City Parks Offer Kids On Break Lessons In Survival

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With city school kids on spring break this week the Parks Department is offering a chance for them to learn some survival skills.

Urban Park Rangers are holding events for kids at parks around the five boroughs.

On Monday, a group of kids from the Marble Hill Community Center in the Bronx got to get up close and personal with a California Kingsnake in Van Cortlandt Park.

Throughout the week kids can also learn different survival skills from archery to knot tying to how to build a shelter out of sticks, twigs and leaves.

"There's a little bit of a learning curve but honestly I think anyone can do it we've had kids as young as about four years old with parental supervision we've been able to get them to fire off an arrow," said Urban Park Ranger Michael Vincent.

"The average New Yorker hasn't ever really touched a bow and arrow before, so, there's the whole novelty of it for them," said Urban Park Ranger Grant Wheeler.

Parks officials say they are expecting lots of youngsters to come out and take advantage of the free programs.

"We'll teach you all about wilderness survival on our programs, learn how to shoot a bow just like in 'The Hunger Games' and learn all about insects, wildlife, and many of the fabulous things our parks have to offer," said Urban Park Rangers Deputy Director Richard Simon.

Start times vary by park and event.

For more information, visit nyc.gov/parks.