To begin their Entrepreneurial Adventure (EA) Project, the Grade 6 class at St. Louis School went to Smith Camps for a day of foraging for local skin care ingredients and learning about wilderness safety and survival. As part of the project, the students will be starting a company called Boreal Essentials, which will produce an essential skin care salve made with balsam poplar buds. They will also be creating (writing and photographing) an outdoor survival guide including instructions on what to pack for an outdoor adventure, first aid in the wilderness, starting a fire, building a shelter, and foraging for sustenance.
A very big thank you to Al, Joanie and Mac Smith of Smith Camps for hosting the class, as well as Mr. Ted Biggs for sharing his wealth of knowledge and stories about surviving in the Northwestern Ontario bush. Everyone braved the cold temperatures but, with the roaring fire and sun shining, no one complained once!
Learning about the healing properties of, and tasting, balsam poplar sap.
Learning to start a fire with birch bark under the instruction of Mr. Biggs. He also taught how to make a lot of smoke should smoke signals ever be necessary.
Building a shelter in a great location, and lining it with pine boughs for insulation.
Balsam tea made over the fire. It was a hit with many, while others had to plug their noses to try it!