Teaching the Course
See how the teacher guidance, student workbooks, and outdoor activities fit together—and what you’ll need to bring the course into your program.
What do I receive?
Each unit pairs a downloadable Teacher Manual with an Adventure Journal student workbook. The manual provides lesson guidance, background information, discussion prompts, activity instructions, safety considerations, and assessment support. The journal gives students a place to plan, record observations, complete tasks, and reflect.
These are PDF resources for printing; supplies and printed books are not included. See the unit pages for the available materials and actual previews.
What does teaching a lesson look like?
Students work through a practical survival problem. Teacher-led discussion and demonstrations introduce the ideas and skills; outdoor activities give students time to practice, build, test, and improve. Assessment and reflection help them explain what worked and what they would change.
The Teacher Manual guides instruction, while the matching Adventure Journal supports student work. Lessons combine indoor and outdoor learning, with time divided to suit your class periods. Explore the units to see lesson examples.
What do I need to teach it?
Plan for teacher preparation, the unit’s supplies, and active supervision. Read the lesson and safety guidance in advance, practice unfamiliar skills, and arrange any required permissions.
Before choosing a unit, review its Supplies & teaching preparation information and linked resources for the specific requirements.
What kind of outdoor space do I need?
You can teach much of the course on school grounds. A designated area where students can gather, spread out, and work in small groups can serve as an outdoor classroom. A lawn, courtyard, or other approved space near the building may work.
Simple seating, clear boundaries, and nearby storage make teaching easier. Requirements vary by unit: shelter building needs room for poles and rope, while fire activities require an approved location and specific permissions. Review each unit’s space and supervision requirements before choosing your site.
Start with the units that fit your available space, equipment, and school policies.
How does it fit our schedule?
Outdoor Survival is designed as a semester elective for grades 6–10. You can also teach individual units to fit your program. Plan approximately 80 hours for the eight-unit course, or about 10 hours per unit, including six lessons and a Unit Challenge.
Divide lessons across shorter class periods and allow for setup, extra practice, and your students’ needs. These are planning estimates; the number of units you teach will depend on the time available.
Questions about your setting? Contact Pathfinder Learning.