The Wilderness and Kids, What Should They Know©

 

Author’s note -- I hope that you enjoy learning from this resource!  To help me to continue to provide valuable free content, please consider showing your appreciation by leaving a donation HERE.  Thank you and Happy Trails!

 

You are planning a trip into the wilderness thirty miles from the nearest road, or maybe only to a state or county park that is large and a little bit wild or remote.  Sure you know what you are doing, but what about your kids?  What should you teach then?

 

First things first, explain to them about the hazards that are found in the wilderness, things like dangerous plants, stinging and biting insects and risky terrain,  And since kids are prone to getting lost, teach them how to keep from getting lost.    Teach them to observe the landmarks around them as they walk, and to look  behind now and again, because landmarks look different from different directions.  Teach them how to tell their direction from the Sun, and how much daylight is left before sundown.  Show them the basics of how to read a map and use a compass, because compasses don’t show the way home, they only point north.  Teach them some basic first aid, so that they can fix their own boo-boos.  Demonstrate to them how to use a signal mirror and a whistle, and when.  Teach them about edible plants and berries, like dandelions, blackberries and blueberries.  And explain to them how to make water safe to drink and why that is important.

Depending on their age, Show them how to build a fire and light it with a match or a lighter.  Teach them how to safely use a knife. 

 

Explain to them what to do to “lost-proof” themselves and that they are never lost, only “misplaced”, because misplaced things are found.  Teach them how to keep warm and prevent hypothermia.  Explain to them why to “Hug-a-Tree”, if they become “misplaced”, and to stay together if they are with someone or have brought a dog with them.

 

Don’t forget to come back next week and read “Wilderness and Kids, How to Teach ©”, where we will talk about how to explain, demonstrate, and guide kids in outdoor skills.

 

I hope that you enjoy learning from this resource!  To help me to continue to provide valuable free content, please consider showing your appreciation by leaving a donation HERE.  Thank you and Happy Trails!

 

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

 

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