Outdoor Survival · Applied Wilderness Skills
Shelters
Hands-on shelter-building curriculum for teachers and group leaders. Students practice essential knots and apply science to outdoor problems.
For grades 6–10
Inside the Shelters unit
Students finish by working together to build and evaluate a functional shelter.
6 core lessons + Unit Challenge
Shelters Teacher Manual contents: Introduction; Unit Overview; Teacher Background Knowledge; Supplies; Unit Storyline; Core Skills Lessons: Lesson 1, Introduction to Shelters; Lesson 2, Bivy Tarp Shelters; Lesson 3, Lean-To Shelter; Lesson 4, Tripod Tarp Shelter; Lesson 5, Ridgeline Shelter; Lesson 6, Hammock; Unit Challenge; Conclusion.
Look inside
Each unit pairs a Teacher Manual with an Adventure Journal student workbook. The manual guides instruction and activities; the journal supports student planning, recording, and reflection.
Explore a complete sample lesson and the corresponding student workbook pages.
Preview the Teacher Manual
Teacher Manual
See how the lesson is organized, including teaching guidance, materials, safety considerations, and activity instructions.
Preview the Adventure Journal student workbook
Adventure Journal — Student Workbook
See the pages students use alongside this lesson to record observations, practice concepts, and reflect on their learning.
Teacher Manual + Student Workbook
Downloadable PDFs: the Teacher Manual and matching Adventure Journal student workbook for this unit. Printed books and supplies are not included.
Individual resources
Each bundle includes both resources for one unit. Shop other units →
Teaching this unit
Teach outdoors with room for teams to work. You’ll need tarps, rope, stakes, and poles. Review the lessons, practice the knots, and prepare your site before teaching.
Supplies & teaching preparation
Supplies
For the unit: 8-foot poles (at least three per team), tent stakes (at least three per team), sticks (at least three per student), 10 × 10-foot tarps, rope in 12-foot lengths, and paracord in 5-foot lengths. Lesson requirements vary; use the planning list below.
Open supplies planning PDF ↗Outdoor space
A schoolyard, field, or similar outdoor area with room between teams, sturdy anchor points, and storage for 8-foot poles. Inspect supports, ground conditions, and lines before use.
Preparation & supervision
Review teaching and safety guidance, practice the knots, gather materials, and inspect your site. The manual includes teacher background knowledge, knot instructions, lesson plans, and safety considerations to support this preparation. Adult supervision and your school or program’s policies remain essential.
Sample lesson: Lean-To Shelter
Per team: one 10 × 10-foot tarp, ridgeline rope or a pole, and two tent stakes. Per student: one 5-foot length of paracord for bowline practice. The manual suggests teams of three or four.
Shorter class periods
Plan approximately 10 hours of student learning across the unit. Divide a lesson across sessions: teach concepts and practice knots first, then build and test outdoors. Allow time for setup, cleanup, and returning to unfinished work.
Delivery, printing & licensing
Delivery
Download links arrive by email after purchase. PDFs only; no printed books or supplies.
Classroom printing permissions
The purchaser may reproduce student materials for use with their own students. The license applies to a single teacher and their classes only. Additional teachers must purchase their own license. Sharing, distributing, or posting the material online or in school or district repositories without permission is prohibited.
About the Pilot Edition
This is the currently available Shelters edition, with all six lessons and the Unit Challenge. “Pilot Edition” identifies its stage of development as the curriculum is refined through classroom use.
School & group purchasing
Contact us to discuss purchasing and licensing for multiple instructors in a school, homeschool co-op, microschool, or program.
Ask about school purchasing →