Wilderness skills week! We learned all about survival skills in the wilderness and put them to the test during our week of exploration.
On Monday, we learned how to use a compass and set out to explore the Audubon grounds. After a hot afternoon, we oriented ourselves to the river to stay cool.
![](https://vt.audubon.org/sites/default/files/styles/wysiwyg_slide/public/51279698791_aa8c6a0a4a_k.jpg?itok=dIuLkZGD)
![](https://vt.audubon.org/sites/default/files/styles/wysiwyg_slide/public/51280614514_b0ee321ecf_k_0.jpg?itok=Ot-OzGT4)
![](https://vt.audubon.org/sites/default/files/styles/wysiwyg_slide/public/51280721145_e9bfe00466_k.jpg?itok=PKRQ_KsC)
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We built forts for shelter and learned about the brook’s watershed while exploring for critters.
![Campers look on and point in astonishment and awe from a safe distance while Naturalist Emily pulls a snapping turtle out of the water Campers look on and point in astonishment and awe from a safe distance while Naturalist Emily pulls a snapping turtle out of the water](https://vt.audubon.org/sites/default/files/styles/bean_wysiwyg_full_width/public/51278953307_85f9f21b31_k_0.jpg?itok=Z0eAFLFm)
Thursday morning we built fires! We used our cooking skills to roast some delicious orange muffins over the campfire. We finished reading the book Holes and used the afternoon to catch frogs, minnows, and all sorts of other water critters in the river.
![Counselor Mady helps a camper pour muffin mix into a half-orange peel Counselor Mady helps a camper pour muffin mix into a half-orange peel](https://vt.audubon.org/sites/default/files/styles/bean_wysiwyg_full_width/public/51283966446_3bf802e989_k.jpg?itok=Yq2ycAR5)
![campers work together to keep a small stick fire burning. one camper pulls down their mask to blow on the flames while other look on. campers work together to keep a small stick fire burning. one camper pulls down their mask to blow on the flames while other look on.](https://vt.audubon.org/sites/default/files/styles/bean_wysiwyg_full_width/public/51283217887_cf71530004_k.jpg?itok=J_Qdbj3s)
We finished the week with a talent show and learned some of the most essential survival skills: soap carving and journaling.
![masked kids at camp, draw around a green table masked kids at camp, draw around a green table](https://vt.audubon.org/sites/default/files/styles/bean_wysiwyg_full_width/public/51294064453_9647f8a713_k.jpg?itok=qjygXMlY)
![](https://vt.audubon.org/sites/default/files/styles/bio_image/public/ben_klein_photo.jpg?itok=IKZv5zal)
By Ben Klein
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