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NYL will be releasing a new outdoor survival skills challenge every Friday. When you complete the challenges, tag @NorthernYouthLeadership on Facebook or Instagram, or email [email protected] to share your response with us for a chance to win a limited edition NYL T-Shirt designed by Erasmus Apparel in Yellowknife.

The series of activities helps to set you up for safety and success on the land. In week one, you will identify someone you know who is knowledgeable when it comes to outdoor survival. You can then refer to this person for advice throughout the challenge. If this person is not a part of your household, you can ask for advice over the phone, via video chat, or via online messaging. The next three weeks ask you to plan ahead and identify safety precautions you take when going out on the land. Weeks five through nine explore a variety of on-the-land survival skills such as shelter building, personal hygiene, no-trace camping, preparing food and navigation. The challenge finishes by asking you to reflect back on what you have learned and connect with your community by sharing your favourite story about being on the land.

These challenges have been designed to fulfill the requirements of WLD1130. If you live in the NWT, talk to your teacher about this challenge to see if you can earn high school credit for participating.

Remember, safety first! These activities are designed to be completed under the supervision of an individual over the age of 18, with knowledge of safe on the land practices and first aid skills. In keeping with best physical distancing practices, this person should be a part of your household. Please note that NYL is unable to provide in-person supervision for these activities. All activities are completed at your own risk. 

 

Challenge #1

  • April 17, 2020

    Who is your favourite person to go out on the land with and why? Share a picture of you on the land together.

Challenge #2

  • April 24, 2020

    Share a picture of three things that you always carry with you when you go out on the land. Tell us why these three things are important to have with you.

Challenge #3

  • May 1, 2020

    Share a picture of you travelling on the land. What information about your trip would you make sure someone at home had before you left? Tell us one safety tip you want others to know before they go out on the land.

Challenge #4

  • May 8, 2020

    Share a picture of an animal that you might see while travelling on the land. What safety precautions do you take for this animal?

Challenge #5

  • May 15, 2020

    Tell us what the weather is like where you are right now. Share a picture of two things you can wear to be safe on the land in these weather conditions.

Challenge #6

  • May 22, 2020

    Build a shelter and tell us three things you considered when building it. Share a picture of your shelter.

Challenge #7

  • May 29, 2020

    Share a picture of your favourite place on the land. Tell us one way that you practice personal hygiene on the land and one way that you protect the land for future use.

Challenge #8

  • June 5, 2020

    Share a picture of one food that you can harvest from the land right now. Tell us about your favourite way to prepare this food.

Challenge #9

  • June 12, 2020

    Share a picture of something that you use to find your way on the land. What is a landmark that you use to find your way home safely?

Challenge #10

  • June 19, 2020

    Share your favourite story that you’ve heard about being out on the land. Share a picture of something from this story.