Pass The Chaga: Passing Our Knowledge On To Others

Four minutes and nine seconds! That's exactly how long it took Isabelle to deploy a tarp shelter after only trying it one single time. For young Isabelle, this was a victorious moment in her training. For me, it was a victory as an instructor. One that I have used as motivation every time I have a teaching opportunity. What an awesome learning experience we shared that day. She learned from me that she was more than able to provide the safety of shelter for herself and others, expediently and under extreme pressure. I gained from Isabelle confidence in my teaching skills, and the knowledge that yet another young person will carry this wisdom out into the

wilderness, and will potentially put it to good use.

Isabelle, I thank you for that moment.

Quite often people use their knowledge of skills to impress. I've sat around many a fire with folks talking of achievements in the area of wilderness skills and survival knowledge. Some of those folks were more than able to fill my head with the wisdom of many years of experiences gained through endless trials and testing and training. Others have shared things with me that were boastful, and sometimes circumspect. Still, I've been fortunate enough to find nuggets of information buried in those boasts.

For the majority of man's existence, knowledge was passed down by word of mouth. Sons learned their trades from their fathers. Mothers shared living skills with daughters. And the average twelve year old could do a lot of what we call "survival" without a second thought. To them, it was just living. A child learned to live by imitating his elders, and putting to practice these skills in the every day practical sense. I believe the old timers called these practices "chores."

The times have changed, and thankfully living isn't as hard as it once was. I don't think there's a need to delve into all of the advances in technology that make life an easier ordeal. I don't disdain these things, but I have made it a sort of a hobby to learn to live without some of them. Like anything, there are folks that live on either end of the spectrum. There are those that shun advances in technology, preferring to live a hardier, more natural lifestyle. And there are those that not only prefer to submerge themselves in technology, but live their lives trying to expand those horizons. I fall somewhere in the middle, and guess what? Every single lifestyle is just fine! None is any "better" than the other.

The means of passing our knowledge on has been infinitely expanded by these technological advances. The fact the you're even reading this article would have been unimaginable sixty years ago. However, these technological wonders do have one immense drawback. They create a vacuum in the area of living skills that would have to come to the forefront should these technologies no longer be available.

That statement could be taken several ways. Imagine your car stuck in a ditch on a seldom traveled road. Your cellular phone is either dead, or gets no signal. You have then lost a technological advantage. An even worse example could be a long power outage in a Northern climate in the middle of February. Many folks in Northern Minnesota possess living skills not found in Southern California. I think you get my point.

I've chosen to pursue the arts of wilderness living, both modern and primitive. I've traveled thousands of miles to learn the wisdom of people that are considered to be the most knowledgeable their areas of expertise. I've also been fortunate enough to find some of those people living a lot closer to home than I ever expected. I'm even more fortunate to call some of them friends. This is the knowledge I've chosen to share, but sharing knowledge should never be narrowed down to one field.

As a teacher, there is no greater thrill than seeing someone succeed at something they've worked so hard for. Whether it's a teenager successfully navigating a compass course, or a fifty year old man spinning his first bow drill coal, I take extreme pleasure in having the opportunity to be a part of that exciting moment. It takes me back years to when my own Grandfather would tap the side of his nose whenever I did something particularly well. I'm telling you that everybody has a chance to fill the role. Everyone of you has the ability to be the teacher!

I have a challenge for you woodsfolk out there. Next time mama talks you into going smoothy camping in a campground, or you go to an outdoor event of any kind and you see that group of teenagers with their noses stuck in their phones, walk up and show them how to strike a flint and steel. Maybe have your children invite friends over and show them some skills while they camp on your property. Or you can volunteer to share your knowledge with a local youth group or Scout troop. Take your son's friend out hunting or fishing with you. Show the ladies in your bible study how to garden, or can food. The list of how we can pass down our knowledge goes on and on.

The truth is, we are the keepers of great treasures. In a world where the sharing of knowledge is mostly done for monetary gain or a chance at fame, a lot of good information goes unused and falls by the wayside. It is our duty to make sure the good old skill of living doesn't fade away. Just like we carry that knowledge gained from those before us, our youth deserves the chance to carry it on to the next generation.

This world is going to need the knowledge of your children, my children, and children like clever Isabelle.