Why should I teach survival?

Many kids view survival as something they see on TV or in their imaginary play in the backyard. It is hard for them to understand the direness of truly being lost or in danger. The realization that there is no TV crew available when things go south or lunch isn’t just waiting for them at home. Will a semester-long survival class bring this to life? Maybe, but it will expose the kids to situations they may not have previously grasped. Hopefully, some of the things they learn will stick so that should they find themselves in a survival situation, they are more prepared.

We live in a rural area where many of the kids in my class spend considerable time in the woods hunting, fishing, hiking, cutting firewood, and camping. Even with that, many were surprised by the skills they didn’t possess or were not prepared to handle independently.