History of Outdoor Education

Pioneers Jean-Jaques Rousseau ( ) Johann Heinrich Pesalozzzi ( ) Both of these men advocated for learning from direct experience rather than indirectly from books L.B. Sharp Became known as the father of school camping due to his advocacy for school camps.

Adventure Education Outward Bound Started in Colorado in In this program, outdoor adventures are used to give young people the opportunity to discover that they can accomplish far more and withstand more hardship than they had imagined.

Adventure Education Cont. Project Adventure Is an outgrowth of Outward Bound in that the ropes challenges were adapted for use in schools rather than as preparation for weeks in the wilderness.

Survival Skills “Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air, but only for one second without hope” -Anonymous-

The Rule of Three 3 minutes without air 3 hours without warmth 3 days without water 3 weeks without food

Survival Threats What has the highest survival rate? Staying put or walking out Causes of death in the wilderness: DehydrationHypothermia HyperthermiaAcute Mountain Illness High Altitude Cerebral Edema

Survival Kits

Survival Kits Should: Be light weight and compact Be with you when you need it Contain reliable equipment Be adjusted according to season and expected weather Include the equipment you will need to survive a night or two in the season

Survival Kits should Include: Shelter Material Large, heavy duty, orange plastic bag Plastic or fabric tube tents Mylar survival bags Sheet plastic Parachute line

Survival Kits Should Include (continued) Fire starting materials: Matches (contained in a water-proof case) Cigarette lighter Metal match with a scraper Vaseline impregnated cotton balls (in a water-proof case) Candle

Survival Kits Should Include (continued) Signaling Equipment Whistle with a lanyard Glass, or good plastic signal mirror with a lanyard Florescent plastic surveyors tape Brightly colored fabric

Survival Kits Should Include (continued) Additional clothing for warmth and protection from wind and wet Blade knife First Aid kit Metal cup Head lamp w/ extra battery/bulbs Food bars Water purification tablets Folding saw Compass

Wilderness Emergency Management

Sit down, get off your feet Control your panic Talk positively Drink water Analyze the immediate threats of danger Determine the length of your survival situation and begin preparations

Protect and Maintain Your Life Get out of the elements Put you back to the wind Minimize your heat loss Seek or make a shelter Improvise sources of heat Remain positive

Administer Self-Aid Think before you act Be careful—do not harm yourself Treat the injuries

Protect your Equipment Do not throw anything away Bring all useful equipment into your shelter

Conserve your Resources Inventory both man-made and natural materials available to you Conserve your body heat

Signal Your Distress Use all available signaling equipment to advertise your status and location

Manage your body and your Mind Do not get wet Eat Drink water Stay put Control your imagination Improve your clothing Rest Be alert Be patient Maintain a positive mental attitude

Leave No Trace Principles 1) Plan ahead and prepare 2) Travel and camp on durable surfaces 3) Properly dispose of what you can't pack out: minimize human effects 4) Leave what you find 5) Minimize use and effects from fire 6) Respect wildlife 7) Be considerate of other visitors

Debris Hut How To: A strong ridge pole and a good location are the first steps to the debris hut. Make sure the area is high and dry to avoid any problems with water drainage during a storm. Direction is noted for the door and door should face east or slightly southeast.

Debris Hut How To: Next, sticks are placed as ribbing along both sides of the ridge pole. This is done after I have laid down and measured the interior.

Debris Hut How To Still more sticks are placed to hold the debris up. More dry debris is also stuffed in the interior for comfortable bedding that lifts you off the cold ground.

Start piling on debris thick and high. Note the steep walls for shedding water.

The finished product! The walls are about 2 feet thick, good for a 20 degree night. This was probably my 10th debris hut. It took about 2 hours from start to finish due to the abundance of materials.

Sources Pinkman, Matt. "Debris Hut Construction." PrimitiveSkills.com. Maine Primitive Skills School. Web. 01 Sept