A Wilderness Survival Course for Urbanites

Sure, you can navigate the concrete jungle of the city with ease, but what if you actually had to survive in the wild and fend for yourself? Test your mettle, and learn a few tricks with the Parks Department’s wilderness survival course, to be held in Prospect Park on Feb. 11.

Trained Urban Park Rangers will teach city dwellers the techniques of wilderness survival and emergency preparedness during an afternoon course, where participants will learn how to start a fire without matches, read a compass and built a shelter out of branches and leaves.

The activities vary by skill level, and Urban Park Ranger Sergeant Tony Prastaro says there is no need to feel intimidated if the only maps you’ve ever read are on an iPhone.

“It’s very basic, but very informative,” said Prastaro. “There’s a lot of hands-on experience.”

He says the program has been one of their most popular, attracting families who are planning hiking vacations, as well as city dwellers who just want to learn how to be prepared in an emergency.

The program is family friendly, but is recommended for ages 8 years and older.

The free survival workshop starts at 1 p.m., and lasts about two hours. Participants will meet at the Prospect Park Picnic House, by West Drive and Third Street.