Shelter Skills Day at 100 Acre Wood: 10-18-15

If you take a stroll through the 100 Acre Wood, you'll find that a new subdivision has been developed, using sustainable "green" construction methods and materials. These state-of-the-art residences are not for sale, but they are open for viewing (and snuggling into). The talented architects and construction crew? The Bald Eagles!

After a check-in, we discussed the realities of wilderness survival, reviewing the Survival Rule of Fours (ask your daughter what the four survival priorities are and in what order... and ask her why deep breathing is so important in a survival situation). On this day we focused on the survival priority of shelter, learning how imperative a properly insulating shelter is for surviving even a single night in the woods. We discussed the many ways and reasons one can become cold: conduction, evaporation, convection, and radiation (see if your gal remembers and can explain these). 

Our first focus was to put on shelter eyes, traveling up the trail and seeking nooks and crannies that could be or become a shelter for different sizes and types of animals. After a snack and shelter story from survivalist Tom Brown, we took a cue from the squirrels, who build nests with sticks and insulate them with leaves, and let their designs inspire our own natural shelters, which were built in the classic "debris hut" style. Our community dwellings sprung up from the forest floor, and within a few hours we had two deluxe shelters (we started with three, but alas, two collapsed in process. Girls were able to shift gears and re-calibrate and collaborate to create new shelters).

With the bit of time remaining, we took a home tour of each shelter, assessing each on their ability to withstand wind and rain, retain body heat, and remain safe from any nearby blowdowns. A few brave girls even tested the shelters' rain resistant capacity by getting inside to receive a water bottle dunking (if the shelter was really well built, little water made it through). 

Finally, we engaged in a group awareness activity that helped us understand where each group member is on the bridge of adolescence. This activity was really illuminating for the group to empathize, understand, and respect that we all travel across this bridge differently, and to be aware of where each of our group members is at with different aspects of adolescence. 

Next time you take a walk through the Hundred Acre Woods, see if your own "shelter-seeking eyes" can detect these artfully constructed debris huts- they are truly impressive, and almost invite one in to spend the night...

Our words of the day? Go Ask The Squirrels!

You may see the slideshow from our day here. 

EC MOTTOS that came into play today: Many Hands Make Light Work, All Things Are Connected, LIBK, Be Prepared, Leave No Trace, Safety First