Survivor Camping Skills for Kids

Preparation

Teaching children the importance of preparation is key as a survivor camping skill. Before going on a camping trip, make a list of all the tools and equipment you will need: compass, matches, cooking supplies, tent, sleeping bag, ample amounts of water, cooler, backpacks, blankets and other items you will bring along. You can have your child make a list of everything she thinks you will need, then compare it to your list. Having her write out the items she missed should reinforce their importance.

Making a safe campfire is an essential skill for cooking and heating while outdoors. You can show your child how to dig a small pit and surround it with rocks, and then to find small and large pieces of firewood. Lay a foundation of tinder and place the smaller wood pieces on top in a crisscross pattern. Have your child light the fire with a match, using his body to block the wind from blowing it out, then add bigger wood pieces as the fire catches. Your child should know to keep flammable items away from the fire and to put it out with water when finished.

Show your child how to pick out food for a camping trip -- dried, powdered and canned foods are optimal. If taking perishable foods, you should stress to your child that keeping cold foods cold with gel packs or other frozen items is important to keep items fresh. If you cannot bring a sufficient amount of water, you can show your child how to boil water over a campfire in a pot to kill bacteria, use a water purification tablet or put the water through a water filter.

Aside from making fire, building a temporary shelter can be key to survival if caught without a tent and can be taught as a camping activity. Find a suitable natural structure to act as a wall, such as a large rock or fallen tree. Have your child help you find branches that are about 5 feet long and lean them close together at a 45-degree angle against the wall until it is about 6 feet across. Your child can then cover the leaned branches in a layer of leaves followed by a layer of small branches to help waterproof the lean-to shelter.