Naturally confident and curious kids often want to be exploring the world around them.It can be challenging to know what exactly our kids are capable of and how much to allow them to do on their own. Being a confident kid is more than just feeling confident. Confidence happens when kids and parents know what can be done in a challenging situation should it arise.

This is where Hoagy’s Outdoor Survival Skills can help, and here are some reasons we think Hoagy’s Confident Kids class is worth taking!

Training will…

1. Help kids understand the world around them and how to explore in a safe way.

2. Allow parents and kids to learn what skills they are comfortable performing and where practice is required. 

3. Provide an opportunity for healthy connection between parents, kids and a group of others who are exploring outdoors.

4. Teach skills to stay safe when using a knife and fire.

5. Provide instruction and practice with knots, plus building a basic shelter to keep out of the elements.

6. Teach awareness of surroundings, compass use, how to find landmarks, and what to do if you become disoriented (lost) while exploring.

I like getting sticks. – Rowynn

I like making forts. – Persephone

Making the best of outdoor adventures with kids

When heading out for any length of time in the great outdoors with kids, there are a few things we can do to make it an enjoyable and successful time.

1. Consider your expectations of your kids. If we have high expectations that can’t be met there will be a lot of frustration. Take a moment to consider what they are truly capable of doing. Then challenge them to do what they are capable of and maybe a bit more.

2. Take care of basic needs. We all struggle when we are hungry, tired, thirsty, or ignored. Let’s help our kids succeed by meeting their needs with good nutritious snacks, water, rest time, and our attention.

3. Embrace your own curiosity and a good attitude towards the day. Your own positive mental attitude (PMA – see our previous newsletter) will impact your entire day no matter how your kids are behaving. Hopefully a good PMA from yourself will also encourage your kids to take on the kind of thinking – but be careful not to expect a perfect attitude.

4. Involve them in what you are doing and let them try new things. Even if it takes longer to accomplish, they will be more engaged when they are able to practice and do the activity.

5. Find the line between encouraging them to try and pushing them to do things they are not comfortable with. We would like our kids to enjoy snowshoeing with us, however, they really don’t enjoy it. So they follow us with just their boots and still get outside. Forcing them wasn’t helping the situation, and yet we still ask them from time to time if they want to try snowshoeing again.

6. Kids are going to make mistakes. Let’s remember we also make mistakes every day. Make room for empathy and understanding before you try to make it into a teaching moment. Once they are calm and ready you can move into teaching what we can learn from the mistake.   

There are so many good things that can come from developing outdoor survival skills. We hope this has encouraged you and your family to get outside and explore!

Let us know if there was something in this newsletter that was helpful or if there is something you want more information about. 

Until next time,

Hoagy