Backwoods Workshop

            Summer is here at KISC! Guided activities start in only a few days and now is the time to talk about some of our new activities. Much like the environment itself, the Eco Programme is always evolving and we are happy to announce our new guided activity, the Backwoods Workshop.

Along with the other guided Eco activities, such as the Juicinator and Alternative Energy Workshop, the Backwoods Workshop aims to educate scouts about their surroundings with a hands on approach. It is by learning about our surroundings and knowing what we need and truly don’t need that we can teach ourselves about sustainability and reducing our impact on the land. After all, it was every single one of our ancestors that lived on this land. If they did not, you would not be here to read these words.

The workshop is broken into 4 sections: fire building, shelter building, water purification, and foraging and cooking.

With fire you will learn how to start fires a number of different ways. What is great about an international Scout center is that different cultures have different ways to start fires, so we can learn so much from other cultures about what is efficient.

Dries (NL) and Adri (BR) try their hand at fire building techniques.

                Shelters are fun to build, but not something exclusive to all Scouting programmes. In some countries, such as my own, wild shelters or bivvies’ are frowned upon, while scouts from Ireland build and camp in self made shelters all the time. This provides an excellent chance to practice your shelters with varied materials.

Classic A-Frame shelter

                Water is something that is very accessible in Switzerland but not elsewhere in the world. Learning how water is harmful and what you can do in order to prevent illness is important for not only survival but also for assisting developing countries. With a little knowledge, it doesn’t take much to stay nice and safe.

Check out this water filter made from a PETE bottle and natural materials, made by Tommy (US)

          Foraging is one of the best way to explore your surroundings. Through wild plants, you can find that rather than buying a salad at a store, all the vitamins and minerals can be found right outside your door. For example, the wood sorrel (pictured below) is easily identified and has a sour lemony taste when eaten. It provides a delightful change to ones wilderness salad, or just casual foraging. Be careful through, it is quite high in potassium and should not be consumed by people with kidney problems.

          If you're interested in exploring the woods around KISC more and learning of ways to not only survive, but thrive, then sign up for the Backwoods Workshop. With appreciation of  the Swiss woods, you can learn more about your surroundings in your country and do your part to be eco.

Tad Sigman (US)

Eco Assistant