by Funk » Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:41 pm
I have never had much use for glowsticks and they do seem a little cost inhibitive. Moving at night through trails is always a bad idea and last resort. If you're staying the night, it's maybe better to spend the little cash on some cheapo flashlights. It doesn't need to be one per person or anything, but a couple being handy will be good for bathroom runs or things that go bump in the night.
I did find a cool little survival kit type item at a local discount store called Ollies. Cheapo chinese stuff thats plastic made but 2 flashlights and 2 compasses all for 2 bucks. Figured i would see them at walmart or kmart sometime but i haven't yet. Its a squeeze dynamo flashlight and has a combination whistle/thermometer/compass/magnifying glass kit on a keychain. Maybe you could find something like this. Though the mercury thermometer does kind of worry me if it was in my pocket, but im weird like that.
Maybe do the needle in the leaf with some water trick to teach them to make their own compass. If the sky is clear, showing how to tell direction with the stars and with the sun is pretty handy. Wear a watch with hands and show them that directional trick too.
Trash bags have been pointed out and its a great idea. They can be made into a rainsuit, a shelter, used to carry water, make a float for crossing water, and just extra insulation for cold nights. They can be ripped into strips, rolled, and used for makeshift bindings for a shelter. They seem to very handy for holding trash as well.
Teach them about losing all your heat through you head area and to the ground and ways to combat it. If you build a shelter try and make it a big one for a fun group project but remind them that a personal shelter should be small and tight.
If it is windy make a fire pit with a vent. Dig a little in the ground, heap earth and rocks around it and dig a vent trench to provide oxygen to it. Its a handy fire to know and it keeps flying embers to a minimum. Show them how to find dry firewood with standing dead stuff.
Show them the best places to find water, how to follow animal trails to it and the safest method of getting the cleaner stuff. Maybe how to make a solar still with a hole, trash bag and something to catch the water in.
Teaching them that keeping a cool head, not overdoing it physically and to remain alert to hazards and their surroundings is the most important and the hardest to teach. Try and recite some survival tales to them. "This guy in Utah was lost in the mountains for weeks and he used..." What he did wrong and what he did right sort of thing. If they know others have been able to do it poorly and still live, they wont be so intimidated if they're ever lost.
Remind them about marking trails and paths and keeping tabs on not only where you are going, but where you have been. If you never get lost in the woods, the survival stuff isn't as important. Murphy will always find a way to screw you over of course so we prepare for the worst, but prevention is better than recovery.
If I was making a cheap lightweight kit up for others and was maximizing dollars with bulk type items Id go with...
Trash Bags - already covered
Fishing line - 30 lb test or so for snares, tying stuff, and of course fish
Aluminum foil - Cooking and water boiling, many uses, handy and cheap
Rope - ditto
Cheap compass - again if you can find them
Water bottles - you have
Knives - the best tool in the world, cost prohibitive as gifts but maybe they can byok
Bandages - for the knives. sounds like you have this covered but wouldnt hurt for them to have a couple band-aids to help prevent nicks and scratches from becoming infected. A couple disposable alcohol swabs maybe too.
Bic lighter - Cheap, easy fire
Fish hooks - maybe skip these, crazy dangerous at times
Duct tape - You have that covered
Snickers Marathon Protein Bar (Caramel Nut Rush) Omg they're tasty!
Space blanket - You have covered
Maps - Make extra copies, they're almost free, Cover in clear tape for cheapo water resistance
Chlorine Tabs - water purification
All i can think of for now. Just remember to check the weather first, charge your cellphone, pack yourself a decent bob and extra food if needed to take along and let others know where you are going and when you are returning. Teaching the youngsters is a great thing, good job and have fun!
A wind blowing smoke to the north is under the influence of a southerly air mass. Smoke blowing south is being pushed by wind from the north. Any perditions of weather I guess will be up to experience of the observer based on the location. I personally believe in the ring around the moon trick.
Little song birds start to act up before and after a storm moves in. During the winter I have observed chickadees increasing activity before a cold snap breaks even though I couldn’t feel the warm air move in.
