outdoor teens

  • FISH, TEENS

    Hooked on Nature: A 16 Year Old’s Fly Fishing Journey

    Today, we are delighted to share a unique perspective straight from the heart of a 16-year-old adventurer and fly-fishing enthusiast. Meet Jonathan Willis, a teenager whose passion for fly fishing has become a personal journey of discovery and inspired an appreciation of nature and a passion for the great outdoors. In this guest blog post written by Jonathan himself, he invites us into his world, sharing the story of how he got started on his fly fishing adventures and what continues to draw him back to the water. It’s a story that emphasizes how the simple act of getting kids outside can spark a new passion, leading to research, persistence, patience, determination, and appreciation. It’s the kind of story that reminds us parents that getting kids off screens and outside is SO worth it.          

    “To him, all good things – trout as well as eternal salvation – came by grace; and grace comes by art; and art does not come easy” Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It.

    A fisherman’s journey

    Learning to fly fish is a continuous process, but embarking on this new adventure for me was a rollercoaster of challenges and emotions. Despite past setbacks, fly fishing continues to open new doors in my life, allowing me to travel to different places, experience new things, and bond with friends and family. Fly fishing has taught me to overcome challenges and appreciate nature in a greater way.

    How my fly fishing adventures began

    It was the early summer of last year when I dragged my dad into our car and convinced him to drive from the suburbs of Maryland, through the mountains of Pennsylvania, to the cool waters of a small limestone stream. Our targets, which had been on my mind since we were introduced to the idea, were brown and rainbow trout.

    Earlier that month, we bought two rods, two reels, lines, leaders, and an assortment of flies to help us catch these elusive species. With high expectations and our cameras ready, we arrived at the spot, stepped into our waders, tied a “buggy” fly onto our line, and entered the flowing water. My dad and I proceeded to catch absolutely nothing, tripping over rocks and falling into the water several times. With our hopes low and our feet soggy, we loaded everything into the car and drove home.

    Back to the drawing board

    Over the next few days, I did some research and discovered how truly difficult it is to catch a trout on a fly. I learned that a fisherman has to take into consideration the depth, speed, and temperature of the water, the type of insect that is hatching, along with the time and weather. I discovered the vast array of fly patterns and casting techniques used while fishing. I also discovered how much work was cut out for me if I was ever going to catch a trout on a fly.

    After a week or so of continued learning and research, we mustered up the courage to return to the same stream, now a little more informed. It was a sunny bluebird day, and the drive through the green forests and mountains was breathtaking. We arrived at the spot and noticed an old orange pickup truck parked by the stream. During the earlier trip, we had seen no one fishing, so this came as a slight surprise to us. My dad parked the car, and we began what we thought was going to be another grueling day.

    Learning from the locals

    After about an hour or two on the water, we headed back to the car, without any luck, for some water and snacks. At the car, my dad and I were greeted by an older man sitting on one of the picnic benches scattered around the parking area. He was enjoying the beautiful day, peacefully sitting and appreciating the environment around him. We started talking and found out that he had a successful morning, catching several nice-sized trout.

    Curious and desperate for success, I asked what he had used, and the man showed us a strange fly we had never seen before. He made it himself by simply taking a few of his dog’s shed hairs and tying them onto a small barbless hook. I told him that I had been frustrated by the whole fly-fishing experience from this morning and last week.

    He explained to me that fly fishing was more than just catching fish. It was an experience, not just an action. He told me to slow down on the water and to appreciate my surroundings. My new friend gave us a few of his dog hair flies, then got in his truck and drove off. After that odd interaction and with the new flies in my arsenal, we ate some trail mix and got back in the stream.

    Back in the water

    After half an hour, I came across a new patch of water that curved gently with the help of high-cut banks. There were a few large boulders toward the start of the run before the water gradually got deeper until it leveled off under an overhanging branch. After studying the different types of water at home, I knew this area would be fishy.

    I cast the dog hair fly just above the large boulders and watched as my indicator drifted down a rifle. As my indicator passed under the overhanging branch, it jumped down, and I immediately set the hook. My rod bent as I stumbled backward, surprised that something was on the other end of my line.

    Landing the prize and finding the beauty

    I reeled in and walked closer to the shore so I could have a safer place to net the fish. As it swam closer, I could see that he was a decent-sized rainbow trout. When the fish was within arm’s reach, I fumbled for my net and scooped him up. After all that excitement, I was ecstatic that I had just landed a trout.

    I picked him up and watched as he glistened in the sunlight. The trout was slightly green and pink, with intricate black dots running from head to tail. I took the old man’s fly out of his mouth and wished that I could thank him for his help. I submerged the fish back into the water and watched as he swam off.

