I am a Physical Education Teacher by trade.
We have a new administration at our school and I may have the opportunity to Teach a  Outdoors/Backwoodsman class for a PE elective.
As this is something that directly relates to TradGang (at least I think so) I hope that I can get some ideas as to what you would like to see taught in a class such as this if you were to take it.
Now this is a High School level class, we are a poorer rural district in Central NY.
I will be able to teach Archery and very possibly Bowhunting (got a board member who is a bowhunter)
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated
thanks in advance

Check out Ed Tyanich's Backcountry skills classes, he used to have a web site.

How about different way to make a fire? Like ferrell rod, vaseline  soaked cotton balls, show them how to make char cloth, feathers sticks, and gather and use fatwood. Make shelter with a tarp oor natural shelter.

Check out Clay Hayes' videos called "Backcountry College" on Youtube.

You'll have to narrow it down to maybe different categories. For a determined number of weeks teach survival - fire making methods, first aid, shelter, navigation. Maybe another set of weeks could be food - edible/non edible plants and berry's, how to cook something in the woods, different methods. Another few weeks could be hunting related and different techniques.

No matter how you break it down, it's awesome to see something like that in schools now a days.

Basic camping skills cover most problems and situations, but some need special attention. These are some listed in no particular order of importance:

1. Making fire in WET weather

2. First Aid

3. Navigation

4. Finding suitable water

5. Making/finding shelter

Gentlemen thank you very much for replies!
It is greatly appreciated

Sam has got it right.  This is what I am teaching to kids at a two day safety camp our hospital sponsors.  We also do CPR and fire safety.  Have fun with the kids, we always do.

Check out Bushcraft USA. This sight is FULL BC teaching skills.

X2 BUSHCRAFT USA

RAY MEARS BUSHCRAFT

How about determining what plants and insects are edible, how to set snares or traps in a pinch, and how to avoid or deal with bad situations involving bad people that you might encounter in the woods?  (Meth cookers, for example.). Also:

How to survive being in an emergency in summer vs. winter...
How to keep a clear head...
How to signal for help...
How to preserve meat in the field...
How to catch fish without a line or a net...
How to safely cross rivers...

And... How to avoid getting into survival situations that you didn't want to be in.

Navigation / orienteering is a natural.  During a test session they should be able to follow a set trail using compasses, find numerous drop points with the next clue / direction, maybe have a related task at one or all of these points ( fire making, signalling, shelter building, some of which can be actually performed, some might need to be discussed).

Sounds fun.  You can put in lots of hunting / fishing / outdoors training without calling it that.  Get them interested in the out doors and the rest happens.
ChuckC

What a great step by a public school! One thing I would definitely teach is something that seems obvious but is definitely not obvious to  modern kids who did not grow up spending all their free time outside in the woods: how to walk outside. E.g, how to climb a rise by traversing across the slope, how to choose your footfalls when in rough terrain, especially going downhill, how to safely get over / under/around a fallen log, a fence, a thorny thicket, a stream. Every year in western NC, we lose teenagers and young adults with plenty of tattoos and piercings but not a lick of sense about respecting slippery rocks, current and gravity at the top of waterfalls.

I am teaching a one week camp for 8 twelve year old girls how to camp in August.  These are all friends of my 12 year old.  So I am taking notes of all your suggestions.  One morning will be devoted to archery of course.  Keep the suggestions coming.  

Again gentlemen I thank you all great ideas and advice!
Very, very appreciated!

Maybe even basic 101 camping.  You know with out electric or battery gadgets.  Just some info to get them started in the great outdoors.  Coleman stove, kerosene/propane lantern, making kindling, sharpen a knife or axe.  Boiling camp coffee. Setting up a tent.

Also let them know that the cigarette lighter plug 120v inverter won't run the microwave or the coffee pot.  I've witnessed this with quite a few campers:)

The state of MN has outdoor adventures curriculum

I know the teacher at this link, did some hide tanning demos for him and our club does some archery work with him

http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/Domain/4488

lots of info out there and having other schools that actually do this might help with admin/parents and such....

PM me if you would like further help....