Originally Posted by Axe
I just lost my instructor who was going to teach Wilderness Survival Merit Badge to my Boy Scouts starting Monday, so I am going to need t step in and do it myself. The material I know very well, but teaching it is a different matter-I've never taught it to young kids before in a structured indoor setting.
I have 3 nights at 1 1/2 hours each to cover the Merit Badge requirements, so I have a decent amount of time to fill. I want to make the most of it and keep it fun, but really hit all of the fundamentals well. I'll have 6 inexperienced Scouts age 11-13.
Does anyone here have any survival-related power point slides or other multimedia material they can direct me to or would be willing to share with me?
Also, does anyone have any suggestions on Wilderness Survival-related activities for the Scouts to do or demonstrations I could incorporate to keep the class lively so my kids will remain engaged?
I sent you a PM about Boy Scout Survival and the i Phone that appeared in "EAGLE SCOUT MAGAZINE" Winter 2011 edition...
I want to do as much hands on as possible and try to avoid Death by Power point, as well as try to avoid inflicting death by Droning Scoutmaster. That said, visual aids I don't have to create from scratch this weekend would be EXTREMELY helpful.
I am planning on covering additional concerns such as clothing layering, and strongly emphasize arctic and temperate land survival, as well as discuss other general comfort tips in addition to teaching the requirements.
We will be at the church the first night. Where we meet after that will depend on weather and suggestions anyone here might have. Our high temp is 25 today, so doing much outside is going to be detrimental to good focus by the Scouts.
Thank you in advance to anyone who has any help they can give me. All suggestions will be very gratefully received.
The requirements for the Merit Badge are below:
Show that you know first aid for and how to prevent injuries or illnesses likely to occur in back-country settings, including hypothermia, heat reactions, frostbite, dehydration, blisters, insect stings, tick bites, and snakebites.
From memory list the seven priorities for survival in a backcountry or wilderness location. Explain the importance of each one with your counselor.
Describe ways to avoid panic and maintain a high level of morale when lost, and explain why this is important.
Describe the steps you would take to survive in the following conditions:
Cold and snowy
Wet (forest)
Hot and dry (desert)
Windy (mountains or plains)
Water (ocean, lake, or river)
Put together a personal survival kit and be able to explain how each item in it could be useful.
Using three different methods (other than matches), build and light three fires.
Do the following:
Show five different ways to attract attention when lost.
Demonstrate how to use a signal mirror.
Describe from memory five ground-to- air signals and tell what they mean.
Improvise a natural shelter. For the purpose of this demonstration, use techniques that have little negative impact on the environment. Spend a night in your shelter.
Explain how to protect yourself from insects, reptiles, and bears.
Demonstrate three ways to treat water found in the outdoors to prepare it for drinking.
Show that you know the proper clothing to wear in your area on an overnight in extremely hot weather and in extremely cold weather.
Explain why it usually is not wise to eat edible wild plants or wildlife in a wilderness survival situation.
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