Author: Chris Chisholm

Bow Drill Fire Making Kits – Directions, Tips, Tricks, Pitfalls & Advice

Posted on By Chris Chisholm 1 Comment on Bow Drill Fire Making Kits – Directions, Tips, Tricks, Pitfalls & Advice

Wolf Camp director Chris Chisholm details traditional fire-making by friction using the bow-drill method. Learning this method alleviates dependency on manufactured fire starters, ensuring a constant ability to create fire in adverse conditions. Key tips include maintaining proper form, selecting appropriate materials, and positioning to maximize efficiency. Beginners should practice with a prefab kit before advancing to natural materials. Advanced skills involve crafting kits from nature and utilizing natural cordage. Continue Reading Bow Drill Fire Making Kits – Directions, Tips, Tricks, Pitfalls & Advice

Posts on Traditional Technology & Wilderness Craft, Posts on Wilderness Survival

Best Way to Make Fire: The Bed-Pillow-Blanket Method vs Tipi Fire Construction

Posted on By Chris Chisholm 2 Comments on Best Way to Make Fire: The Bed-Pillow-Blanket Method vs Tipi Fire Construction

This article trains you on fire-making techniques, emphasizing four essential requirements: fuel, air, shelter, and ignition using matches, fire steel or lighter. Two primary methods are key for creating fires: the Bed, Pillow & Blanket Method for quick setups; and the Giant Tipi Fire for the most challenging weather conditions. Continue Reading Best Way to Make Fire: The Bed-Pillow-Blanket Method vs Tipi Fire Construction

Posts on Leadership, Teaching & Parenting Outdoors, Posts on Traditional Technology & Wilderness Craft, Posts on Wilderness Survival, Posts Reviewing Outdoor Books & Gear

Best Emergency Wilderness Survival Shelter – The Wolf Camp BIVOUAC BED & EAGLE’S NEST and Bivi Bag instead of Debris Hut

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The debris hut, popularized through the Boy Scouts and survival schools, is ineffective for most emergency situations due to its impractical requirements, including time, skills, physical ability, and materials. Instead, we recommend the Bivouac Bed, or Bivy Bed, as a more viable emergency shelter that can be created quickly under duress. It emphasizes essential steps like sheltering out of the wind, and insulating against the ground. The Eagle’s Nest is even better for extended situations. Continue Reading Best Emergency Wilderness Survival Shelter – The Wolf Camp BIVOUAC BED & EAGLE’S NEST and Bivi Bag instead of Debris Hut

Posts on Hunting, Fishing & Gathering, Posts on Leadership, Teaching & Parenting Outdoors, Posts on Traditional Technology & Wilderness Craft, Posts on Wilderness Survival

Emergency & Wilderness Survival – Tips, Suggestions & Advice

Posted on By Chris Chisholm 1 Comment on Emergency & Wilderness Survival – Tips, Suggestions & Advice

In emergencies, individuals often panic due to a biological “freeze, fight, or flee” response. A crucial step during panic is to pause for 20 minutes to calm down and reassess the situation. The “Law of Fours,” helps us identify essential needs in survival: good air within 4 minutes, temperature regulation within 4 hours, potable water within 4 days, and substantial food within 4 weeks. Continue Reading Emergency & Wilderness Survival – Tips, Suggestions & Advice

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Hiking & Backpacking Leadership – Outdoor Risk Management

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The content emphasizes the importance of outdoor leaders, particularly those in their 20s, recognizing the incomplete development of their frontal lobes and the habits to engage them. It stresses mindful decision-making to prevent risky situations, highlighting that young leaders can still make wise choices. The piece outlines various risks including water hazards, falls, and more, advocating thorough risk management and communication plans. It addresses safety protocols for transportation, incidents, and equipment to prevent accidents while accomplishing outdoor educational goals. Continue Reading Hiking & Backpacking Leadership – Outdoor Risk Management

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Keep On Keeping On

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day serves as a reflection on the struggles for justice in America. The author of this article recalls a visit to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, highlighting its inspirational design and Dr. King’s somber pose, symbolizing ongoing challenges today. The text addresses concerning trends in the U.S., including the banning of discussions on racial history in some educational institutions. Additionally, the author commends the Boldt Decision, which affirmed Native American rights, and emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and advocating for the freedoms we enjoy due to past activism. Continue Reading Keep On Keeping On

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Teaching Nature Part II of II – Learning Styles, Age Considerations: Preparing & Leading Classes, Camps, Lessons & Programs

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This article shares effective teaching strategies across age groups in outdoor education, grounded in a philosophy of using diverse learning styles — head, heart, and hands. It shares methods that consider developmental stages, with tailored approaches for young children, pre-teens, teens, and adults. Article author Chris Chisholm explains how to create positive relationships with parents, offering guidance for managing their expectations and emotions along with their children. Creative preparation and structured lesson plans bring successful teaching, with a balance of activities and clear communication of rules to engage students in a supportive learning environment. Continue Reading Teaching Nature Part II of II – Learning Styles, Age Considerations: Preparing & Leading Classes, Camps, Lessons & Programs

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Teaching Nature Part I of II – Outdoor Education Tips & Tricks: Prep, Safety, Discipline & Building Community

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The essence of teaching at Wolf Camp & School of Natural Science lies in effective preparation and building community among students with daily rituals. Instructors must prep based on experience, whether the subject is a first-time lesson or repeated sessions. Creating safe physical and emotional environments is paramount, highlighting the importance of respect, collaboration, and risk management. This article shows teachers how to implement structured behavior management techniques, acknowledging diverse student needs, such as mental health and cultural sensitivity. Wolf Camp director Chris Chisholm emphasizes how a personal feeling of continual learning is key to successful teaching, making a lasting impact on students’ lives. He shares several “tips and tricks of the trade” gained over 30 years of teaching in the classroom and outdoors all summer. Continue Reading Teaching Nature Part I of II – Outdoor Education Tips & Tricks: Prep, Safety, Discipline & Building Community

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Preventing Homesickness during Summer Camp, College & Study Abroad Programs

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This article highlights effective homesickness management strategies at Wolf Camp and beyond, including traditions and activities that foster bonding. It discusses the importance of choosing appropriate camp experiences for children, and provides insights on handling homesickness, emphasizing emotional readiness and communication. It also suggests that overcoming severe homesickness typically requires time, with a recommendation for longer camp durations to facilitate adjustment, rather than short camp experiences which would be remembered only as a time of emotional stress without opportunity to grow beyond feelings of homesickness. Continue Reading Preventing Homesickness during Summer Camp, College & Study Abroad Programs

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Outdoor Summer Camps May Be Key For Modern Childhood Development

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Summer camps have an incredibly positive impact on children, especially in today’s digital world. Camps provide unique experiences and promote holistic learning, including arts and outdoor activities often lacking in traditional education. Camps foster essential emotional skills like attachment, boundaries, and creative expression, which contribute to social strength and healthy relationships. The summer camp experience helps children truly mature, learn self-regulation, and develop joy through various expressive activities. Ultimately, kids fortunate enough to attend good summer camps achieve more personal development and well-being than perhaps anywhere else. Continue Reading Outdoor Summer Camps May Be Key For Modern Childhood Development

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