VICTORIA SCOTT ACTIVE PROGRAM – “Survival of the Fittest”
Active Program General Introduction
Lost in a shadowy jungle. Stranded at sea. Crossing a blistering desert. Trudging through snowdrifts. As teens follow
protagonist Tella Holloway through the perilous world created by Victoria Scott Fire & Flood and Salt & Stone, they can’t
help but picture themselves in her place. Would they be able to survive the wilderness? In this program, teens will learn
basic survival skills that would come in handy should they get lost in the wilderness without a Pandora companion.
Program Title
Survival of the Fittest
Activity 1 Introduction
Survival Training: Jungle Course
The first three activities of this program are survival-training sessions, followed by the final activity, a Survival Challenge
competition. The activities can be run over the course of a single week, or could be spread out over several weeks.
For the Jungle Course activity, you will show participants why you should always purify water before drinking it and
provide a hands-on demonstration of how to build a warm shelter.
Activity 1 Detailed Description:
The set up for this even will require at least two tables, one for each station. If you have a large group of participants,
you may need more space.
Water Station: At this table, you will need three gallons of distilled water, a stack of small disposable cups, scratch
paper, and pencils. In one gallon of water, mix in just enough salt so that you can taste it, but not see it. Using sugar, do
the same with the second gallon. Leave the third gallon as plain water. Label the gallons A, B, and C.
To begin this activity, pass out three cups to each participant. Remind them that normally they should never drink or eat
something if they don’t know exactly what is in it. Pour a little water from each gallon into their cups. Ask them to
inspect the water and try to figure out which one is plain water and guess what each will taste like. They can write their
predictions on the scratch paper provided.
After they try each cup of water, they can discuss if they were right or wrong and how it relates to pollutants in water
found in nature. Surface water from streams and ponds must be purified by boiling before drinking. You can pass out
this guide from the Center for Disease Control as a guide:
https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/pdf/drinking/Backcountry_Water_Treatment.pdf
Shelter Station: At this table, you will need several small boxes (shoe boxes) filled with dirt and a variety of sticks, leaves,
grass, and mulch. You may want to put a tarp under the table to make clean-up easier. Optionally, you can also provide
dollar store dolls (“Barbie”-sized) for participants to build their shelters around.
Using the steps found in this guide http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-Survival-Shelter/?ALLSTEPS , demonstrate
how to build a miniature debris hut inside their box. Stress the importance of the keeping the shelters small. If a shelter
is too large, it won’t contain body heat as well. Depending on how many participants you have, you may want to have
them team up. After their shelters are done, they can test the shelter’s durability by waving a sheet of paper over the
top to simulate wind.
Activity 1 Books to Display
Wild Edible Plants of Texas: A Pocket Guide to the Identification, Collection, Preparation, and Use of 60 Wild Plants of
the Lone Star State by Charles W. Kane 978-0977133390
Wilderness Survival Handbook by Michael Pewtherer
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Activity 1 Supply List
3 gallons distilled water
Salt
Sugar
Small disposable cups
Scratch paper
Pencils
Small boxes
Dirt (potting soil)
Sticks (collected from tree trimmings)
Leaves, grass, mulch, etc.
Cheap “Barbie” type dolls
Activity 1 Resources for Teens, Teachers & Librarians
Center for Disease Control Factsheet
https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/pdf/drinking/Backcountry_Water_Treatment.pdf
Instructables – Build a Survival Shelter http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-Survival-Shelter/?ALLSTEPS
National Park Service – Is The Water Safe? https://www.nps.gov/teachers/classrooms/is-the-water-safe.htm
National Park Service - Olympic National Park - Wilderness Sanitation & Water Treatment
https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/wilderness-sanitation.htm
Field and Stream - Seven Primitive Survival Shelters That Could Save Your Life
http://www.fieldandstream.com/photos/gallery/survival/shelter/2006/10/seven-primitive-survival-shelters-could-saveyour-life/?image=0
Foraging Texas http://www.foragingtexas.com/
Activity 2 Introduction
Survival Training: Water Course
For the Water Course activity, participants will learn how to tie three basic knots and how to navigate if they are lost. If
you have an outdoor space available and a sunny day, you can do the program outside and give a practical
demonstration of the shadow stick method for navigation.
Activity 2 Detailed Description of Activity
[Outdoor option: If you have an outdoor space available, you can give an actual demonstration of the shadow stick
method for navigating. Drive a straight stick or stake vertically into the ground. Ask a participant to find the tip of the
stick’s shadow on the ground and mark it. Continue on with the knot-tying activity and the rest of the navigation activity.
At the end of the program, ask another participant to find the tip again and mark the new spot. The invisible line
between the two marks is the east-west line, with the first mark indicating west.]