    And at that moment, something dawned upon me as I thought back to what the old man had told me. All around me, there was beauty. I looked up and saw bright green leaves glistening in the sunlight. I looked down and saw the cool stream warping and bubbling its way around large boulders. I looked into the distance and saw great, mighty mountains overlooking the valley I stood in. I began to acknowledge and appreciate all of it.

    What fly fishing has taught me

    Over the next few months, as I progressed as a fly fisherman, I experienced all kinds of great opportunities that fly fishing gifted me. I experienced new and unique things outdoors in nature, like the sudden exhilarating feeling of a fish hitting your fly. I traveled to new places around the northeast, opening my eyes to the regional area. While fishing or looking in local fly shops, I met many mentors who helped me not only grow my fishing skills but also my character. I connected to my dad’s past in the Florida Keys last summer, fishing the same flats he fished as a kid.

    Most importantly, fly fishing connected me to nature. There is no other feeling like standing on a cool limestone stream, surrounded by mountains and trees, while the sun rises. It’s the type of feeling that gets your hairs standing and sends chills through your chest. All technologies and modern-day stresses vanish as you bask in the awe-inspiring outdoors.

    Fly fishing has allowed me to appreciate the environment and opened my eyes towards conservation. As I grow older, I want to take steps to protect the earth so my kids and grandkids can enjoy it. Learning to fly fish continues to provide new experiences and possibilities, allowing me to truly grow and discover myself.

    What’s an outdoor activity that’s connected you to nature?

    About the author

    Jonathan is a 16-year-old outdoor adventurer and world traveler. He is an honors student and Varsity athlete at his beloved high school. Besides his love of fly fishing, he is an avid scuba diver and underwater photographer, having experienced Tiger sharks and Sperm whales and lived to tell about it! He loves mountain biking and hiking in the wilderness with his friends. He loves to write about his adventures to share with others his love and passion for nature and for our world.

  • OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PARENTING, TEENS

    Teen Mental Health and Nature

    In today’s fast-paced, socially distant, yet hyperconnected world, the mental well-being of teenagers is facing an alarming crisis. The prevalence of anxiety, stress, and other mental health challenges among adolescents has reached unprecedented levels, casting a dark shadow over their formative years. As parents, it can be scary to consider the statistics, but it’s also imperative that we delve into the depths of this issue and explore potential remedies that can bring hope and relief. One of those being the great outdoors. Today, Jen Barnes, South Carolina mother to three teens, will shed light on the daunting state of teen mental health, and unveil the transformative power of spending time outside in nature as a vital antidote to anxiety and stress, igniting a path towards healing, resilience, and personal growth.

    teen mental health & spending time outside in nature

    Using nature as a tool 

    I have three teens of my own, and I am around adolescents day in and day out. And like you, I even have experience as a teenager myself. While I am not a doctor, nor do I have any training in the mental health field, I have observations, experiences, and anecdotes that tell me this fact…teens need nature.

    Teen mental health and nature have a connection. Spending time in nature can have a significant impact on teen mental health. Nature is not the only solution, but it is a powerful tool in our parenting toolbox that we can use to help our children.

    We all have a deep-rooted need within us to let go and be free. Free of social constraints, free from school/household responsibilities, and free to be ourselves. Nature and outside time can give that to our teens. This post will show the reality of teen mental health today, ways nature can be an aid, and how-to solutions to help your teens through it all.

    Teen mental health today

    While I do not want to scare or intimidate you with statistics on the dire state of teen mental health, they are necessary to understand some of why teens are experiencing debilitating diagnoses and daily mental health struggles. Strong mental health is vital to the development of everyone, but it is especially poignant during the adolescent years as teens mature both physically and emotionally.

    • Over 2.7 million youth report severe major depression.
    • 22% of high school students in a recent survey said they have seriously considered suicide in the past year.
    • 25% of teens have a mental health diagnosis from a professional (and this does not include teens who are either too scared to seek help or do not have access to help).

    Factors affecting teen mental health

    Every organization involved in teen mental health reports that these statistics are on the rise dramatically. And while there is no one single thing we can blame these statistics on, there are several that come to mind and have been cited time and again. Understanding these significant factors that impact teen mental health is crucial in developing effective strategies and interventions to support and nurture their well-being. 

    Screens

    First, we live in an era dominated by screens. The ubiquitous presence of social media platforms has transformed the way teens interact and perceive themselves. The constant exposure to curated online personas, cyberbullying, and social comparison can lead to feelings of inadequacy, isolation, and low self-esteem.

    Performance pressure

    The pressure to excel academically (or athletically, or extra-circularly), secure scholarships, win games, and gain admission to prestigious institutions has intensified for teenagers. Teens often experience immense stress, anxiety, and burnout due to the high expectations placed upon them. 

