Outdoor Skills

A rolling boil for one minute kills the pathogens that make wild water dangerous, turning a murky stream find into a safe drink. This is one of the most reliable water skills a family can carry into any backcountry situation, and kids as young as four can take part. Learn it once, practice it at home, and you will always have it.

A throw bag is one of the most useful pieces of safety gear on any family river trip, and learning to use it right takes about ten minutes. Plant your feet, toss the bag past the swimmer, and pull with a steady hand. Practice this once and every kid in your crew will carry the confidence to help when it counts.

A squeeze filter turns muddy creek water into clean drinking water in about ninety seconds, and any kid old enough to tie a shoe can learn to use one. This page walks families through the steps, a quick backyard drill, and the real trail moments when this skill pays off.