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The 5 C's of survival are what you need when life puts you in an unexpected situation. The OLT boys learned them this week — and every parent and child should know them too. Not every camping trip is planned.

BD Greenman, the Cowboy Rabbi from Israel, reviews the Kershaw Misdirect pocket knife. Under $30, easy to sharpen, one-handed open and close, and the perfect knife for youth without breaking the bank.

Most children—and many adults—would have no idea how to evacuate an injured person in the wilderness. This week at OLT, the boys learned how to turn sticks, shoelaces, and trash bags into an emergency stretcher. More than a wilderness skill, it was a lesson in creativity, problem-solving, and confidence. When boys discover they can do things that most people can't, it changes how they see themselves.

A quick and easy family hike at Tel Tzora 🌿

BD Greenman, the Cowboy Rabbi from Israel, rides through the forests near Beit Shemesh and makes a point most people don't know — every tree you see in Israel is less than 100 years old. The whole country was reforested. And some of it is disappearing again. Here's the story from the saddle.

BD Greenman, the Cowboy Rabbi from Israel, reviews the Leatherman Rebar Multitool — a step up from the Skeletool, packed with more tools, and practical enough to keep in every car. From the field to the workshop, this one earns its place.

BD Greenman, the Cowboy Rabbi from Israel, keeps the Leatherman Wave+ in his saddlebag on his horse. 18 tools. One-handed flip open. Replaceable cutting surfaces. This is the most complete multi-tool in his collection — and here's why it earns its place.

No matches. No lighter. Just flint, steel, and ancient knowledge. BD Greenman, the Cowboy Rabbi from Israel, teaches boys one of the highest level fire-making skills at OLT — and most adults couldn't do what these boys just learned to do.

BD Greenman, the Cowboy Rabbi from Israel, reviews the portable camping gas stove that goes everywhere with him — including his saddlebag on horseback. Folds into a tiny case, screws onto a gas canister, and boils water in two minutes. This one is perfect.

BD Greenman, the Cowboy Rabbi from Israel, has three things he wants every parent to say to their children today. Not tomorrow. Today. Almost no matter what age they are — these words land differently than you think.

No matches. No lighter. Just wood, friction, and everything they've learned. The OLT boys tackled one of the most advanced skills in the program — bow drill fire making. And when the first ember glowed and a boy raised his fire and said "And the sun rises" — everything we do at OLT made sense in a single moment.This week, a parent put it into words for us.

Not all learning happens at a desk. For many boys, traditional classrooms don’t always align with how they best engage, focus, and grow. At OLT, we’ve seen again and again that when learning becomes active—when it involves movement, challenge, teamwork, and real-world problem solving—something powerful happens. Energy turns into focus. Restlessness turns into engagement. And education becomes lived experience. This week, a parent put it into words for us.

BD Greenman, the Cowboy Rabbi from Israel, has been carrying the Leatherman Skeletool CX every single day for 8 months. Here's his honest verdict on why it made the cut — and why he reaches for the knife 80% of the time.But what happens inside a boy — that's the part that's hard to put into words. This week, a parent put it into words for us.

During an OLT session the boys picked up bows and arrows. And Rabbi Landau's words said everything we've been trying to say for fifteen years. You don't push a child into greatness. You hold them close — so they can launch.

The time we have to influence our kids is short. Shorter than we think. Before you know it they're teenagers and out the door. BD Greenman, the Cowboy Rabbi from Israel, shares one of the simplest and most powerful activities you can do with your kids right now — for under $100.

When you're in the field at night with 15 boys and jackals and hyenas are a real possibility, a $20 flashlight doesn't cut it. BD Greenman, the Cowboy Rabbi from Israel, has been using the Nitecore TM9K Pro for two years. Here's why it earns its place on his belt — and why it's not your kid's camping light. But what happens inside a boy — that's the part that's hard to put into words. This week, a parent put it into words for us.

Excerpt: Kids being kids — getting outside, getting muddy, getting their hands and feet dirty — isn't just fun. It's essential. BD Greenman, the Cowboy Rabbi from Israel, makes the case for why boys need to get out of the house, get uncomfortable, and grow into the men they're meant to be. This week, a parent put it into words for us.

BD Greenman, the Cowboy Rabbi from Israel, takes headlamps seriously. He's in the forest 4 nights a week for 3-4 hours at a time leading Outdoor Leadership Training. The Nitecore HC65 UHE has some things going for it — but does it survive a full night in the field? Here's his honest verdict.But what happens inside a boy — that's the part that's hard to put into words. This week, a parent put it into words for us.

BD Greenman, the Cowboy Rabbi from Israel, goes into the forest four nights a week leading Outdoor Leadership Training sessions. His gear has to perform without fail. After months of real-world use, here is his honest review of the Olight Perun 2 — and why he owns two of them and is thinking about buying a third. But what happens inside a boy — that's the part that's hard to put into words. This week, a parent put it into words for us.

BD and the OLT boys headed out to a stream to hunt for tadpoles — and what unfolded was a masterclass in childhood. Mud, discovery, a creature growing legs right in front of their eyes, and boys who forgot to be squeamish. This is what outdoor education looks like up close. We build fires. We hike trails. We challenge boys to do hard things outdoors. But what happens inside a boy — that's the part that's hard to put into words. This week, a parent put it into words for us.