    Traumatic experiences

    Teens may experience traumatic events such as physical or emotional abuse, neglect, bullying, or loss. These experiences can have long-lasting effects on their mental health, leading to conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression. In addition, in the U.S. significantly, we have teenagers that go to school every day, fearing that another school shooting has taken place or will take place. 

    All of these factors have a tendency to draw anyone inward, but especially teenagers who are still immature in their coping mechanisms and emotional development. It’s on us as parents to help them through this. 

    teen girl sitting on the edge of a waterfall

    Teen mental health and screens

    It is almost impossible to have a conversation on teen mental health without talking about screens and the content our teens are consuming on those screens. 

    Access to adult content

    The entertainment and media options available to teens are endless. No, it’s not all evil…but it’s not all good, either. The sheer amount of access to adult content available at their fingertips is unfathomable to most parents. In today’s digital age, explicit material is just a few clicks away, blurring the lines between what is appropriate for adult consumption and what is suitable for impressionable minds.

    Exposure to adult content at an early age can have detrimental effects on teens’ cognitive development, self-image, and understanding of healthy relationships. Such content often portrays unrealistic and harmful representations of sexuality, leading to distorted perceptions, confusion, and a distorted sense of self. It can fuel feelings of inadequacy, body shaming, and pressure to conform to unrealistic standards. 

    Social media

    Let me give you my hot take on social media. Not only does social media demand the attention of our teens, but it demands their loyalty. Every time a teen scrolls he/she is told, “You, too, should be a beautiful person with a beautiful life…and here’s how you do it right.” In a world that preaches individualism, there sure is a lot of conformity that is expected. So, in an effort to conform, they go back to the social media that informs them on how to do it. Constant exposure to social media platforms can fuel a cycle of comparison, where teens measure their worth based on carefully curated highlight reels of their peers. This constant comparison can lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and a distorted self-image. 

    The addictive nature of social media further exacerbates the problem, with excessive screen time replacing real-life social interactions and adversely affecting sleep patterns. The pressure to gain likes, followers, and virtual validation can create a constant sense of anxiety and a fear of missing out (FOMO). Additionally, cyberbullying, (hurtful comments, rumors, and public shaming) can inflict deep emotional scars.

    teen boy crouching down with dog next to a lake

    Social media can make teens less social

    Paradoxically, as these kids are deeply connected to their screens, they are more socially disconnected than ever. The rise of social media platforms has led to a concerning trend of teenagers becoming less socially engaged in the offline world. While these platforms promise to connect individuals, they often contribute to a decrease in face-to-face interactions and genuine human connections.

    Social media can create a false sense of socialization, where likes, comments, and emojis substitute for meaningful conversations and authentic interactions. But, adolescents need peer face-to-face interaction. They need to argue and affirm in real life, not with keyboard courage or placating phrases. They need to be able to observe and read body language and facial cues so that they can understand emotions and reactions. These interactions provide a unique and irreplaceable opportunity for young individuals to learn, grow, and navigate the complexities of the world around them. They also help teenagers to develop essential social skills such as empathy, communication, and conflict resolution.

    Social media shows teens what they’re missing

    Furthermore, social media has the ability to make teens feel very left out and lonely when they see their friends and schoolmates posting about their activities. Remember how you and I were often blissfully unaware if other friends got together to go to a movie and you weren’t invited? That does not exist anymore. If a few kids hang out, everyone else will know about it when they Snapchat photos. You can even find them all in the same location on snap maps. Naturally, those not invited feel left out and rejected. With girls, this scenario may play out for weeks as gossip, jealousy, and competition can ensue. Of course, these have always been a part of social life, but with screens, it is all instantaneous, and everyone knows. 

    teen boy and teen girl on stationary on a mountain bike path

    Teen expectations and exhaustion

    Teens also have mental fatigue. We are asking for more and more output academically, physically, and mentally than ever before. Parents often place significant pressure on teenagers to excel academically and perform well in sports, inadvertently leading to negative consequences for their mental and emotional well-being. We are telling them they need to perform harder, faster, stronger, and more adeptly than most of them are ready for. This pressure to perform can create a constant state of stress, anxiety, and fear of failure in our teenagers. They may feel overwhelmed, burnt out, and experience a loss of motivation and joy in learning or playing sports/games they used to love. 

    Oftentimes, we simultaneously let them off the hook in their character development and pursuit of personal growth at the expense of performance pressure. The relentless pursuit of academic success can lead to a narrow focus on grades rather than fostering a love for learning and personal growth. The demand for excellence in one sport may keep kids from trying new sports or discovering new passions, interests, and hobbies. The constant drive for athletic achievement can also result in physical exhaustion, injuries, and mental burnout. 

    A generational shift in stress

    A recent study showed that 64% of teens report feeling the world is more stressful than when their parents were their age. This increased perception of stress has profound implications for their overall well-being and development. It suggests that teenagers are grappling with unique challenges and pressures that previous generations did not face to the same extent.

