History of Outdoor Education

Pioneers

Jean-Jaques Rousseau (1712-1788)Johann Heinrich Pesalozzzi (1746-1827)

Both of these men advocated for learning from direct experience rather than indirectly from books

L.B. SharpBecame known as the father of school

camping due to his advocacy for school camps.

Adventure Education

Outward BoundStarted in Colorado in 1962. 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 ThreatsWhat has the highest survival rate?

Staying put or walking out

Causes of death in the wilderness:

Dehydration Hypothermia

Hyperthermia Acute 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 Principles1) 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. 2010.

<http://www.thefarm.org/charities/i4at/lib2/debris.htm>