Essential Wilderness Hazards Checklist for 7th-Grade Field Trips Created in Minutes

Hi John! It’s great to meet you. A field trip to the woods is the perfect way to bring Wilderness Survival skills to life for 7th graders. At that age, they love the "gross" and "dangerous" factors, so framing these hazards as things they need to "detect and defeat" usually keeps them very engaged.

Since you're heading into the field, I’ve put together a comprehensive lesson guide covering the primary hazards they’ll encounter. If you'd like to turn this into a visual presentation for your classroom before you head out, I highly recommend using the Alayna AI Slides Generator for Google Slides. You can install it from the Google Workspace Marketplace and access it via Extensions → Alayna AI for Google Slides™.

Here is the "Know Before You Go" Hazard Guide for your lesson:

Lesson Title: Trail Awareness & Hazard Identification

Objective: Students will identify botanical, biological, and environmental hazards common to the woods and learn preventative measures and immediate treatments.

1. Botanical Hazards (Plants)

• Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac:
  • Identification: "Leaves of three, let it be." Explain that Poison Ivy has three leaflets, often with a "thumb" notch on the side.
  • The Culprit: Urushiol oil. This oil is what causes the rash. It can stay on clothes, gear, and pet fur for months.
  • Action: If touched, wash with cold water and degreasing soap (like Dawn) immediately. Do not use hot water, as it opens the pores and lets the oil in.
• Stinging Nettles:
  • Identification: Look for fine, needle-like hairs on the stems and leaves.
  • The Hazard: The hairs act like hypodermic needles, injecting formic acid.
  • Action: Avoid touching. If stung, use the "sticky side" of duct tape to pull out the hairs, or apply a paste of baking soda and water.
• Thorns and Briars:
  • The Hazard: Scratches that can lead to infection.
  • Action: Always walk "eyes up" to avoid eye injuries from low-hanging thorny branches.

2. Biological Hazards (Insects & Wildlife)

• Ticks (The "Stealth" Hazard):
  • Where they hide: Tall grass, leaf litter, and low-hanging branches.
  • Prevention: Tuck pants into socks (the "Geek Look" is a survival look!). Use DEET or Permethrin on clothing.
  • Action: Perform a "Tick Check" every 2 hours and a thorough one upon returning home.
• Stinging Insects (Bees, Wasps, Hornets):
  • The Hazard: Ground nests are the biggest danger for groups of students walking in a line. The first person disturbs them; the third person gets stung.
  • Action: If a nest is disturbed, run in a straight line away from the area. Do not swat at them—that releases pheromones that signal others to attack.
• Snakes:
  • Identification: Teach them to distinguish local venomous vs. non-venomous snakes (e.g., Copperheads vs. Garter snakes).
  • The Rule: "Step over logs, not on them." Snakes often sun themselves on the far side of logs or rocks.

3. Environmental & Terrain Hazards

• The "Widowmaker":
  • Definition: Dead branches or trees that are caught in other trees and could fall at any moment.
  • Action: When stopping for a break or setting up a "base camp," always look up first. Never sit or stand under a leaning dead tree.
• Stagnant Water:
  • The Hazard: Bacteria and parasites like Giardia.
  • Action: Never drink "wild" water unless it has been treated by boiling, filtration, or chemical tablets.
• Heat & Hydration:
  • The Hazard: Heat exhaustion.
  • The Math: Students should be drinking roughly 1/21/2 to 11 liter of water per hour of moderate activity in the woods.
  • Signs: Dizziness, excessive sweating, or "goosebumps" in the heat.

Activity: The "Hazard Scavenger Hunt" (Non-Contact)

Give students this checklist on a clipboard. Their goal is to spot these items from a distance without touching them.

Teacher’s Pro-Tips for the Field:

1. The "Safety Whistle": Give every student a whistle. One blast means "Stop and look at the teacher," three blasts means "Emergency/Stay where you are."
2. The First Aid Kit: Ensure you have Benadryl (for stings), Technu (for poison ivy), and tweezers (for ticks).
3. The "Buddy System": No student should ever be out of sight of their assigned buddy.

Does this list cover what you were looking for, John, or would you like me to dive deeper into a specific area like snake safety or water purification?