Red Dirt Shooting Sports teaches youth ages 8–18 critical wilderness survival skills for youth that build confidence, resilience, and self-reliance. From fire building to shelter construction, navigation to emergency response, our comprehensive curriculum prepares young people for real-world outdoor challenges across Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, and Arkansas.
This program is part of our broader youth shooting sports and outdoor skills pathway , designed to help young people grow from beginners to confident, capable outdoor leaders.
✓ Hands-On Training | ✓ Real-World Scenarios | ✓ Emergency Protocols | ✓ Certified Instructors | ✓ Zero Safety Incidents in 3+ Years
Safety isn’t just our priority—it’s our foundation. Learn more about our youth safety standards and protocols .
Looking for other disciplines? Explore all Red Dirt youth programs .
Wilderness survival training transforms youth into confident, capable outdoor enthusiasts. Beyond practical skills, it builds mental toughness, problem-solving ability, and self-reliance that serve them throughout life—on the range, on the trail, and at home.
These wilderness survival skills for youth also support responsible outdoor ethics. We reinforce Leave No Trace principles so young people learn to protect the land while they learn on it.
This course complements our other youth shooting sports and outdoor skills programs , giving young people a well-rounded foundation in safety, responsibility, and leadership.
Our evidence-based curriculum covers essential wilderness survival skills for youth, progressing from fundamentals to advanced skills. Youth build on what they learn in each module, with age-appropriate expectations and plenty of supervised practice.
All instruction follows the same safety-first approach outlined in our youth safety standards , including certified instructors, background checks, and documented emergency protocols.
Mental preparation, risk assessment, emergency protocols, first aid basics, communication systems, and weather awareness. Outcome: Youth learn to slow down, think clearly, and follow proven safety steps before they act. They practice walking through “stop–think–plan–act” scenarios before starting any survival task.
Tinder selection, kindling preparation, fire lay techniques, ignition methods, fire safety, and maintenance for warmth and cooking. Outcome: Youth can safely build, tend, and fully extinguish small campfires in appropriate conditions, following local rules and burn bans. They complete supervised fire-building exercises and must demonstrate a cold, fully extinguished fire before moving on.
Shelter site selection, natural material use, insulation techniques, weatherproofing, and emergency shelter building. Outcome: Youth can choose safe locations and build basic shelters that protect from wind, rain, and cold using minimal gear. They practice constructing at least one lean-to or debris shelter and are evaluated on staying dry and out of the wind.
Water source identification, purification methods, safe collection, storage, and hydration management. Outcome: Youth understand how to find, treat, and store water safely to reduce the risk of illness in the outdoors. They compare different purification methods and walk through real-world “Would you drink this?” scenarios.
Map reading, compass use, natural navigation, GPS basics, trail marking, and “getting unlost” techniques. Outcome: Youth can orient a map, follow a basic route, and use simple strategies to return to safety if they get turned around. They complete short navigation challenges using maps, compasses, and natural landmarks.
Emergency signaling, rescue protocols, first aid application, injury assessment, and communication in crisis. Outcome: Youth know how to call for help effectively, support basic first aid, and communicate clearly with rescuers and trusted adults. They practice age-appropriate emergency drills such as whistle signals, ground-to-air signals, and mock 911 call scenarios.
Fire is essential for warmth, cooking, water purification, and morale. As part of our wilderness survival skills for youth, our instructors teach proven techniques for building and maintaining fires in various conditions, always within a strict safety framework and local regulations.
Tinder: Dry, flammable materials (leaves, bark, cotton, dryer lint).
Kindling: Small twigs and branches to sustain flame.
Fuel: Larger wood for long-term burning.
Fire Lay: Teepee, log cabin, lean-to, and star configurations.
Outcome: Youth learn how to safely prepare and maintain a small campfire, and how to fully extinguish it so they leave no trace behind. They complete supervised fire-building exercises and must demonstrate a cold, fully extinguished fire before moving on.
All fire activities follow the same safety-first approach outlined in our youth safety standards .
Shelter protects youth from wind, rain, and temperature extremes and is critical for survival. As part of our wilderness survival skills for youth, we teach youth to build effective shelters using natural materials and minimal tools, with a focus on safety and environmental responsibility.
Lean-To Shelter: Simple, effective, quick to build. Best for mild weather.
