Department of Parks
Wilderness Survival Program For Youngsters Offered Feb. 17 At Audubon

HENDERSON, Ky. -- A gorgeous, sunny morning begs you to come out to a backwoods area you’ve never been to.  As the morning turns to afternoon the clear blue skies turn cloudy and colder. 

On your way back, you discover that the log at your feet is the same one you passed a half-hour ago…or is it?  Surely you know where you are. Well, maybe. OK, maybe not.  You stop for a moment and take stock of your belongings wishing you had checked in with a friend or relative prior to hitting the trail.  Would you know what to do?  Would you know how to do it? 

John James Audubon State Park Naturalist Julie McDonald will lead a 2.5-hour program on Wilderness Survival for young people ages 10-16 on Feb. 17 departing from the Audubon Museum in Henderson at noon.

These young people will have an opportunity to discover and practice survival skills while learning to utilize the nearby resources.  Students will learn to assess the situation, prioritize their needs, and practice how to meet those needs.  Students will build a simple shelter as well as practice lifesaving skills like fire-making and water source selection.

“Although young adults can be surprisingly creative when faced with program survival scenarios prevention is always encouraged,” McDonald said. “Learning to survive the elements is terrific, but packing proper equipment or not putting yourself in harms way in the first place is just as important.” 

The cost for this program is $3 per child and requires prior registration.  To give each child the opportunity to try their hand at these skills, the class size is limited to 25 individuals. Parent permission is required.

For more information and to register, call Julie McDonald at (270) 826-2247 or juliea.mcdonald@ky.gov

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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 52 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov