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NEW ULM - The popular TV reality show "Survivor" is taking its crew of castaways to Gabon this year. But folks in New Ulm don't have to go that far to see some Survivor-style action.

This year the United Way of the Brown County Area will kick off its annual campaign drive on Sept. 12 with a "Quest for Survivor" event, a competition between teams from six local companies who will battle for bragging rights and for the benefit of the United Way.

Instead of Gabon, the Survivors will be heading for the wilds of Turner Hall Park, where a series of tough physical and mental challenges will await them, starting at 6 p.m.

Participating businesses include 3M, Kraft, Minnesota Valley Testing Labs, New Ulm Medical Center, NU Telecom and Windings.

The event will be fenced in, and $5 tickets will be sold at the six participating companies, at the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce, or at Turner Hall.

The 6-team challenge is an offshoot of events that MVTL employees have been holding the last couple of years to raise money for the United Way. In 2004 they held a treasure hunt, scouring New Ulm for clues. In 2005 they combined "Amazing Race" and "Survivor" into a competition that included such events as the pig capture, bare-handed chub fishing, a trivia contest and an obstacle course.

This year, the MVTL committee decided to take it to a city-wide level, said MVTL event chair Nina Lovell. They challenged other companies to compete for the honor of claiming "Mojo Barry," a little Tiki statue that will confer honor on the winners.

The committee is building the obstacle course and other challenges in Turner Park with materials donated by Design Home Center. Turner Hall has donated the use of the park and concession stand.