    The modern world is characterized by rapid technological advancements, increasing academic competitiveness, social media influence, economic uncertainties, and global issues like climate change. These factors, among others, contribute to a heightened sense of pressure, uncertainty, and overwhelm for teenagers.

    As parents, we hope that we’re giving our kids the best and making things easier for them than we had, but that doesn’t seem to be the case, according to many teens. There has been a generational shift, and we need to pay attention.

    Teen girl SUP in the Aegean Sea

    How nature plays a positive role in teen mental health

    In a world where teenagers grapple with mounting pressures and the constant bombardment of technology, finding solace and respite in nature has become more crucial than ever. Nature has an inherent ability to heal and restore, offering a sanctuary away from the stresses and anxieties of daily life. Here are some positive benefits of spending time outside that teenagers desperately need.

    Sense of calmness

    One of the great benefits of nature for teens is the sense of calm it offers. In a world that is adamant to gain teens’ attention with extreme noise and flashes of glitter, nature lets their minds rest. And as their minds rest, their nervous system can relax. Anxiety is reduced as their brains take a break from the worries and cares and instead go blank.

    This calmness can be experienced in a simple walk around the neighborhood or a picnic at the park. As I have personally encouraged my own teens to take a break outside, they are now implementing it themselves. I have even heard them say they crave time in nature. When they experience the sense of calmness that nature can provide, they want “the calm”!

    Confidence and self-esteem

    Another benefit for teens is how nature can play a part in building confidence and boosting self-esteem. My friend Tiphini says that “the biggest perk we’ve seen from pushing our teens to spend time out in nature is an unexpected boost in self-confidence. Whether they are on a multi-day paddle across Lake Superior, navigating moguls on a black diamond run, working to conquer a new mountain bike trail, or pushing themselves up the side of a mountain — they know they can do hard things. They recognize they are capable, and in the tumultuous teen years, this is something pretty special.” 

    Nature provides a nurturing environment that encourages exploration, self-discovery, and personal growth. When teenagers spend time outside in nature, they are exposed to new challenges. And when they overcome their obstacles, they develop a sense of accomplishment and a belief in their abilities. Moreover, being in nature promotes a break from social comparisons and judgments, providing teenagers with an opportunity to embrace their individuality and build confidence in who they are.

    Gratitude

    Recently, I have been learning more about blue mind science. This is the scientific proof that spending time on, in, or near water has a positive effect on our bodies, including our mental health. Cited as one of the byproducts of blue time is awe and gratitude. There is a shift from self-focus to recognizing a larger world beyond themselves. The depths of the sea and the sea life within open up their minds to things how many things are possible, and all the things undiscovered. It’s inspiring rather than stifling. 

    Stress relief

    As noted above, there are physiological responses that aid in mental health as well. Studies show that nature is an antidote to stress. Some of the physical responses determined by scientific data are lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels, an enhanced immune system function, a reduction in anxiety, and an improved mood. Anyone would benefit from these things, but with the added pressures teens face, these could be game changers for their daily lives. 

    Focus

    When a teenager’s mind is relaxed, they are able to focus better, as well. When my teenagers are studying, I encourage them to take a break by going for a walk or a bike ride outside to clear their heads, get some fresh air, and physical activity. All these things have been linked to increased focus, a boost in creativity, and battery memory retention.

    Time in nature can also foster exceptional creativity by allowing stimuli to push a teen into hyper-awareness. Moving away from “noise” allows their minds to go blank and hone in on some pretty fantastic creativity and purpose. As distractions are eliminated, a teen can see their direction more clearly and discern what gives him/her joy. 

    Connection

    As a mom, one of the greatest benefits of nature in a teen’s life is the way it plays a part in our connection to each other as a family. Without the pull of screens, time in nature gives me the opportunity to really talk to my teens. Without fail, times in nature are the times when my teens open up and talk about the things that matter to them. Nature gives them a place to express themselves and let them be true to themselves. 

    teens tubing in a lake

    How to use nature as a nurturer in the life of your teens

    Telling your teens they need nature and “go outside” won’t really work. Telling teens anything has little effect. Instead, one method that works for our family is to model what it looks like to use nature to aid in mental health. Show your teens that taking a walk along the river or even a day in the woods to yourself is a great way to alleviate stress. Let your kids see you revert to nature when you need a break, and use outdoor time as a way to self-soothe and regulate your stress and emotions.

    In addition, here are some ways you can incorporate more time outside with your teens. 

    Keep it simple

    If outside time is new to your teens, you may want to start with simple solutions. Serve family dinner outdoors one night. Start taking the dog for a walk in the neighborhood together every day. Pack a picnic for lunch at a local park. Set up a hammock in the backyard and make it a reading/resting spot. Your teen does not need to be “outdoorsy” or climb mountains to spend time in nature. Fresh air and sunshine in your own backyard can do so much to relax and reset. 

