My husband and five sons are involved in a program that is similar to Boy Scouts that is called Royal Rangers. They have an extension group called FCF (Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship). If there is such a group in your area, I highly recommend it. This coming weekend my dh and two oldest sons will be attending the first part of their orientation into this program.

http://royalrangers.ag.org/fcf/index.cfm

I am busy collecting the required items that they must bring. I thought you might be interested in a portion of the list.

• New Testament
• Pencil
• Sharp Pocket Knife
• Matches
• Poncho
• Can w/lid for charring cloth
• Flint & Steel
• Notebook
• Candle
• Sleeping Bag
• 100% cotton patches
• Ground Cloth
• Warm clothes including camo pants and hiking boots
• Canteen
• Mess kit including utensils, cup, pan, bowl.

   

  Later, if they make it through the initiation which for one thing requires no talking for 24 hours they will begin to gather "Period Correct" clothing, equipment, weapons, tools, etc... They will be learning how to make do with what a Frontiersman would have had. I am so excited that they are learning these skills and feel they will be better prepared to face whatever life throws at them.