In October 2007, Project Lost Youth
Survival achieved official non-profit status, with a mandate to develop
and co-ordinate nature survival-based camps for youth at risk, drug
prevention, intervention, and disabilities.
Project Lost Youth Survival has access
to a 340-acre wilderness property located northeast of Bancroft, Ontario,
which currently has two rustic cabins that can accommodate up to 20
campers, and a staff trailer. We will be developing the property further
with additional bunkies, etc.
Project Lost Youth Survival is seeking intake partners in the non-profit sector to work with to achieve similar goals of youth rehabilitation.
As part of Project Lost Youth Survival, Executive Director David Arama brings over 30 years of experience in Outdoor Adventure Education and Youth Wilderness Camps.
David Arama ('The Survivorguy') has been teaching and leading outdoor programs for more than 30 years at community colleges (e.g.. Humber, Seneca, Mohawk, Niagara, Conestoga), universities (McMaster, U of Guelph), numerous district school boards, and city Parks and Recreation departments (e.g., Vaughan, Markham, and Milton).
His teaching also extends to numerous clubs, business, and industry groups. Some past and present clients include: Great Lakes Helicopter School, Pontiac Search and Rescue, Humber College (Flight Aviation Program - commercial airline pilots), Falconbridge Mining Coorporation, Five Winds Ski Club, Camp Mini-o-wee, Upper-Canada College, Markham Scouts and Venturers, and the Single Gourmet Social Club.
David has numerous television and radio appearances on TSN's the Great Outdoorsman Show, the Hunter & Angler Show, City TV's Breakfast Television, The Weather Network News, Global TV News (survival tips), and FAN Radio. He has also written numerous newspaper articles concerning Wilderness Survival and Preparedness. In addition to his media appearances, he also presents seminars and workshops at conferences held by such organizations as the Ontario Camping Association and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.
Many of his presentations extend to public shows as well, such as the Ontario Out-of-Doors Annual Hunting and Fishing Show, the Toronto Sportmen's Show, and the Outdoor Adventure Show.
Associated with the Wilderness Survival School, David has written several of the school's manuals, including the WTI Wilderness Survival Manual, the Outdoors Pursuits Camp Manual, and the Project LOST manual. Due to David's extensive knowledge in wilderness survival, GPS navigation, map & compass use, nature lore, edible and medicinal plants, and outdoors camping training, he is also a consultant and program designer, having pioneered numerous outdoor programs for groups, individuals, and many summer adventure camps.
David is currently researching lost victims and survival preparedness, and has recently received a grant to develop a "standardized" survival program aimed at saving lives in the wilderness, in association with Search and Rescue and Emergency Measures organizations.
He also appears on Outdoor Life's "Camp n' Out Series" (the survival expert), the new "Survivorman-Kids YTV Series (trained the castaways, survival consultant and involved in designing the series), Les Stoud's "Survive!" book, and in SARSCENE magazine.
Academically, David has the following credentials: B.A. Environmental Studies (York); Diploma in Business Administration (Seneca); Certificate in Outdoor Recreation (Humber); and Certificate in Wilderness Emergency Care (Humber). David is currently completing an MscEd (concentration of studies in youth nature therapy), and Phd Ed (thesis to be on the development of Project Lost Youth Survival).