    Try new things outside

    If your teens don’t particularly have a passion or interest, this can be a great excuse to explore some new outside activities. I have found that exposure often drives teens toward nature as they find new things they try and enjoy. Fishing, surfing, sailing, trail running, and mountain biking are all ideas to let your teens give a try. When they have an activity that brings them joy, they are more likely to seek out that time in nature on their own.

    Let your teen lead the way

    I know this can be scary, but teens are moving toward adulthood, and independence — they crave it. Give your teen the opportunity to choose and plan something that excites them. Rock climbing may not be your idea of fun, but if it is something your teen wants to explore and it gets them outside, why would you stand in the way? If snowboarding is an outlet for your teen to burn off stress, don’t you want to encourage that? The bottom line here is to let them have an idea and then let them find a plan to make it happen.

    Encourage your teens to invite friends

    There is no denying that teens function in peer groups, and the pack mentality is strong during the adolescent years. In a post-covid world, though, there is less emphasis on face-to-face interactions. Use outdoor time as a way to help your teens reconnect with their peers. Activities in nature are an easy way to gather groups together for fun. River tubing, bonfires, frisbee golf, beach games, cliff/waterfall jumping, and campouts bring teens together and give them the freedom to have fun and connect together in nature.

    group of teens at the top of a summit on a hike in Olympic National Park

    The connection between teen mental health and nature

    I hope I have made the case for the connection that exists between teen mental health and nature. My own teens tell me (and their friends) they need time outside. I  recently overheard my teenage daughter on the phone with a friend talking about feeling like she was drowning in schoolwork and responsibilities. She admitted that she just wanted to get outside and take a hike…preferably in Washington state, where there was no cell service. (Note: a few summers ago, we hiked in Olympic National Park, and I guess she realized how wonderful it really was to disconnect and be free from the daily grind. That trip paid off!)

    It made me so happy to hear her realize that getting outside and into nature was her first response to stress and her go-to coping mechanism. That has been my goal, to give my teens an awareness of their mental health state and to provide them with a solution to help them cope. Getting outside helps them get back to a renewed place, ready to face the next challenge in life. 

    teen boy swimming with a pig in Exuma, Bahamas

    How do you help your teen get outside?
    Do you feel it helps?

    About the author

    Jen has been married to her original adventure partner, John, for 20 years. She is a mama to 3 teenagers who, although they have busy and independent lives, love to adventure in the outdoors when they can. Jen is a native of Chicago, but has lived in South Carolina for two decades and calls it home. She’s always planning the next adventure for herself or her friends, whether near or far. Hiking, kayaking, sailing with her family, or traveling the world is all about the experience and the journey. Her extroverted nature keeps her talking and smiling with anyone she meets along the way. She’s on a mission to show other busy families that traveling with teenagers is possible and fun!

    You can find Jen online in the following locations:
    Instagram: @gofamilyadventure
    Website: Go Family Adventure
    RWMC Posts: Jen Barnes

  • CAMP, INFORMATION, LESSONS, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, TEENS

    Wilderness Survival Skills for Teens and Tweens

    Getting kids outside to experience the wonders of nature isn’t limited to the early childhood years. In a world infused with technology and fast-paced demands, our teens and tweens need the great outdoors more than ever. However, by the time they’ve reached their teen years, our kids are often past the days of playing at the park for hours on end. So, how do we encourage them to continue to love nature, to explore its beauty, and appreciate its allure? Today, Leslie Alvis, Ohio homeschooling mom of four, shares some ideas for engaging your teens (and pre-teens) in the outdoors through the challenge of learning wilderness survival skills.

    Hero Image

    Survival skills are important

    Anyone who spends much time out in nature knows that your situation can change in an instant. A storm can blow in, an injury can occur, an insect can sting, or an animal could attack. What started out as a simple hike can quickly become dangerous.

    I’m not saying any of this to scare you or deter you from spending time outside. None of us really expect our kids (or ourselves) to be thrust into life-threatening situations in the wild–and maybe they never will be! But, as we raise our kids to love being outside, we should also be giving them the tools to face an emergency that could happen outside.

    A level head, an emergency kit, and some basic wilderness survival skills will help them be prepared for the unexpected, both now and throughout their lives. And in the meantime, bushcraft skills are just a lot of fun. Sure, they’re useful in a survival situation. But they’re also a fun challenge for you and your teen to enjoy!

    Wilderness Survival

    The need for survival skills

    Many years ago, wilderness survival skills were necessary for life. It’s hard for us to wrap our 21st-century brains around, but children from past centuries had to acquire survival skills early. They needed to know how to build a fire, to create a shelter, to forage for food—and many of them survived because of those skills.

