"Imagine being on a trip to the polar region of the Earth. In this wonderful place of snow and ice you will first need to build an igloo to be safe from the cold and snow. Then when your cozy home is completed it is time to go hunting. Get trail mix together to take along to eat while out in the snow and ice to keep energy up. You will need to know how to 'Track the Animals' so it is time to learn the different animal prints to find some supper. After hours tracking, return home to rest in your igloo, but before you can rest the huskies must be cared for. The huskies must be tied up so they do not wander off in the blinding snow. Go learn to tie the knots needed to keep them from harm. Inside the warm igloo there is food to eat and hot chocolate. For the end of the adventure there are games to play before settling down to sleep for the night in your igloo home."

That text was the promotional material for the Boys Arctic Adventure held on Saturday at the Summit Hill Heritage Center for ages up to 12. It was a great sight to see fathers, grandfathers, and father figures getting involved in their boy's life with fun and educational activities.The boys (and some girls) in attendance had a great time painting treasure chests, compiling their own trail mix snacks, learning how to tie knots Boy Scout style, eating a succulent meal and desserts, learning the different animal prints that can be found in the State of Pennsylvania, absorbing survival skills, and also enjoying the special visit of Levi, the current rescued intern possum, at the Carbon County Environmental Education Center in Summit Hill.Franklin Klock, from the CCEEC, presided the "story time" style survivalist lecture, and talked about how to always be prepared to survive in the elements and in general.Klock advised the attendees to pay attention to their clothing choices, wearing double layers when spending long periods of time outdoors in the winter, wearing a hat even if you don't want to mess up your hair, because the head acts as a chimney letting all the heat out, and always having a survival kit handy.He suggested using your own personal water bottle which could be reused and filled with snow if need be to stay hydrated, rather than a juice box or pouch, when going into the woods.He is in favor of making your own pack of necessary items with things you already have in your home such as: clean dry socks, a foil or survival blanket, flashlight or head light, walkie talkies or old cellphones from which you could still dial 911 even if they have no service activated, a whistle, a jingle bell and a signal mirror (or compact disc) to give out your location to search and rescue teams, and a small first aid kit, among other things.In the absence of any other survival items, he emphasized the importance of just having a good old heavy duty trash bag, which could be a simple but effective way to fight off hypothermia if all else fails.Always telling someone where you're going when hiking or camping is also a good practice no matter how experienced or knowledgeable of an area you are, in case you get hurt. He also taught that whistling, clapping, or making any noise 3 times is the universal SOS or distress/help signal.If you get lostThe CCEED provided a list of nine rules for kids lost in the woods.1. Stay together if you are with friends or your dog. You can keep each other warm.2. Stay put! Do not wander or run around. Someone is looking for you.3. Keep warm. Cover all exposed skin if it is cold or raining.4. Find a cozy waiting place. Not a hiding place. Find Shelter out of the wind or rain.5. Put out something bright. Make a flag or signal with whatever you have. Do not take off clothing to do this.6. Look bigger for searchers. If you hear a plane, lie down with your arms and legs out like a snow angel. Get back up right away.7. Do not sit or lie on the bare ground. Make a seat or mattress out of pine branches or dry leaves.8. Do not eat anything you didn't bring with you. You can go a long time without eating.9. Stay away from rivers, streams or lakes. If you must drink, drink from a source that is smaller than you are so you can't fall in.The fun and informative event was hosted and had the volunteer involvement of Summit Hill Heritage Center board members David Wargo, Debra Ranck, Lyle and Andrea Mantz, and Dawn Faust, among others. The Summit Hill Heritage Center is a nonprofit organization that exists to provide a permanent home to the Summit Hill food pantry, and to foster arts and entertainment events in the Panther Valley area. For more information, to donate, or find out the next offered events visit

www.summithillheritagecenter.com or find them on Facebook.