Wilderness Skills: Shelter Building

Wednesday, October 7 | 1–4pm Rain Date: Wednesday, October 14 Pembroke, NH | Ages 9–14 Could you build a shelter in the woods using only what you find around you? For this hands-on wilderness skills workshop, we’re heading into the woods to find out! Students will learn the basics of building a debris shelter- a simple survival shelter constructed from branches, leaves, and other natural materials found in the forest. We’ll learn how to choose a safe shelter location, think about wind and weather, build a strong framework, gather the right materials, and use layers of forest debris to create insulation and protection from the elements. Then comes the best part: we’ll build them! Working together in small teams, students will gather materials and construct full-size shelters they can actually climb inside. Once they’re finished, we’ll put our shelters to the test and see what worked, what didn’t, and what we might change if we really needed to spend a night in the woods. This class will be active, outdoors, and probably a little dirty- exactly the way a wilderness skills class should be! This is a drop-off program. Part of the experience is giving kids the opportunity to work independently, collaborate with their peers, make decisions, encounter problems, and figure out solutions without an adult immediately stepping in to do it for them. Families are welcome to remain nearby if their child needs them, but adults will not participate in the workshop. Details Wednesday, October 7 1:00–4:00pm Rain Date: Wednesday, October 14 Ages 9–14 Pembroke, New Hampshire The exact meeting location and additional information will be emailed to registered families prior to the program. Students should arrive dressed for the weather in clothing and sturdy, closed-toe footwear appropriate for spending the afternoon in the woods. Bring a snack and water bottle with you also!