    Today, although wilderness survival skills aren’t necessarily essential for everyday life, they are still good to know for emergency situations. In an emergency, previously acquired skills can mean the difference between life and death. Many of these skills can be useful in everyday situations as well. And wilderness survival skills provide an outdoors-based challenge for the developing minds and skills of our young adults. Plus, many of them are just fun to learn!

    KnifeSkills

    Building outdoors skills

    My husband’s younger brother was still in his late teens when our two oldest kids were small. Too old to go outside and just play, this favorite uncle still enjoyed gathering up his little sisters and my kids to “play scouts.” They would pack up some supplies and tromp around in the woods, studying nature, playing survival games, and building forts. They all loved and benefited from the hours they spent doing this.

    As kids get older, the way they “play” and spend time outside changes. Our son is thirteen now, and I’ve watched him make this same type of transition from purely imaginative nature play to constructive skill-building outside. Wilderness survival skills have given nature time a purpose and challenge as he’s grown up. It’s given him a reason to spend more time outside (and isn’t that what we all want for our kids, no matter what the age?).

    Survival Skills

    Developing outdoor survival skills is a gradual process

    For our kids, the development of these skills has happened gradually. As they aged and matured, they’d get access to an emergency kit and a pocketknife; they learned fort-building skills and fire safety. As our children express interest in these new challenges, we carefully and gradually introduce the tools and concepts for wilderness survival. There’s no magic age for this. In our family, it continues to vary based on interest and maturity. You know your kids best and can judge whether they’re ready or not. 

    At thirteen, our son is capable and independent with many of these skills. But, he’s not just picking them up right now. His training and experience started very early, working in the woods with his dad and grandpa, and playing with his uncle. He frequently reads woodsman and bushcraft books, and loves to head out to the woods to practice these skills.

    As he and I have collaborated on the material for this article, I’ve honestly been amazed at his knowledge of and passion for all things bushcraft. He’s become very proficient in these skills due to practice, persistence,  and merely spending time outside getting to know, understand and appreciate nature. 

    SurvivalShelter

    Growing maturity with wilderness survival skills

    Each of the wilderness survival skills here will require some level of adult supervision and responsibility, at least initially. Again, as the parent, you know your own children, with their unique abilities and maturity levels. Only you can decide how these skills should look for them. You get to determine what they can handle (and how) based on your own comfort level. 

    For instance, in the beginning, our children are only allowed to use pocketknives with our permission and supervision. When they have demonstrated capability and maturity with a knife, they may be allowed to carry and use it as they see fit. If we find that they ever use this tool unwisely, we put it away until they grow up a little more. We learn from our mistakes, just as they do.

    As parents, our children’s safety is our responsibility. But we also want to see them grow in wisdom and maturity. As they do, it’s amazing to see how a challenge like learning wilderness survival can help them develop and grow.

    KnifeSkills

    Wilderness survival skills for teens and tweens

    If you’re interested in encouraging your teens (or pre-teen) to spend more time outside and learn some valuable lifelong skills in the process, we’re here to help. Here are some wilderness survival skills that perfect for teens and tweens. 

    Make a survival kit

    Making a survival pack is a fun and simple way to begin developing wilderness survival skills. Even a younger child can create a survival kit for a family hike or for a solo adventure like building a fort in your own backyard. It’s a great way to help kids begin to be prepared for the unexpected in nature. A survival pack doesn’t have to be fancy—just a backpack or little pouch with some basic tools and provisions.

    Items you can include in a survival kit:

    • First aid kit (our kids have created their own)
    • Non-perishable snacks
    • Water
    • Flashlight
    • Emergency blanket or rain poncho
    • Rope
    • Compass
    • Knife or multi-tool (depending on age and maturity)
    • Fire-starting tool (also depending on age and maturity)

    I’ve been amazed at what my older kids pull out of their packs sometimes. They’re better than I am about carrying first aid supplies on outings and hikes. I can’t count the times our son has used his survival kit to supply or create something useful when we’re outdoors. When we’re working at our homestead property, I often find him unloading a small cast iron skillet and canned goods from his pack, building a fire, and heating a snack for himself and his sisters. Our girls haven’t reached that stage of independence yet, but I love how thinking ahead helps them be helpful and prepared for different circumstances on our nature adventures.

    Wilderness Survival Kit

    Teaching survival skills to teens (and learning yourself)

    Before we cover some key elements of wilderness survival, I’d like to mention that some bushcraft skills may sound intimidating. In particular, handling sharp tools and starting fires might be scary, especially if they are out of your own comfort zone! They sound even scarier when you consider your child doing them. I am in no way advocating turning your child loose with anything. All of these skills require a learning period, patient instruction, and some maturity. With time and practice, he or she can gain safety and competence. 

