California Cadet Corps
Cadets from the 246th Battalion of the California Cadet Corps of Greenfield High School gear up to attend the Winter Wilderness Skills Course in January to earn their Specialized Training Ribbon. (California Cadet Corps)

GREENFIELD ā€” The 246th Battalion of the California Cadet Corps of Greenfield High School had 15 cadets attend the Winter Wilderness Skills Course for four days in January and work to earn their Specialized Training Ribbon.

While in the Los Padres National Forest, the cadets learned basic survival skills, such as how to start a fire, knife safety, knot tying and trap making.

California Cadet Corps
An instructor shows cadets basic survival skills, such as fire starting. (California Cadet Corps)

ā€œThe Wilderness Skills Course taught me that a knife had so much purpose in the wilderness,ā€ said Cadet Cpl. Bautista. ā€œI am grateful to learn that you can use it to cut wood and make tinder. We also learned how to build shelter, which would be useful if I ever find myself in a dire situation in the future.ā€

The Wilderness Skills Course is preparatory training for cadets thinking of going to Survival Training during the summer.

California Cadet Corps
Cadets learn about building shelters in the wilderness. (California Cadet Corps)

While there, the cadets were welcomed in an environment where everybody was equal and had no ranks. Instructors showed them basic survival skills, such as fire starting, shelter building and water purification.

On the last day, cadets faced challenging weather conditions with some tents even flooding, but they prevailed and completed the course because in a true survival situation, one has no control over the weather.

California Cadet Corps
An instructor teaches cadets how to conduct water purification. (California Cadet Corps)

ā€œWilderness Skills Course affected me in a positive way because of the fun I had with friends and new friends that I made. It was an enjoyable experience,ā€ said Cadet Cpl. Villanueva. ā€œPersonally, I learned new things that I never expected would be useful, such as starting a fire, how to be social with people, and how to build shelters. It was fun, and I expect to go again in the future.ā€

Overall, the Wilderness Skills Course was fun and an opportunity for the cadets to learn basic survival skills and interact with each other through learning. Cadets also stated that they would take the course again if they had the chance.

California Cadet Corps
A cadet attempts to make fire. (California Cadet Corps)
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