First
off, to be totally transparent, I don’t have a teaching degree, but I was a Scoutmaster
for fifteen years and a Senior Guide with Birchbark Expeditions for the last
ten years. And I have taught hundreds of
kids the basics of wilderness lore and how to survive AND have fun in the outdoors.
So,
let’s talk about concepts and basics.
Always
crouch down or be seated when talking with someone small. Let’s face it, no one likes being loomed over,
you don’t like it and neither do kids.
Let
kids be kids.
They are going to want to get dirty, climb rocks and trees, wade in
creeks – let them and use it as an opportunity to teach them about skills, safety
and consequences of their actions. For
example, if their shoes and socks get wet on a cold or windy day while wading
in a creek, explain to them that they are going to be cold latter and might
develop immersion foot (for more on immersion foot go HERE).
Always
show how to do something, never tell. This is called the E.D.G.E method and is
widely used within the Boy Scouts. Don’t lecture, teach by showing. Ask questions, like “what do you think?”
or “what would you do next?”.
Always
tell them that you are proud of them when they succeed at
doing something new, even if it isn’t perfect.
Compliments are scarce in our modern world, and a few go a long way. The more you compliment kids. the more they
will try to keep learning.
Because of the 4th of July, there
won’t be an article next week, so remember to come back on the 12th
for another excellent article!
I
hope that you continue to enjoy The Woodsman’s Journal Online and look for me
on YouTube at BandanaMan Productions for other related videos, HERE. Don’t forget to follow me on both The
Woodsman’s Journal Online, HERE,
and subscribe to BandanaMan Productions on YouTube. If you have questions, as always, feel free
to leave a comment on either site. I
announce new articles on Facebook at Eric Reynolds, on Instagram at
bandanamanaproductions, and on VK at Eric Reynolds, so watch for me.
That
is all for now, and as always, until next time, Happy Trails!
Sources
AP;
“Survival Instructions”, The Telegraph-Herald, September 1, 1991, page 1B, https://books.google.com/books?id=sqZFAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA7&dq=getting+lost,+singewald+emphasizes&article_id=4522,65750&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjHo4Tcl4OOAxU8kYkEHdQILzwQ6AF6BAgGEAM#v=onepage&q=getting%20lost%2C%20singewald%20emphasizes&f=false,
accessed June 21, 2025
Kingsley, Eric; Forest
Resources Association, December 2023, [©2025 Forest Resources Association], https://forestresources.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/23-S-13-Immersion-Foot.pdf,
accessed June 28, 2025
Klusmann,
Wes
H.; The Book of Knowledge, Children’s Encyclopedia, Volume 3, “Camping and Camp Lore”, [The Grolier Society Inc., New
York, 1957], pages 1031 to 1038
McHugh,
Pat; “Trips With Kids Should Be Action-Packed”, Reading Eagle July 13, 2008,
page D10, https://books.google.com/books?id=8zMxAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA20&dq=Trips+With+Kids+Should+Be+Action-Packed&article_id=1319,4540782&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjIzKqbkYOOAxUWlYkEHZ9GNa4Q6AF6BAgKEAM#v=onepage&q=Trips%20With%20Kids%20Should%20Be%20Action-Packed&f=false,
accessed July 21, 2025
Unknown;
“Wilderness outfitter teaches survival to children”, Lawrence Journal-World, Sep
19, 1991, page 1B, https://books.google.com/books?id=rcEzAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA7&dq=wilderness+outfitter+teaches+survival&article_id=3703,6026145&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjHxODqk4OOAxUWmIkEHV8nPUUQ6AF6BAgEEAM#v=onepage&q=wilderness%20outfitter%20teaches%20survival&f=false,
accessed June 21, 2025
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