Growing Up Wild (Schoolhouse Review)

“Growing Up Wild” is a collection of DVD’s  featuring the lives and adventures of the four Wild brothers, whose parents serve as missionaries to the Wano tribe in Papua, Indonesia. Each episode features a different aspect of their lives, from home construction to gathering supplies to culture and food.

It was fun to see these American boys running around with their Wano friends, fully adapted to the culture, bravely eating foods that I would be hesitant to try, and even having their noses pierced with a sharp stick in Wano style.  Personally, I was fascinated with the episode that demonstrated the Wild family’s indoor plumbing, complete with sink, toilet, and washing machine, all using water brought to their home solely by gravity through a hose from a spring at the top of a mountain. Throughout the episodes, the narrator (the Wild brothers’ Mom) reminds the listener about God’s creation and about our call to spread the Good News to every part of the world.

This video series was a family project, but I am very impressed with how professionally done the videos are. The photography is beautiful and everything is explained from the viewpoint of the boys. Each 15 minute episode is followed by a short segment suggesting follow up activities to do at home. These activities range from building a model Wano home to looking up Bible verses, to making charts comparing Wano lifestyle with American lifestyle. The companion cd includes all the printable pages to correspond with these activities as well as a few additional activities.

I will caution that portions may not be appropriate for the very squeamish, with scenes involving giant spiders, snakes, and nose piercings. I had to turn my head away a few times, although Emily didn’t. Most kids, especially boys will love them, though!

I would say that the target age for these videos is 5-12 years old, but they are fascinating even to adults! If you would like your child to get a glimpse into a different culture, you will love these DVD’s! 

Each Growing Up Wild Volume (3 episodes plus a activity guide) sells for $18.99. All five volumes cost $80.99.

DVD 1: Home Sweet Hut, Supply Trip, Sun and Water

DVD 4: Amazing World, Adventures in Culture, Tribal Calling

Disclaimer: As a member of the Schoolhouse Crew, I received 2 volumes of this series in exchange for my honest review.