TV presenter Ray Mears is teaching a group of children "survival skills" after revealing he was "shocked" at research showing a large number of youngsters can work an iPhone but cannot tie their laces.
The survey, conducted by energy giant npower, found that modern day youngsters are disconnected from the great outdoors, with 78% unable to build a camp fire, 79% unable to put up a tent and nearly two thirds unable to make a simple cup of tea.
The research, which questioned 1,000 children aged between five and 13, also revealed up to 45% cannot tie their shoe laces.
But 67% can work a DVD player, 42% can use an iPhone and 41% can work Sky Plus.
The study prompted Mears to hold a survival skills session with children in Potter's Field Park, London on Monday.
The class is part of an educational programme Climate Cops and looks to find Britain's greenest young people.
When asked if they cared about the environment, more than a third of children said no, while half of these said they didn't care because they would be able to live in space in the future.
"I can't believe our young people are so ill-equipped when it comes to practical skills," Mears said.
"When I was growing up, I was told 'You don't need equipment, you need knowledge to survive in the wild' and this is something that I truly believe.
The competition requires children to come up with a group activity celebrating adventure and encouraging fellow peers to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. The 100 winning students will be rewarded with a trip to the Lake District where they will have a survival masterclass with Mears.