Surviving a Teenager by L.T. Drifter

Surviving a Teenager by L.T. Drifter

We all know the importance of being prepared. One of the hardest things to do with that knowledge is to pass it along to those who do not take our, enthusiasm, for all things outdoors. I like to take my three children out and teach them basic survival skills as soon as the northern Michigan weather eases into spring. I have two boys so they are easy. Fire making, wood gathering, animal track identification, making snares, finding wild edibles, building shelters…they both take to it like old pros. I have given each of them a neck kit on a paracord string including a fire steel, compass, whistle, and the like.

The oldest boy has a neck knife that he likes to carry. The problem is I also have a middle child who is a girl…who doesn’t like being in the dirt. This hasn’t stopped me however, from trying to show her the small things she should know in case anything should happen. I have found the best way is trickery. I will tell her we are going to the store, but take her to the family practice spot. I will let her sit in the van until I get all the prep work done, then pull her out to show her what I’ve done. My wife is convinced it’s because I just want to seem like a prepared man and the daughter is the only one yet impressed by my ability to make fire with no matches or lighter (the boys were both cured of that the first time they were able to do it themselves) and recently I did something I never though I’d do…I purchased a designer-esque purse and converted it into a fashionista B.O.B. for my girl. She has the same equipment as the boys, except in place of the knife she has pepper spray. It is a concession I made because I cannot personally escort her on dates with a shotgun.

Last fall we did spend a great weekend together constructing a lean to shelter and I actually got her to sit on it. I went to take a picture and she shot me the “look” so I passed. I quiz them all daily on what to do in certain situations, and we are building packs for all the kids. The daughter won’t use digital camo though, so I have to see if Coach makes anything outdoorsy. It is a lot of hassle to get her to go along, but I have noticed that she is picking up on some things. When I picked her up from the movies on Friday, I heard her explaining the merits of her paracord bracelet to the hooligan she had gone with.

Kids are going to make their own choices to listen to what we try and teach them, but we have to be persistent and getting information out for them to choose from.