Survival 101 the Basics

Everyone who attended Survival Camp last year was back for more and we were joined by some new faces! Mike started with a review of basic information that everyone should know if they are ever lost in the woods. Then he had everyone work on starting fires. For those who had been there last year this was a review but I know my team sure needed it. Meg did very well finding the pitch she needed to start her fire using a knife and metal match. Beth was able to get a fire started. Jo came very close. I think if we had more time she would have got her fire started but we ran out of time.

Jo did find a baby chipmunk that she fell in love with and wanted to take home. I was able to convince her that it was better to leave it with it's parents. I'm sure they were around somewhere.

After practicing fire starting we built a shelter. Again this was a review from last year, but Mike took it to the next level allowing those who were interested to stay in the shelter over night. Since none of the girls at camp decided to spend a night under the stars I lucked out and didn't have to sleep out either.

During the edible plants lesson the group also found a doe moose. She had been injured and was obviously dying. The sheriff was notified and came up to put her out of her misery. I think the older kids at camp understood what was going on, but I know my younger three never caught on. Non of the campers were around when the moose was shot.

The campers learned how to build rabbit snares, deer snares, and bird snares. They were really cool. During the time we were at camp non of the snares caught anything. Jo asked Mike to teach her to build a trap that would catch a rabbit without killing it. Mike took the time to show her how. While Jo never actually caught a rabbit with her trap, she didn't come home empty handed either.

On the last day, the campers built a log raft. It was great seeing them work together to lift those heavy logs! They had a blast paddling out on the lake.

The Chihuahua's were at camp too wearing sporting camo doggie sweaters thanks to Grandma! They were the best dressed pups up at camp!

Things You Should Know if Your Lost in the Woods

Before going out into the wilderness you should always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to get back. If you follow through then someone will at least be able to report you missing and let rescuers know where they should look.

If you have followed this safety rule, and find yourself lost, you need to begin to actively start signaling so that rescuers can find you. You should find a clear meadow where airplanes or helicopters can spot you. Then you will need to start three fires in the shape of a triangle about 40 feet apart. Write the letters S O S in block form about 20 feet high and ten feet across.

Keep your fires going and keep hydrated. It is safer to drink the unfiltered water and stay hydrated then to to get sick from dehydration. Eat charcoal from the fire the same size as your thumb every 20 minutes to keep from getting sick. The three water sources you should never drink are salt water, alkaline water (water with a
white ring around the edge) and chemically contaminated water.

The average length of time it takes rescuers to find a missing person who is actively signalling is 72 hours. Unfortunately, 80% of people decide that they are going to die after only six hours of being lost!

Surviver Man...March's?

The girls, the dogs, and I will be going up to Silver Creek tomorrow for our second year at Survival Camp. Last year was just an absolutely incredible experienced. We built several fires starting with a basic "How to Start a Fire" and graduating to "After Three Days of Rain Using Only Wet Wood You Too Can Start a Fire." We never used matches for any of these. We built a shelter, leaned about edible plants, how to safely drink water in the wild, and many, many other things. My head was swimming for days after we got back.

This year Mike Lowe our instructor from Wilderness Way will be taking the training up a notch. We will be building a raft, snaring rabbits, building a shelter AND sleeping in it, and I am sure we will play with fire again. It's just so much fun!

The rabbit population is well established up at Silver Creek, due to the release of some domesticated rabbits a few years ago. White, black, carmel, silver, and a variety of other darling rabbits and young bunnies can be seen scampering throught camp constantly. The kids were able to catch them with bare hands alone last year.

Jo made the cutes rabbit snare. She tied a carrot to a string and hid behind a log. She waited so paitently for a rabbit to come. Then Beth, trying to be cute, crawled up and ate the carrot. Boy, was Jo ticked, she still reminds Beth about it!

Mike is one of those amazing people who can spin a tale and capture his audience. When he tells about eating banana slugs you can practically feel the chewy texture as it slid down his throat. Not only did Mike get the slug down, he made another guy throw up just watching!!!

Mike keeps the kids moving fast and having a blast which is a talent in and of itself. But he also encourages the guys to be gentlemen and the gals to be TOUGH! After all, there's nothin' tougher then a five year old girl with a knife striking flint, making sparks burst into flame and getting ready to snare a poor baby bunny!

I want to be on D.G.'s orienteering team again this year. That guy is a robot with a built in compass, he didn't care if there was a tree in his way, he made the tree move I swear! Besides, I just get lost, I need to be with someone who will get me back to camp even if I am "supposed" to be the adult.

So as you enjoy your comfy bed tonight, think of me outside, on the ground, with a bunch noisy kids and a whole lot of smoke....