Teen Week
For Ages 14 thru 19
Length:
5 days (Monday through Friday)
Location:
Big Oak Wilderness School, Nolensville, TN
Cost:
$400.00 (meals not provided)
Prerequisite:
14 to 19 years of age
Enrollment:
limited to 10 students
Accommodations:
Bring your own tent. The school classroom has heating and air conditioning
and a bathroom. The school has a
refrigerator; cook top and a microwave oven, there will also be a campfire
every night.
Meals:
Each student is responsible for his/her own food. There are restaurants and
grocery stores nearby.
Synopsis
During
this class we will be covering all the skills that we do during Wilderness
Skills. We will also be focusing on what needs to be done if you are lost
and Basic Wilderness First Aid. Parents are welcome to visit anytime during
the week.
The following skills will
be covered plus much more:
Shelter
The ability to stay cool in very hot conditions and to stay
warm in very cold conditions are equally important, and just a few of the
very many topics covered in this section. The student will be shown how to
construct a debris hut and how to make it into a very comfortable temporary
shelter
Water
Where does water come from? Where does it go? The student
will learn several ways to obtain water and purify it in the wild.
Fire
Making
The ability to make fire was sacred to our ancestors and is a
very important wilderness skill. Fire provides warmth and protection. It
enables us to cook and preserve food, purify water and shape weapons and
tools. The ability to consistently and dependably make fire is a necessity
for anyone in the wilderness. This ability can save your life and that of
your companions.
In this class you will learn how to
select various fuel materials and construct the fire lay. Various forms of
generating fire will be demonstrated, and the student will make their own
bow drill set. There will be lots of hands-on activities using the various
methods, with discussions on tinder and coal extenders. Emphasis will be
placed on form, technique, and mental attitude, all of which when put
together will instill in the student the confidence to consistently make
fire.
Food
While not really necessary for short term survival, food is a
concern that will be addressed. Some foraging techniques and a couple of
traps and snares will be shown (no animals will be trapped during the
course).
Tools
We will make some traps and snares (no animals will be
trapped during this class, for demonstration only). You will learn the
basics for flintknapping and learn to burn bowls and spoons.
Tanning
They say that every animal has just enough brains to tan its
own hide. We will cover how to make beautiful buckskin including techniques
of skinning, fleshing, scraping, braining, stretching and smoking the hide.
Tracking
Tracking is more than just following impressions on the
ground, it is an indicator of what has happened, what is happening and will
happen. The accomplished tracker can read many things from a single set of
prints. This class introduces the student to the many concepts of tracking
including: print identification, gait patterns and track aging.
Animal Markings and sign tracking will also be covered.
Cordage
There is an abundance of natural materials from which
primitive cordage can be made. We will show you how to gather and process
these natural materials and how to twist these fibers into useful cordage.
Knives
and Knife Handling
If you could only take one thing with you into the
wilderness, a good knife would be your best choice. We will discuss knife
types, construction and safe handling. Knife sharpening techniques will also
be discussed.
Plus so
much more….
EQUIPMENT LIST
Required
Sharp
Knife (3” to 5” blade, non-folding)
Sleeping
bag or blankets
Food,
snacks, cooking utensils
Eating
Utensils (Fork, Spoon, Knife, Plate, & Cup)
Water
Bottle (school has drinking water)
Changes
of clothing (cold and Warm weather)
Warm
outer gear and rain gear
Towel and
soap
Notebook
and Pens
Flashlight
Backpack
(to carry equipment)
Recommended
Tent
Tape
recorder/Tapes
Camera/Film
Extra
Batteries
Camp
Chairs or Seat Cushion (for sitting outside and around campfire)