Debris Hut: Excellent insulation. Ideal for cold or wet conditions.
Natural Shelters: Caves, rock overhangs, fallen trees. Assessment and safe adaptation.
Emergency Shelters: Rapid construction under stress using minimal materials.
Outcome: Youth can choose safe locations and build basic shelters that keep them dry, warm, and protected using what they have on hand. They practice constructing at least one lean-to or debris shelter and are evaluated on staying dry and out of the wind.
Clean water is essential for survival. We teach youth to identify safer water sources and use multiple purification methods so they understand both the opportunities and risks of drinking untreated water as part of their wilderness survival skills for youth training.
Moving Water: Streams and springs generally safer than stagnant sources.
Rain Collection: Clean, reliable source when conditions allow.
Dew & Condensation: Supplemental hydration in emergencies.
Plant-Based Water: Vines, cacti, and other botanical sources (where appropriate).
Outcome: Youth understand that clear water is not always safe water—and they know practical ways to make it safer before they drink. They compare different purification methods and walk through real-world “Would you drink this?” scenarios.
Getting lost is a serious survival challenge. Our navigation training teaches youth to read maps, use compasses, and navigate using natural landmarks so they can stay oriented and make smart decisions outdoors—core wilderness survival skills for youth.
Outcome: Youth can orient a map, follow a simple route, and use “getting unlost” strategies to return to safety or stay put when appropriate. They complete short navigation challenges using maps, compasses, and natural landmarks.
When emergencies occur, knowing how to signal for help and respond calmly can save lives. We teach youth age-appropriate rescue protocols and communication techniques that align with our safety and emergency action plans , reinforcing critical wilderness survival skills for youth.
Visual Signals: Mirrors, bright clothing, smoke, and fire.
Audio Signals: Whistles (3 blasts = distress), shouting patterns.
Ground-to-Air Signals: SOS patterns, arrows, and clear symbols.
Technology: Satellite messengers, PLBs, and cell phones when available.
Outcome: Youth know how to stay calm, get help, and support basic first aid while adults or emergency responders take the lead. They practice age-appropriate emergency drills such as whistle signals, ground-to-air signals, and mock 911 call scenarios.
Ages 8–10: Foundations — fire basics, simple shelters, water safety, outdoor awareness, and following directions.
Ages 11–14: Intermediate — more advanced techniques, navigation skills, emergency response, and small-group leadership.
Ages 15–18: Advanced — wilderness day expeditions, scenario-based training, peer leadership, and specialized survival challenges with additional supervision and safety planning.
Youth can pair these wilderness survival skills for youth with other Red Dirt youth programs to build a complete pathway from beginner skills to advanced outdoor and marksmanship training.
"My son was afraid of the outdoors. After Red Dirt's survival training, he's confident and eager to camp and hike." — Parent
"The survival skills I learned are invaluable. I feel prepared for anything." — Jordan, Age 16
Stories like these are possible because of our donors and partners. If you’d like to help more youth access wilderness survival skills for youth training, learn how you can sponsor youth survival training .
We believe every young person deserves access to wilderness survival skills for youth training. Comprehensive scholarships help cover program fees, equipment, and expeditions so cost is never the reason a child can’t participate.
Coverage: Around 70% of participants receive $1,000–$2,000 in annual support.
What’s Included: Program fees, equipment, expeditions, and travel support when needed.
Eligibility: Need-based; no child is excluded due to cost.
Application: Simple, private process with minimal documentation.
Scholarships are supported by generous donors and sponsors. To help fund a youth scholarship, visit our donation page .
Contact Red Dirt Shooting Sports today. Hands-on training. Real-world scenarios. Certified instructors. Multi-state programs serving youth across Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, and Arkansas.
Phone: (580) 305-1228 | Email: info@reddirtshooting.com | Learn More: Youth Programs Overview
Our wilderness survival skills for youth training is designed to be accessible for families while maintaining high safety and instructional standards. Programs are offered in partnership with local clubs, schools, and community organizations across our service area.
For current dates and locations, visit our events calendar or contact us directly.
Here are answers to some of the most common questions we hear from parents about our wilderness survival skills for youth training.
Still have questions about our wilderness survival skills for youth? Visit our broader Youth Programs FAQs or contact us directly .