Wilderness Survival Camp: Building Real Skills for Preppers in 2025
This summer, Portarlington is welcoming a new Wilderness Survival Camp, a rare chance for families and young preppers to gain essential outdoor skills. As our world faces more challenges—like power outages, natural disasters, and supply chain issues—learning to be self-reliant has never been more important. This survival camp, organized by Wild Tracks Ireland, focuses on teaching practical skills that every prepper and survival-minded family should have.
Why Survival Skills Matter in 2025
In today’s uncertain world, knowing how to survive in the wild is more than just fun—it’s a life skill. With storms, grid failures, and unpredictable events becoming more common, being able to rely on yourself and your family can make all the difference. This camp is a great way for young people to learn survival basics in a safe environment, while also helping adults brush up on their own skills.
What the Camp Offers
The Wilderness Survival Camp runs through July and August 2025, offering hands-on experience in:
- Bushcraft: Learn how to use what’s around you to make tools and survive.
- Shelter Building: Practice making shelters from natural materials to stay safe from the elements.
- Fire Lighting: Discover different ways to start a fire for warmth, cooking, and signaling.
- Foraging: Identify edible and medicinal plants, a vital skill if supplies run low.
- Navigation: Use simple tools and natural clues to find your way without GPS.
- Water Purification: Learn safe methods to clean water, preventing illness in emergencies.
- Basic First Aid: Handle minor injuries and emergencies until help arrives.
Building Resilience and Teamwork
Prepping is not just about supplies—it’s about building mental strength and teamwork. This camp encourages kids and teens to work together, solve problems, and become leaders. Families who prep together are stronger and more prepared for anything.
How Preppers Can Benefit
Even if you can’t attend this camp, the skills taught are a great reminder of what every prepper should practice with their family. Here’s how you can apply these lessons at home:
- Practice Shelter Building: Try making a simple lean-to or debris hut in your backyard or local woods.
- Fire Starting Drills: Teach family members to use matches, lighters, and fire starters. Practice in different weather conditions (with safety in mind).
- Forage Locally: Learn about common edible plants in your area. Take a field guide and go on a family foraging walk.
- Water Purification: Test different methods—boiling, using filters, or purification tablets. Talk about when each method is best.
- Map Reading and Compass Use: Plan simple hikes and use a compass and map instead of a phone.
- Family First Aid: Make sure everyone knows basic first aid, like treating cuts, burns, and sprains.
Gear Up: What To Bring and How To Prepare
Whether joining a camp or practicing at home, having the right equipment is key. Here are some basic items every prepper should have for outdoor survival practice:
- Multi-tool or knife for building and repairs
- Fire starter kit (matches, lighter, ferro rod)
- First aid kit with supplies for minor injuries
- Sturdy outdoor clothing for all weather
- Water bottle and portable filter
- Emergency shelter, like a tarp or space blanket
- Backpack for carrying supplies
- Whistle and signaling mirror
Teaching Kids Survival: Start Young, Build Confidence
This camp is designed for children ages 8 to 16, but teaching kids survival skills can start at any age. The earlier they learn, the more confident and capable they become. Involve your kids in prepping by letting them help pack emergency kits, plan family drills, and learn new skills together.
Many parents in Portarlington are already excited for this camp, seeing it as a way to get their children away from screens and out into nature. This is a lesson every prepper family can use—real skills are best learned outside, not online.
Make Preparedness Fun and Regular
The camp includes team challenges and games, proving that learning survival doesn’t have to be boring. You can do the same at home by setting up friendly competitions, like who can build the best shelter or start a fire the fastest (safely, of course). Reward effort, creativity, and teamwork.
Preparedness Action Steps for Preppers
- Set aside time each month for a family survival skills day
- Review your emergency gear and make sure everyone knows how to use it
- Visit local parks or woods to practice outdoor skills
- Read up on wild edible plants in your region
- Take a basic first aid course as a family
Looking Ahead: Survival Skills for Life
Events like the Portarlington Wilderness Survival Camp are more than just summer fun—they are a chance to build lifelong skills that could save lives. In 2025, every American family can benefit from learning and practicing real-world preparedness. Whether you join a camp or practice at home, make survival skills a regular part of your prepping plan.
Stay safe, stay prepared, and remember—skills are the most important thing you can pack.