send a progress summary about which group you assisted to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Journeyman Level: This is like the Novice Level Challenge except find one other friend and family member to volunteer or donate along with you. Send a progress summary about which group you assisted to strill@verdikacorps.com.
• Expert Level: This is like the Novice Level Challenge except find three or more friends and family members to volunteer or donate along with you. Send a progress summary about which group you assisted to strill@verdikacorps.com.