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Wilderness Survival Training isn’t only for adults. Early wilderness survival training lays the groundwork for a lifetime’s worth of exploration and learning. This valuable skill set provides individuals with the knowledge, skills and abilities they need to thrive in challenging situations. Who is it for? Why should it start early? Even with children?
Why it is important to teach wilderness survival to children
The survival training is important for many people. This includes Outdoor Enthusiasts (including Urban Dwellers), Emergency Responders (including Military Personnel), Preppers and homesteaders, and Urban Dwellers. Why start early with children?
There are many compelling reasons to teach children survival skills.
Building Resilience – Early exposure to survival techniques fosters resilience. Children learn to solve problems, be adaptable, and have self-reliance. These skills will serve them throughout their lives.
Safety Awareness: Educating children about hazards, emergency procedures and basic survival skills will help them to respond effectively in unexpected situations.
Skills learned in childhood are likely to be retained throughout life. By teaching kids survival skills early, we give them tools they can carry into adulthood.
Confidence and Empowerment – Knowing how to build fires, find edible plants or create shelters boosts confidence. When kids can contribute to their own well-being, they feel empowered.
Nature Connection: The survival training promotes an appreciation of the outdoors. Children learn about ecosystems and wildlife.
Early exposure to wilderness survival skills promotes a deeper appreciation and understanding of nature. Early exposure to outdoor activities and the natural environment can spark a passion for lifelong outdoor activities.
In addition, these skills help children form a strong bond with nature. It also fosters a deeper respect for the environment, and a responsibility to preserve it.
Moreover, teaching children wilderness survival skills allows for time to bond with family and friends. This helps to build strong relationships and create memories.
Start with “Hug-a-Tree
Start by teaching Hug-a Tree. People are quick to notice when a child is missing. They must know that staying put will be their best option if they become lost.
Hug-a-Tree and Survive was created in honor of Jimmy Beveridge. He was a nine-year-old child who went missing from southern California in 1981. Tragically, the body of Jimmy Beveridge was found approximately 3 miles away from where he had been last seen. Search teams claimed that they could have found him sooner if the man had stayed put and waited.
The program’s main takeaway is not only about learning survival techniques. It’s all about adopting the Hug-a-Tree-and-Survive approach.
Here are some survival tips for kids. These tips can be educational and entertaining, with an emphasis on Shelter, Knife and Fire skills.
Easy Shelter Building
Teach children to build basic shelters with cordage and other natural materials. The best way to learn is by doing. Start by explaining the criteria for choosing a campsite that is safe and comfortable.
Depending on the materials and area, you may not need to use any cutting tools at all. A sturdy, long ridgepole should be nailed to a tree in an angled position. Leaning sticks against the ridgepole will minimize gaps.
After the framework has been explained and set up, it is time to collect debris. Add pine straw and other debris to the wood structure. It will soon resemble a mound of insulation. Kick in additional insulation to get a good amount.
A classic lean-to is another easy shelter that is built at shoulder level. Start by selecting and securing a sturdy ridgepole, then layering it with poles that are thick enough to reach your wrists. A small folding tool can make this process easier, but improvising works too.
Place smaller sticks at different angles after laying the thick poles. Pine straw will be used to support this thatching. Fill a garbage bag up with debris and place it on top to act as insulation. Once the bag has been filled, you can tie it to make a mattress.
The lean-to is designed to be used with an open fire. Remove all debris and mark the location of fire with a step.
Pro Tip: Poles are easily cut by placing them in between the crotch and trunk of a tree, or when two trees are placed close together. Once the poles are inserted, apply some pressure to crack them.
Knife Skills
Knife skills are closely linked to safety. It’s better to teach knife techniques with a specific project or goal in view, such as processing wood for a fire. Safety is paramount when teaching knife skills. This includes passing techniques, cutting techniques, and awareness of nearby people or animals.
Knife skills go hand in glove with fire preparation. Making and using a maul/baton is a good skill to teach.
Basic Firemaking
Teaching children about responsible firewood collection and safe fire building/extinguishing is vital for their outdoor skills. It’s better to focus on fire safety basics rather than fire building when working with younger kids. This activity involves teaching knife-skills, which should then be discussed, demonstrated and practiced.
The one-stick method can be an excellent way to introduce the concept of fire building. After the students have prepared the wood, they can experiment with different types of tinder such as a cottonball with Vaseline or jute twine.
Confidence can be built by starting with the easiest materials and working your way up to more difficult ones. It is important to stress that if you can light a material with a Ferro Rod, then it will be easy to light with a lighter. Everyone can learn these skills with practice.
Find and Collect Water
Rain is a great way to teach children how to collect rainwater. Show them how to collect water using everyday items such as plastic bags and baggies.
Water Purification
Demonstrate simple methods of purification, such as boiling water or using purification tablets.
Build Your Own Survival Kit
Assemble a basic survival pack for your children, including a compass and fire-starting tools. Also include an emergency blanket, water filter, flashlight, and an emergency blanket.
Basic First Aid
First Aid Race: Teach kids how to treat common injuries. They will also learn the importance of first-aid in survival situations.
Remember to make sure that these activities are age-appropriate and engaging. Make learning fun and always supervise children, especially when they are learning new skills.
Teaching Kids Wilderness Survivance Lays a Lifelong Basis
Summary: Survival training is beneficial to many groups. Starting early with children lays the foundation for a lifelong sense of preparedness and resourcefulness. Find schools and programs offering training for parents and children. Have fun!
For more information, please visit CoalCrackerBushcraft.com and RandallsAdventure.com.
SIDEBAR: Don’t Forget A Whistle
It is important to carry a whistle when you are in the woods. In an emergency, the whistle can save your life. Blow it three times. Three is the universal distress signal. It can be heard from a long distance and helps rescuers find you faster than if you yelled.
Whistles are also essential for signaling in the wild. Whistles can be used to communicate distress or to call for assistance without using as much energy as shouting. Whistles can also be used in low-visibility conditions, such as dense forest or fog.
Overall, having a whistle with you can make a big difference in terms of staying safe and being located in an emergency.
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Keep readingThe post Teaching kids early: Get the young ones trained in wilderness survival appeared first on Athlon Outdoors.
