The Children of the Earth Foundation announces its 2010 schedule which offers classes that teach children and families the ancient skills of survival used by indigenous cultures from around the world. The desire to practice these skills keeps kids moving out the door, whether it’s to the back yard or the local park.

(PRWEB) January 30, 2010 -- Just a generation or two ago, the idea of playing outside was part of growing up. We’d disappear in our neighborhoods and parks, creating grand adventures as we played in nature. Much has changed for today’s children. Decreasing natural areas and increasing dangers encouraged indoor play and the eruption of electronic entertainment has left children without the sense of freedom and creativity that play in nature brings. Instead of parents setting limits about what time children need to be home, parents struggle to get their kids to go outside. They too often hear, “but there’s nothing to do!”

Imagine instead that a child had to choose; should he work on building a shelter? Should she flint knap an arrowhead? How about doing some animal tracking, practicing a bow drill fire or harvesting wild edibles from the lawn? Perhaps they should work on making a basket or tanning a hide to make leather or perhaps gathering clay and making a pot. When children and teens have been through Children of the Earth programs, they have the fundamentals to complete almost any skill you’d see in a museum of indigenous cultures. When they have the drive to perfect these fascinating skills, a whole world of wonder opens for them each time they step out the door.

These ancient skills are almost lost in today’s world. In addition to giving children something to do outdoors; they are helping preserve skills that still have relevance today. Not only are these skills that could save your life in a survival situation; they help young people have a much deeper understanding of nature and human’s relationship with it. Youth recognize the connections between prey and predator, they see the impacts of human action on the environment, they appreciate the beauty and wonder that is everywhere in nature. They also have a confidence, knowing they could take care of themselves if they should every find themselves in a survival situation, a freedom too few people know today.

The Children of the Earth Foundation was founded by author and outdoorsman, Tom Brown Jr. who learned his skills from Stalking Wolf, a displaced Apache elder who dedicated his life to preserving these skills. Tom teaches adults through his Tracker School and began The Children of the Earth Foundation to pass these skills on to children and families. Week-long programs are offered from beginning survival skills to advanced classes where teens go into nature in almost full survival. Children of the Earth also works with groups including homeschool associations, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, churches, indigenous populations and schools to create specialized programs for these settings.

In their 2010 schedule, Children of the Earth Foundation will offer programs in New Jersey, Colorado, California and Massachusetts as well as customized programs for groups around the country. This is a unique way to not only preserve ancient skills and philosophies, but a great incentive to get kids to put aside the electronics and get outdoors.