Students in Lawrence Foster’s Wilderness Survival Skills class have just completed an intensive program based on Les Stroud’s book “Survive”. The Sault College professor; who has worked with Stroud on other projects, chose this book for his class making Sault College the first School in the world to officially use Les Stroud’s survival philosophy through his writing and teaching. Foster remarked; “Stroud’s book is an incredibly practical and relevant text for Northern Survival. We adopted this book as our text because Stroud demonstrates a fresh perspective from a man who has survived in Northern Climate.”
During the 15 week course the students developed survival kits, practiced water collection and disinfection, built and slept in shelters through all conditions and were challenged to use their imagination to solve problems and survive.
Foster who has been teaching wilderness skills for over 14 years and who has lead Canada’s best teams in gruelling multi day races such as Eco Challenge is no stranger to survival situations . “Survival is the most open ended problem you can face; your ingenuity, skills and perseverance shape the outcome. If you read Stroud’s book and practice what he preaches you increase your chances.”
Sault College students were challenged during the class to use only what they had with them to build a fire in the rain. With virtually no equipment and with soggy wood things were looking bleak until one student used the battery and thin wire from old equipment to generate enough heat to ignite tinder. “I read this in Stroud’s book” the student remarked; “I never thought it would work….but it did!”
wow thats cool
Hey Les and everyone…Are you talking about Sault College in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario?
If you are, then awesome! I was born in the “Soo”, Michigan. My paternal grandparents were Canadian.
I know that area very well.
Les – I think you are a wonderful teacher. I’ve learned so much from you by watching your films, reading your book, and listening to interviews you’ve done. I hope other survival skills teachers will follow Mr Foster’s excellent example by also choosing your book for their survival skills classes.