Welcome To Outdoor Adventures!
Greetings from the teachers of Outdoor Adventures: Mark Larson and Jesseca Fusco! We are so excited to be doing this class again this year. Josh Fusco, a returning student, is helping out as a teaching assistant. We will try to keep up with this web page daily after a bit of a late start.
Day 1: June 15
Our first day was full of introductions to each other and the curriculum. We learned how to tie our first knot: the Square Knot. Also, students learned the STOP principle, which is a key part of getting rescued in a survival situation. Then, we learned a quick and easy way to store rope that can be used in the outdoors. Using the Cobra Knot, we made Survival Bracelets out of Paracord. This method allows someone to easily carry around six feet of rope with them in the outdoors without it getting tangled up and unusable.
Day 2: June 16
Today we assembled our Survival Packs. These are easy to carry items that are must-haves in a survival situation. Inside each pack are items that can be used to start fires, apply first-aid, build shelter, hold water, and signal for help. Over the course of the next few weeks, students will learn how to use each item in the packs to help them in a survival situation. We first explored self first-aid with tips on how to treat or avoid injuries, illnesses and exposure to the elements. Our daily knot was the Timber Hitch.
Day 3: June 19
To start off our second week, we did a Hypothermia Exercise. In order to experience what happens in harsh conditions, students were challenged to fish 5 coins out of a cooler of water without looking. They were timed to see how fast they could accomplish it. Then, we challenged them to do the same exercise in a cooler of ice water. They all agreed that they noticed a difference in accuracy and dexterity with the colder water. After snack, we learned how to light a fire with a cotton ball, Vaseline and a metal match. Each student succeeded; great job everyone! The Half- Hitch was today's knot. We will put these knot-tying skills to the test tomorrow.
Day 4: June 20
Today, we learned how to build an emergency shelter with rope, sticks and a tarp. Students were challenged to a competition in two teams to see who could erect their shelter the fastest. The winners of the competition had to build the shelter using the Timber Hitch and two Half-Hitches, knots we learned previously. Kyle, Hailea, and Joshua were the winners: congratulations! We also learned why whistles are a better tool for signalling for help and students were given a demonstration of how to use multiple tools to create shelters including garbage bags, insulated blankets and, of course, tarps. We also practiced another way to start a fire using steel wool and a battery. The Bowline Knot was the daily knot.
Day 5: June 21
We have started our fishing unit! We learned how to tie the Improved Clinch Knot, which is very useful for attaching hooks, jigs, or leaders to your fishing rigs. Students also made Pop Can Fishing Rigs to practice making an easy hand line if they do not have a fishing pole. In preparation for tomorrow's extended day, we readied our Tin Foil Burgers for lunch. We are so excited to go to Wild River State Park tomorrow. Remember to wear comfortable shoes for walking and bring whatever gear you need for the weather!
Day 6: June 22
Outdoor Adventures made a successful trip to the Wild River State Park today! As we arrived at the McElroy Visitor Center, Mike, a Park Ranger, told us that they had just scared away a black bear so that it would be safe for us to learn. How invigorating/scary! Mike was kind enough to teach the students about two different types of navigation in the woods, as well as a popular sport called GeoCaching. First, we learned how to orient a map using a compass and students walked a few trails to find different marked areas on the State Park map. Then, we learned how to use a compass to walk in a straight line if you are lost. This skill is important because many people find themselves walking in circles when they are trying to leave the wilderness. After Compass Orienteering, students learned how to use GPS units in the woods and as a tool to mark different areas if they want to get back to them. The GPS units are also used in GeoCaching and the students completed a short course within walking distance of the Visitor Center. From there, we hiked the Old Logging Trail to the Picnic Area where we started fires to cook our burgers. Students enjoyed the shelter of the picnic area as well as s'mores and watermelon.
Day 7: June 23
We are back to our fishing unit after our adventure at the Wild River State Park. We learned how to tie the Surgeon's Loop, another great knot for attaching hooks or jigs to your fishing line. Students were taught how to match up line, reels and poles to fit any fishing need. Fishing stories were shared as well as a demonstration of different lines, reels, poles and bait used for fly fishing, bait casting, and ice fishing. Students are asked to bring in their own fishing gear in preparation for our fishing trip to Lindstrom Beach Park. (Don't worry if you don't have anything, we have enough for everyone!) Also, students MUST have some sort of eye-protection with them on Monday and Tuesday. Certified Fly Casting Instructor, Dan Brown, will be doing a clinic for us on Monday and we do not want any injuries, especially to your eyes. Students also learned how to utilize a mirror or a CD to signal for help, as the sun prevailed after snack time for a time. We changed the polishing grit on our rock polisher as well today. Next week, we will see how the rocks have changed from their rough beginning to their finishing polish.
Day 8: June 26
We give a great big "thank you" to Dan Brown today! As stated on Friday, Mr. Brown was kind enough to come in to do a clinic on fly casting for the students. Fly casting is defined as using a long, flexible pole and a weighted line to deliver an essentially weightless fly to its target. Most of the students have had experience with bait casting and the like but have never touched a fly rod. Dan Brown helped us change that. Each student was allowed to practice casting fly line after a demonstration from our Certified Fly Casting Instructor. He provided all of the rods and reels for the clinic which meant that the students each were able to cast at the same time. It was a great day with the perfect weather to practice casting outside.
Day 9: June 27
Our students are extremely lucky to be able to take two different trips during the class. We already completed our first one to Wild River State Park on the Extended Day. Today, we get to go on our second, a fishing trip to Lindstrom Beach Park. Students brought their fishing gear and after a stop at Frankie's Bait Shop for a last minute gear pick up, we arrived at South Lindstrom Lake. Students partnered up and spread out along the shore and on the dock. Josh was our master fisherman; he caught fifteen fish in the short time we had available. We are excited for our fish fry tomorrow. A few kind people donated some of their own fish to our cook out. We had a quick lunch at the Park: hot dogs, chips, and Dirt Cake. We are ready for our filleting lesson tomorrow.
Day 10: June 28
Today was our fish fry! Each student learned how to fillet a pan fish and got to do their own. Then, they learned how to prepare the fillets for cooking. We used flour, egg and milk wash, and seasoned bread crumbs as the breading for our fish. Students practiced their rope tying skills as they waited for the fish to be ready. We provided fish fillets, macaroni and cheese, and the leftover Dirt Cake from yesterday. All students were invited to try fish, even if they did not think they would like it. After lunch, we quizzed the students on their survival, first aid, and fishing knowledge. Tomorrow, we are going to start our gold prospecting and rock hunting unit.