Story and photos by Garrett Liberman ’25
For centuries, survivalists have honed the skills needed to thrive in even the harshest environments. At its core, survival is about mastering the basics: building shelter, starting a fire, sourcing water, and navigating the wild. During Winter Term, Upper School Rams did just that in the “Survival 101” class, guided by instructors Brian Coco, Upper School Science Teacher, and Chris Ludbrook, Upper School Dean of Students and Math Teacher.
Over the course of two weeks, students in Survival 101 gained both classroom knowledge and hands-on experience in key survival skills. Each day began with lessons in the classroom, where students learned the scientific principles and essential background behind various survival techniques. They then put their newfound knowledge to the test by heading outdoors to tackle hands-on challenges. Whether navigating a campus-wide scavenger hunt with just a map and compass or attempting to start a fire in freezing temperatures and snow, the Rams honed their ability to survive in the wilderness. The class also covered cooking with different heat sources and providing first aid in emergency situations. The course culminated in a final survival challenge, where students demonstrated their newfound skills in a real-world scenario, documenting their teamwork and problem-solving abilities through a short YouTube video.
“Survival 101 is a great chance for us to get outside and either learn some new skills or sharpen up some existing tools,” said Ludbrook. “Students come to us with a wide array of outdoor experience, so Coach Coco and I worked hard this year to find some nuggets that were new for everyone while still working on fundamental outdoor survival skills.”
The atmosphere of this class was a joy to witness, as students, with minimal interference from teachers, eagerly tackled hands-on survival tasks. They used our campus to gather materials, from kindling and wood for a fire to scouting out shelter locations, embracing the challenge with enthusiasm.
Ludbrook said, “Everyone likes to make fires. But can you do it in the snow, without matches, on a windy day, with snow melt making everything wet? That’s much more difficult than lighting a fire in your backyard fire pit. The conditions emphasize the importance of patience and the ability to adapt to whatever the outdoors throws your way. We tell the class, ‘You all are really strong thinkers. Jjust slow down, take a deep breath, and think through the situation.'”
Unlike traditional academic settings, the class fostered a sense of independence. Rather than relying on constant instruction, students drew on their creativity and problem-solving skills, even when things didn’t go as planned. Whether a fire refused to catch or a shelter collapsed, students remained determined, collaborating and adapting to find solutions. This hands-on approach is similar to the problem-solving skills needed in a real survival situation, and it gives these students self-confidence to utilize their problem-solving skills in everyday situations.