For the knot-tying activity, participants will learn to tie a square, clove hitch, and bowline knot. This website provides
easy to understand color instructions: http://www.wildernesscollege.com/camping-knots.html.
Pair up participants and give each pair two pieces of paracord or similar rope. To make it easier to practice, the two
pieces of rope should be different colors and about 2 feet in length. If you feel confident in your knot-tying skills, you can
demonstrate each knot and give one-on-one assistance to each pair as needed. Otherwise, you can print pages 5 (square
knot), 8 (bowline), and 10 (clove hitch) of the Army Mountain Warfare School Knot Guide PDF
http://www.benning.army.mil/infantry/amws/content/pdf/knot%20guide.pdf for participants to follow. Encourage
partners to help each other if they get stuck. Give the participants enough time for each to successfully master all three
knots.
For the next part of the Water Course, participants will learn how to find true north if they are lost at sea without a
compass. (Prior to the start of the program, put a star shape in the middle of the room. If possible, you can hang it from
the ceiling, but otherwise, just placing it on the ground will work.) Ask the participants to spread out around the room.
Then ask them to walk to the star. Once they have all met at the star, you can explain that that is how navigating by the
North Star (Polaris) works. Unlike the other stars in the sky, the North Star does not appear to move, so it can always be
used to find true north. If people all over the northern hemisphere (this doesn’t work in the southern) all traveled
toward the North Star, they would eventually meet in the same location. You can pass out copies of this PDF to explain
to participants how they can find the North Star http://folwell.mpls.k12.mn.us/uploads/steering_by_the_stars.pdf.
The next navigation strategy, the Shadow Stick Method, unfortunately won’t work if you are adrift at sea, but it’s
effective in almost every other situation, as long as there is sunlight. If you are running this program outside, follow the
above “Outdoor Option” instructions. Otherwise, you can use a straight stick and a flashlight to demonstrate. Ask a
participant to hold the stick vertically on the ground. Shine the flashlight overhead and ask someone to mark the tip of
the stick’s shadow with a piece of scrap paper. Move the flashlight overhead to a new position, and ask someone else to
mark the new spot. The invisible line between the two marks is the east-west line, with the first mark indicating west.
Activity 2 Books to Display
Knots: The Complete Visual Guide by Des Pawson
Paracord! by Todd Mikkelsen
The Field Guide to Knots: How to Identify, Tie, and Untie Over 80 Essential Knots for Outdoor Pursuits by Bob Holtzman
Paracord Outdoor Gear Projects by Joel Hooks
The Unofficial Hunger Games Wilderness Survival Guide by Creek Stewart
The Raft by S.A. Bodeen
The River by Gary Paulsen
Activity 2 Supply List
Paracord or similar rope (2 colors - 2 feet of each color per 2 participants)
Straight stick (ex. dowel rod, wooden stake)
Flashlight
Star shape
Printed copies – Army Mountain Warfare School Knot Guide PDF (pg. 5, 8, 10)
http://www.benning.army.mil/infantry/amws/content/pdf/knot%20guide.pdf
Printed copies – Folwell Performing Arts Magnet: Steering by the Stars
http://folwell.mpls.k12.mn.us/uploads/steering_by_the_stars.pdf
Activity 2 Resources for Teens, Teachers & Librarians
Army Mountain Warfare School Knot Guide PDF
http://www.benning.army.mil/infantry/amws/content/pdf/knot%20guide.pdf
Folwell Performing Arts Magnet: Steering by the Stars http://folwell.mpls.k12.mn.us/uploads/steering_by_the_stars.pdf
Alderleaf Wilderness College - Camping Knots http://www.wildernesscollege.com/camping-knots.html
Natural Navigator - How to Navigate Using the Stars http://www.naturalnavigator.com/find-your-way-using/stars
Activity 3 Introduction
Survival Training: Snow & Desert Course
For the Snow & Desert Course activity, participants will learn about the different types of clothing needed for hiking in
hot and cold temperatures, as well as some simple first aid information.
Activity 3 Detailed Description
At the beginning of the event, dip part of a cotton shirt and a polyester shirt
each in water and wring them out. Ask the participants which shirt they think
will dry faster. Lay the shirts out flat on a table and continue on with the rest of
the activities.
For the next activity, you will need to print and cut out the clothes on page one
of the provided Dressing in Layers handout. You can make a copy for each
participant or have them work in teams. Ask participants to decide which clothes should be work for hiking in cold and
warm weather. After they have finished sorting the clothes, they can discuss their results. If you were able to find
examples of the various types of clothes, bring them out and pass them around for everyone to see as you discuss them.
The next activity will demonstrate how some fabrics “wick” moisture away from the body. Fill cups with a small amount
of water. Ask participants to add drops of food coloring and stir. Then, they will dip the tip of the candle wick into the
water and watch as the water travels up the candle wick. Explain that fabric like cotton absorbs water into the individual
fibers and stays wet longer, while fabrics like merino wool and polyester wick away the moisture. It is better to wear
inner layers that will dry quickly.
