Survival Training!

This week the kids went on a great field trip to our local Camp Wokanda to train in survival skills. Three hours in the light woodlands of the Illinois River bluffs with two wise guides provided skills in fire making, water purification, shelter building, hypothermia and overheating prevention, and a quick rescue format.

First the kids had to pick some items from a of survival tools. The most important items being a tin can, rope, plastic sheeting or garbage bags, matches, self-igniting flares, and some optional items like power bars, water, paper or toilet paper, etc.

The first lesson was in purifying water. Here the tin can was important because it could collect, hold, and most important, withstand the boiling of water over fire. The kids collected tinder and kindling from deadwood in their environment, built a fire, and boiled lake water to purify it.

Then shelter making- the plastic sheeting or garbage bags, of course came in handy. Mostly a low tent could be made with trees and deadwood, but the rope came in handy for tying down corners. One group used heavy logs to keep their corners down. Lastly, the kids learned about seeking out an open spot where they could be seen by rescue workers, building a smokey fire, or an impromptu help message from toilet paper, tarps, paper, or even waving jackets. They also learned that anything in groups of three would satisfy the international distress call for resuce workers. Three people waving jackets, three white tarps, whatever.

All the kids did wonderfully, and did 99% of their work on their own. A very cool day. The only thing we forgot was a camera to record the images of their progress!

http://www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/81427.html