Artifact of the Month: May 2021

"Surviving" Middle School

Learning to survive in the wilderness of Southeast Alaska is not just a critical life skill; it is a rite of passage for many Ketchikan kids. Each spring, Schoenbar Middle School students learn basic outdoor education during the final weeks of the school year and then apply those skills to school-led camping and survival trips. The annual survival activities were the brainchild of former science teacher Steve Kinney, and since its inception in 1973 the goal has been to teach kids common sense outdoor practices and to grow their confidence. Heading into her 13th year leading survival trips, science teacher Frankie Urquhart said, "By the end of the trip they [the students] come back walking a little taller, and knowing that if they had to, they could take care of themselves in a real survival situation."

In 7th grade, the curriculum focuses on environmental science and learning basic camping skills. On a camping trip on Revillagigedo Island 7th graders learn how to build fires, use a compass, prevent and respond to hypothermia, and dress appropriately for the outdoors. The 8th grade curriculum builds on the previous year with a focus on safety and survival. This culminates in an overnight trip to a nearby island where kids learn how to forage and prepare edible food, build shelters, and what to do when encountering wildlife.

One of the main features of the 8th grade survival trip is learning how to put together a survival kit, which students use on their trip. Students are allowed to bring plastic sheeting, a sleeping bag, clothing, and a 12 oz. or smaller coffee can filled with essential items like fire starters, fishing line, ibuprofen, soap, an eating utensil, and food. This month's featured artifact is an authentic survival can used by many students over the years.

Ketchikan Museums, KM 2018.2.4.1 A&B