The boys in our Sunday Chug will be preparing Survival Spaghetti.

At first glance, this might seem simple — just cooking spaghetti over a fire. But in reality, this activity builds children’s self-worth, self-esteem, self-confidence, and resilience in powerful ways.

When children go out and accomplish something beyond their usual comfort zone — like making a fire in the dark with their peers — they develop communication, teamwork, perseverance, and problem-solving skills. These experiences naturally strengthen self-confidence.

According to BD, self-confidence is the ability to face new and different challenges by drawing on past successes.

Self-esteem develops when a child completes a difficult task and realizes, “I have value and worth because I was able to do this.” This sense of accomplishment becomes a lasting reminder during harder times that they have strength and capability within them.

Resilience is built when things don’t go right the first time. When their fire goes out, but they try again — and again — until it burns steadily enough to boil water and cook their spaghetti, they’re learning persistence. Not giving up is resilience.

Working under pressure is another key skill. The boys have a limited time to make their fire and boil the water. Succeeding in this fun, challenging environment helps them learn to stay calm and focused even when time is short — a valuable skill for life.

These are just a few real examples of how bushcraft and outdoor activities shape children in meaningful ways, helping them grow into more capable, confident, and resilient people.

This is why we believe Outdoor Leadership Training is for everyone — not only for those “at risk,” but for all who want to grow stronger inside and out.