Next, participants will learn about the symptoms and treatment for hypothermia, frostbite, and dehydration. Print
copies of infographic at https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/hypothermia.html and the PDF at
https://americanhiking.org/resources/dehydration/ for each participant. Read and discuss the information as a group.
Last, return to the shirts that you dipped in water at the beginning of the event. Pass the shirts around and let everyone
feel them. Talk about which one is more dry and why they think that is.
Activity 3 Books to Display
Brian’s Winter by Gary Paulsen
Survivor Kid: A Practical Guide to Wilderness Survival by Denise Long
The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Extreme Junior Edition by David Borgenicht
Activity 3 Supply List
Copies of the Dressing in Layers handout
Cotton t-shirt
Polyester t-shirt (ex. Under Armor)
Small cups or glasses
Food coloring
Spoons or stirring sticks
Candle wicks (cut into 4 inch pieces)
Samples warm and cold weather hiking clothes (optional)
Activity 3 Activity Resources
Dressing in Layers handout PDF
Activity 3 Resources for Teens, Teachers & Librarians
National Park Service – Dress for Winter https://www.nps.gov/teachers/classrooms/drewin.htm
REI – Layering Basics https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/layering-basics.html
Center for Disease Control – Hypothermia https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/hypothermia.html
Center for Disease Control – Frostbite https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/frostbite.html
American Hiking Society – Dehydration https://americanhiking.org/resources/dehydration/
Activity 4 Introduction
Survival Challenge
Now that teens have learned some basic survival skills, they are ready to put that information to the test with a friendly
competition.
Detailed Description of Activity 4:
The Survival Challenge is divided up into three portions: Layer Up, Speed Knots, and Debris Hut Build. Teens will
participate in pairs.
Layer Up: For this part of the challenge, one member of each team will race to pile on and remove layers of clothes. Each
pair should be given a pile of clothes (in size XL if possible) including: t-shirt, pants, socks, fleece jacket, water-resistant
jacket, hat, sunglasses, and gloves. It’s not important that you provide these exact items. Just make sure you have
similar selection of clothes for each team. Participants will need to remove their shoes before you start.
Once you say, “Go!” one member of each pair will race to put on all of the articles of clothing. Once they have
everything on at least partially (ex. pants don’t need to be pulled all the way up, jackets don’t need to be buttoned),
they’ll race to remove the clothes and pass them to their partners to put on. The partners will put on all articles of
clothing, and then race to remove them. The first team to finish will receive 5 points, the next team 3 points.
Speed Knots: For the next part of the challenge, teams must race to correctly tie three knots: a square knot, clove hitch
knot, and bowline knot. Give each team three pieces of rope and instructions (pages 5, 8, & 10
www.benning.army.mil/infantry/amws/content/pdf/knot%20guide.pdf). The first team to correctly tie all three knots
will receive 5 points, the next team 3 points.
Debris Hut Build: For the last challenge, teams will compete to build the most durable survival shelter. Provide each
team with the same debris hut supplies from Activity 1. Give each team 10-15 minutes to build their mini shelters. Once
time is up, you will test the strength of each by dropping rocks on top. Starting with small rocks, drop them one at a time
from a distance of about 5 inches. Progressively drop larger and larger rocks until each shelter breaks. Count the number
of rocks it took to break each shelter. The team with the shelter that took the largest number of rocks to be destroyed
will receive 10 points. The next team will receive 7.
Add up all of the points. The team with the most points wins! If there is a tie, you will choose a winner based on your
impression of their overall performance. The winning team will receive copies of Victoria Scott’s Fire & Flood and Salt &
Stone.
Activity 4 Books to Display
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Maze Runner by James Dashner
Scorched by Mari Mancusi
The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
Activity 4 Supply List
Clothes: t-shirt, pants, socks, fleece jacket, water-resistant jacket, hat, sunglasses, and gloves
Paracord or similar rope (2 colors - 2 feet of each color per 2 participants)
Printed copies – Army Mountain Warfare School Knot Guide PDF (pg. 5, 8, 10)
http://www.benning.army.mil/infantry/amws/content/pdf/knot%20guide.pdf
Small boxes
Dirt (potting soil)
Sticks (collected from tree trimmings)
Leaves, grass, mulch, etc.
Rocks
Activity 4 Incentives
Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott (2 copies)
Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott (2 copies)
Activity 4 Activity Resources
Survival of the Fittest flyer PDF
Activity 4 Resources for Teens, Teachers & Librarians
Army Mountain Warfare School Knot Guide
http://www.benning.army.mil/infantry/amws/content/pdf/knot%20guide.pdf