    If you’re not comfortable or knowledgeable about these skills, don’t let that stop you. You and your teen can learn together. Letting them see you learn something new is encouraging and shows them that learning a new skill can happen at any age. If you don’t know where (or how) to get started, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance! For instance, if your teen or tween is interested in learning more about safe knife handling, but you’re not comfortable teaching it, consider reaching out to a trusted adult for help. Somewhere in your circle of family and friends, you probably know someone who is a fisherman, a hunter, or a dedicated hiker.

    People with hobbies like these often have a keen interest in wilderness survival skills. Many of them also love to share this knowledge, especially with the next generation. So, if you feel insufficient to teach/supervise any of these skills, look around for someone you trust to help you. And try learning right alongside your teen! You will never regret the time you spend together, discovering new skills and spending time in nature.

    Knife SkillsSurvivalFire

    The Five C’s of wilderness survival

    In Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival, author Dave Canterbury identifies the key elements of survival skills as the Five C’s. Here are the Five C’s of wilderness survival:

    1. cutting tools
    2. combustion
    3. cover
    4. containers
    5. cordage

    Other guides label them in different ways, but we think the Five C’s make a helpful and memorable presentation of these skills. So, with due credit to the author for his outline, we would like to share with you the first three key elements of wilderness survival.

    Wilderness Survival Fire Stick

    1. Cutting tools

    The first C of wilderness survival is a cutting tool. Once again, this is something that may initially require your supervision and participation with your child. But, a sturdy pocketknife, multi-tool, or hatchet is one of the top tools necessary in a wilderness survival situation.

    A knife should be attached to you, worn on a belt, or in a secure pocket. This is the one thing you never want to be without in an emergency. With a knife or other cutting tool, you can create a fire starter, cut materials for fire and for shelter, and recreate almost any other tool you will need to survive. A knife can also be vital in emergency medical situations (cutting bandaging, removing clothing) and rescues (cutting away obstructions or creating other tools to work with).

    In the meantime, gaining skill and competence with a pocketknife or hatchet is a fun challenge for any teen.

    WildernessSurvival Hatchet

    Cutting tool options

    Because a knife is essential for so many areas of wilderness survival, it’s important to own a good one. The Field and Stream Total Knife Manual is a complete guide to any and every kind of knife, its pros and cons, with every style and brand known to this modern world. On our shortlist of most useful knives, though, are these suggestions:

    • Pocketknife: Sturdy, simple, and compact, this knife has a strong blade that locks open, preventing it from accidentally closing on your hand. As a basic survival tool, this knife is adequate and effective for a number of tasks.
    • Multi-tool: A step up from a basic pocketknife, the multi-tool provides a number of useful features in one tool. Although this brand is pricey, the quality and durability of their tools is proven. In our experience, they last forever and work for everything.

    KnifeSkills

    Learning knife safety early

    We live in a rural area where many of our friends and family members carry a pocketknife or multi-tool at all times. A cutting tool is useful for so many tasks in our lifestyle. With that kind of mindset, our kids have asked for pocket knives pretty young.

    When we think they can handle a knife without being a danger to themselves, we let them start using one for some basic whittling or cutting. They’ve had to learn basic safety rules:

    • do not ever cut toward your body,
    • do not move around with an open blade, and
    • no using a knife with other kids close to you.

    Only after we see them demonstrating responsibility and maturity with those guidelines do we consider letting them carry the knife or using it on their own.

    Wilderness Survival Knife Skills

    2. Combustion: tools and skills to make a fire

    Another key element of wilderness survival is fire. Although it might sound a little scary, the skills and tools to create fire are essential in emergency situations. They also come in handy in many everyday situations throughout life. With proper instruction and supervision, your teen or preteen can learn these skills safely and gain efficiency in fire starting.

    Wilderness Survival Fire

    Start with fire safety

    Since we heat our home with wood, as well as burn a lot of outdoor fires, our kids have been exposed to fires and learned safety rules from toddlerhood. Early on, we teach them never to get near a fire, and never to mess with matches or lighters. But, as our son approached his preteen years, he was demonstrating carefulness, capability, and a lot of interest in fire starting. We’ve continued to emphasize fire safety, but allowed him greater responsibility in building and maintaining fires.

    For him, the rules of fire safety are now more focused on choosing a smart location when building a fire, helping his little sisters be careful around the fire, and making sure it is properly contained. It’s also important to know and follow local burning regulations wherever you are. Wilderness survival skills always include being aware, smart, and ethical about your choices.

    Wilderness Survival Fire

    Fire starting skills

    Building a fire in a sheltered area with dry kindling is a great way to start. But wilderness survival takes fire building much farther. If you’re ever in an emergency situation and need a fire, you might not have ideal conditions for starting it. Bushcraft skills teach you how to use the materials you have on hand to create fire for heat, protection, and cooking. It takes practice to learn to build fires with wet materials or without a lighter, but it can be done. And it’s a fun outdoor challenge for a teen to learn!

