survival tests

[stonecold5150]

my friends and i are planning a survival 4day weekend for my boys....keeping in mind they are smart and ages 15,13,11,and 10... some of the trials we have come up with are...1) Set up camp (to include shelter, fire pit with wood, find suitable water source, gear check and security, ect...)
2) daily map/compass trials
3) finding good source of food
4) water purification
5) overall tidiness
6) observe the surroundings and find your bearing
7) directional finding/ with possible lost in the woods situation both day and night
8) signaling when your lost
9) bad weather preparation
10) mountain climbing and long hikes
11) leave no trace
any other trials would be much appreciated.

 

[machine26]

Id do a little first aid class.

 

[PayetteRucker]

do a race to build a fire.... run a piece of line a couple feet off the ground, see who can burn through it the fastest

 

[PayetteRucker]

orienteering races are fun too, and you could carve spoons for whittling practice...

 

[Mistwalker]

Could combine a few things...do a purified water race

 

[FwdHO]

Sounds like you have a great event put together with a lot of valuable lessons inserted. It might be fun to include some knot tying specific to setting up camp, etc.

 

[fishiker]

PSK type fishing would be fun if there is water nearby.

 

[BOOMSTICK]

you can throw in a little animal tracking. track classification.
http://www.ussartf.org/animal_tracking.htm

 

[dberry]

All are great suggestions. I cant wait till my boys get old enough to do something like that. Have fun. It is amazing what kids will retain if you make learning fun.

 

[efahl]

do a race to build a fire.... run a piece of line a couple feet off the ground, see who can burn through it the fastest

My variation on this is, "whoever brings me a hot cup of coffee first gets this new-in-box SAK!" You've never seen kids work so hard.

 

[PayetteRucker]

My variation on this is, "whoever brings me a hot cup of coffee first gets this new-in-box SAK!" You've never seen kids work so hard.

Haha! that's awesome.

 

[ROCK6]

do a race to build a fire.... run a piece of line a couple feet off the ground, see who can burn through it the fastest

That's a good one I'm using next time with my kids. My son is now a little more experienced than his older sister, so it'll be a good match up:thumbup:

I would give them each some simple items; trash bag and/or space blanket, whistle, marking tape, water purification tablets (used near a water source), fire making (if their ready) and have them go through a "lost" scenario. Give them some instruction and have them practice what they should do if lost.

A good method of learning is letting them critique each other; make sure you have checklists!

Good luck and let us know how it turns out:thumbup:

ROCK6

 

[Barbarossa]

+1 on the first aid from a ten year plus medical field professional. In the woods concentrate on the type of injuries you may encounter such as bleeding control (get some QuikClot dressings for everyone to have but practice with cheap dressings), improvised splints splints for broken bones , and an improvised litter for evacuation of a down comrade would be a great place to start. Get first aid & CPR training if not already done.

 

[ROCK6]

+1 on the first aid from a ten year plus medical field professional. In the woods concentrate on the type of injuries you may encounter such as bleeding control (get some QuikClot dressings for everyone to have but practice with cheap dressings), improvised splints splints for broken bones , and an improvised litter for evacuation of a down comrade would be a great place to start. Get first aid & CPR training if not already done.

Good point; I would add identification of heat and cold weather injuries and symptoms of heat stroke and frostbite...

ROCK6

 

[fugawee]

tool making?
carve a spoon,tongs etc

 

[T. Erdelyi]

Basic plant ID for useful plants and poisonous plat ID.

 

[Barbarossa]

Good point; I would add identification of heat and cold weather injuries and symptoms of heat stroke and frostbite...

ROCK6

Great addition as these enforce keeping an eye on your buddy in the cases where he/she cannot evaluate themselves.

 

[VictGerbSogCamill]

I agree with the first aid training. I would say its a must. Knowing what to do if a serious injury happened. Water, food, shelter, fire, etc. isn't important if you cant repair yourself to do those tasks. Example splinting a broken leg.

 

[Mannlicher]

first thing, is to make sure the kids are down with Dad's hobbies.

 

[BigNate]

first thing, is to make sure the kids are down with Dad's hobbies.

As long as the activities remain fun and don't seem to be chores they'll have a great time. If they are comfortable & camping while practicing it won't feel like survival school and their enthusiasm will remain high.