During the month of May, men all over Charleston can fuel their need for competition as part of the second annual Month of Man. Whether it’s playing video games, paintball, fishing or a ninja obstacle course, men can earn their “man card” and engage in some healthy competition. 

Month of Man was started in 2015 by Ben-Jamin Toy, founder of On Purpose Adventures, a Charleston-based adventure event planning company that believes the body craves adventure and the soul needs purpose. Throughout the month, men can sign up to participate in a variety of competitions designed to foster camaraderie while raising money and awareness for local charities. 

To participate, men register at monthofman.com and then attend challenges throughout the month – food eating, a ninja course, daily workouts, fishing tournament at Charles Towne Landing and a kickoff party and video game tournament. Men earn points for participating in the events, and the man with the most points at the end of the month is deemed “The Man” and receives a prize package that includes a weekend learning to drive a race car, in-shore fishing charter, camping weekend and gift certificates. Prizes are also awarded to second, third, fourth and fifth place finishers. 

Month of Man members have access to a members-only website and receive their Month of Man T-shirt and ManCard, which also gives them access to perks and discounts throughout the summer. 

While the event is all about fostering fun, it also have a significant charitable component. Men will spend three days volunteering to build a Habitat for Humanity house and a portion of proceeds from the Month of Man will benefit the Carolina Youth Development Center (CYDC) Motorsports program, an initiative created and lead by volunteers from Cummins Turbo Technologies that teaches at-risk youth automotive and STEAM skills. 

“The Month of Man is about having fun and building camaraderie among men in our community,” Toy said. “But being a good man is about being a good steward of the community so it’s important we donate man hours to Habitat for Humanity and funds to the motorsports program. We really want the men of Charleston to step up during the month of May and truly earn that man card.” 

The cost to register is $45; $35 for military and first responders. The program is open to any man 18 years and older.