City slicker outdoor skills???

Tyrkon Lawson

Tyrkon Lawson

Joined
Oct 31, 2003
Messages
8,583
Living in Los Angeles, CA I don't get to run off into the wild too often so I am trying to find ways to practice outdoor type skills where I am. I have what is considered a big backyard in Los Angeles so I have room. So far I went out and bought one of those metal fire places, put it in my back yard, and am practicing different "fire starting & cooking" skills. My kids love this because we have been tent camping during the summers since they were born. It's a nice reality break from our concrete jungle over here.

Any suggestions on the types of things that could practiced in your back yard? Thanks.
 
have you seen this book?
It may have some more ideas for you.
Backyard Roughing It Easy: Unique Recipes for Outdoor Cooking, Plus Great Ideas for Creative Family Fun-All Just Steps from Your Back Door (Paperback)
by Dian Thomas

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/096212575X/103-6824248-0455050?v=glance&n=283155&s=books&v=glance

Roughing it Easy (Same Author) is similar.

I have the last one. I use it with the kids to practice simple outdoors skills (firelighting, cooking at an open fire, etc.) It even has a short section on emergency preps.

Pat
 
Go to a used book store (or Fleabay) and buy one or more OLD Boy Scout manuals. Even a few of the smaller merit badge books. Lots of fun learning projects in those. And a lot of practical outdoors knowledge (some stuff will be "dated", like snakebite treatment).

Codger
 
Tyrkon Lawson said:
Living in Los Angeles, CA I don't get to run off into the wild too often so I am trying to find ways to practice outdoor type skills where I am. I have what is considered a big backyard in Los Angeles so I have room. So far I went out and bought one of those metal fire places, put it in my back yard, and am practicing different "fire starting & cooking" skills. My kids love this because we have been tent camping during the summers since they were born. It's a nice reality break from our concrete jungle over here.

Any suggestions on the types of things that could practiced in your back yard? Thanks.
Click to expand...


Flint knapping
bow and arrow making(not shooting in LA)
all manner of primitive trap making and setting(remove before the cats get into them)
making cordage
collecting water(using the pit and poly method)
make shelters out of sheets or blankets
making fishing tackle
study weather patterns for weather forcasting(oh ya, you're in LA)
 
To the above, you might add:

>building a shelter out of cardboard boxes - not because there are boxes in the bush but just to teach using available resources. (And they'll love it.)

>signaling with a mirror.

>signaling with smoke (Careful. Small scale. The air pollution cops might get ya' even if the neighbors don't.)

>first aid.

>water purification techniques. (bandanna and sand filters to reduce yuckies followed by boiling/ commercial filter/ chemicals) (solar stills - ground and tree branch)

>butcher a chicken. They should know how to do that anyhow. It will prepare them to cut up other critters if needs be.

>build a shelter out of branches/sticks and "waterproof" with heavy-duty trash bags (will require gathering material)

Around the neighborhood:

How to use a map and compass.
Making a sketch map of the area.
Going in a straight line without a compass (maybe on the school yard).
How to keep from getting lost (observation/landmarks/establishing baselines)
Finding N/S/E/W without a compass (stars/sun/moon)

Most of this is covered in Boy Scout literature written for kids. (Come to think of it, there are good Scout Troops around.)

Tell us how this all works out. A few more educated kids would mean fewer sweaty trips up and down hills for SAR folk.
 
Thanks for all the input. I have the SAS survival guide and love it but will check out the others as well.

As far as shooting, I practice point shooting in my back yard w/ an air gun that is close to my Glock 21. I guess I could shoot the real thing and no one would know the difference. :p

I teach middle(currently) and high school physical science and have my students make compasses every year. They love it. I want to try water collection methods next. Homework:D .

I'll be especially looking at survival skills that would come into play in the city. I love all the above suggestions. Lots to learn. Thanks.
 
Hi Trykon,

If you live in LA and can get over to La Canada/Pasadena on occasion check out Christopher Nygeris
http://www.christophernyerges.com/
He leads an almost weekly wild foods outing, and at least once a month has a more intensive survival class. I beleive he also does a semester class at Pasadena City College. Prices are very resonable, I went once this summer with my wife and kids and had a great time. I live in San Diego, and it is hard for me to get up there on a regular basis. A few hoodlums hang out with him also on the class so there is a pretty good knowledge base. In my walks around San Diego I have identifeid alot of the plants that Chrsitopher pointed out, I can not recomend him highly enough.

Good luck

Mike
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top