    Wilderness Survival Skills

    Choose a proper fire location

    To build a safe and efficient fire, find a location that is sheltered from the wind. Scrape away all debris, down to the dirt, in a wide ring around the fire area. If possible, build a stone ring around your fire to help contain it. (Use dry stones, since wet rocks can explode if they’re heated too rapidly!) If there aren’t any stones available, try digging a depression into the dirt or building a small dirt wall around the fire. Practicing wilderness survival skills always includes showing carefulness for the environment surrounding you. This includes keeping the fire contained and controlled.

    Wilderness Survival Feather stick

    Fire starting materials

    Look for small twigs, leaves, or dry grass for fire-starting material. If it has been raining or snowing, try to find an evergreen tree. In wild areas, the lower, dead limbs of evergreen trees haven’t been trimmed away. Sheltered by the overhanging branches, they provide the perfect source for dry fire materials in a wilderness survival situation. If you’re having a hard time finding dry starter material, you can use a knife to shave one end of a dry stick to carve a “feather stick” (pictured above) to help light your fire.  

    Ferrocerium Rod

    Starting the fire and choosing a firestarter

    Ideally, your wilderness survival kit will contain some way to create a spark. A small lighter, waterproof matches, a magnifying glass, or a ferrocerium rod can all serve as fire starters. While some are easier to use and/or more reliable than others, part of the fun of developing survival skills is learning to start a fire with what you have on hand.  I think the dramatic sparks from the ferrocerium rod (shown above) might be the most exciting way to try to start a fire!

    Once you have a flame going, gradually add small bits of dry leaves and twigs. Feed the fire slowly with lightweight materials until the flame is steady and strong. Be careful not to smother the fire or let the wind blow it out! With some patience and wilderness survival skills, you can have a strong fire to provide warmth, light, and protection in almost any situation.

    Wilderness Survival Fire

    3. Cover: shelter in the wilderness

    The third C of wilderness survival is cover. If you’re ever stranded in the woods, injured on a hike, or caught in a storm, you need to be able to take shelter. Survival may depend on you knowing the most efficient way to use the materials around you. This is a great challenge for teens and tweens! Survival skills add a whole new dimension to fort building. 

    First, look around for any natural cover. A cave, a crevice in a hillside, or a ravine can help provide shelter. But sometimes there isn’t a natural cover to be found. If you need to build a simple survival shelter, you can gather materials from around you and build this basic shelter. You need two stakes to drive into the ground, a ridge pole to run between them, and smaller branches to lean against them. The stakes determine the height of the shelter, and the ridgepole its width. 

    Wilderness Survival ShelterSurvival Shelter

    Shelter building basics and tools

    A hatchet really comes in handy for creating the point on the stakes, plus a notch in the top for the ridge pole. You can use the flat edge of the hatch to drive the stakes in or use a rock. Once you have your stakes set and the ridge pole set, lean the smaller branches against the ridge pole as thickly as possible. If there are evergreen trees nearby, evergreen branches make an ideal cover against wind and rain. But part of wilderness survival is learning to use what you can find. In the spring and summer, green leafy branches will also work. In the fall and winter, gather armfuls of fallen leaves to fill in the gaps in the wall.

    The thicker you pile the branches and leaves, the better shelter you will have.  Even dried leaves provide surprisingly good protection from the elements. Being able to build a shelter is one more skill your teen will enjoy learning as he or she gains proficiency in wilderness survival skills!

    Wilderness Survival Shelter

    Practicing wilderness survival skills

    Although all these wilderness survival skills are helpful in an emergency situation, they’re also just a lot of fun to practice throughout life. The basics aren’t hard to learn, and there are many ways to continue to develop better bushcraft skills. From how to light a fire without man-made materials to creating a drinking container out of natural materials, survival skills can present endless new challenges and encourage your kids to spend more time outside.

    So head outside with your teen, and see what skills you can learn together! 

    Is your teen interested in wilderness survival? 

    About the author

    Leslie is an Ohio farm girl and chaser of light, children, and sometimes chickens. She’s a lover of Jesus, wife to her high school sweetheart, and a homeschooling mom of four wild rascals who love the great outdoors as much as she does. As a family, they love hiking, camping, fishing, and just about any outdoor activity. She and her husband are just beginning the process of building a homestead from the ground up, doing most of the work themselves. Leslie has a lifelong obsession with writing and capturing everyday life from behind the lens. Follow along with their homesteading, homeschooling, and everyday adventures on her Instagram account.

    You can find more from Leslie in the following locations:
    Instagram: @c_l_allofus
    Client work: @lalvisphotography
    Leslie’s RWMC posts: