Bushcraft
Let’s talk about our Outdoor Skills program at Falling Creek.
Outdoor skills is not just a hobby, it can be described as an essential life skill that can truly connect us with nature as well as prepare us for emergencies.
Whether you simply just love the outdoors, or you want to be the ultimate camp master, we prepare the boys with knowledge that will equip them in nature.
The Theory
First, we have to cover the theory.
This has a lot to do with safety and how to handle certain outdoor situations. In theory, we teach the boys basic first aid to ensure that they are aware of what to do in certain situations.
We also ensure that they are knowledgeable on the Search and Rescue protocols, what to do and how to potentially get themselves out of a sticky situation. This includes making smoke signals, and learning certain whistles.
Informing the boys on what plants are edible, versus what they shouldn’t eat is also super crucial to survival in the wild. We let the boys pick berries and teach them which leaves are okay for eating, including what plant for making root beer.
Covering theory is great, but now it is time to put that into practice.
Building for Survival
Shelters : We are currently building shelters with the boys that we intend on staying a night in. How does one build a shelter?
We have taught the boys a few different methods or techniques for building a shelter. These include a Dome Shelter as well as a Lean To Shelter. The boys are currently building a Lean To Cabin that is slightly elevated and has a floor. They learn how to source material for the shelter, as well as knots to use for securing the structure.
We started off by creating an animal trail to the “campsite” that we have chosen to create. The animal trail is part of our Leave No Trace. We then teach the boys how to cut down logs and prepare the wood for building the shelters, which is the best to use and which not to use. Using moss on the roofs of the shelters is a good way to ensure that they are waterproof and will better protect you from the rain. We test that the boys have created waterproof shelters by pouring water over the shelter while they are sitting in them.
Fishing Pole : We have taught the boys how to make their own survival fishing rods using wood and ropes. This is done using a technique called recurved whittling in order to ensure that the rods are strong and won’t break easily.
Fires : Learning how to build a fire in nature is a valuable skill. We teach a few different methods and structures for building fires. One of the favorites is learning how to build a fire with a flint and steel.
Statement
Oliver C. is 15, in cabin 39 and from Chicago. Oliver has been here for 8 summers and this is the first year he has taken Outdoor Skills seriously. He says his favorite thing is the fact that he now has the ability to make a fire which is super useful as you can cook food, boil water and keep yourself warm on cold nights. Oliver says he believes the entire class is valuable because they get to learn a lot about being outdoors. “We learn how to build shelters, where to build them and what to look for when we are building a shelter to sustain ourselves.” Oliver says he is grateful for the opportunity to learn outdoor skills, especially being from Chicago, it is a wonderful change of scenery. He is excited about being able to build up a campsite from nothing and is definitely going to start his Outdoor Skills progressions soon. Oliver explained how he is excited to be able to pass on his knowledge, especially to younger boys and the next generation.
