I will put in a vote for Scouts. Particularly since you stated your husband is not interested. It will give your kids an opportunity to see other adults, particularly Dads, who do have interest and show your kids this is not just a Mom thing.

I would recommend the Boy Scout Field Guide, not Handbook. My favorite is the 1969 edition available for about $10-$15 in used book stores, flea markets, antique dealers, and garage sales. Excellent pictures of KIDS doing stuff. Written in a language appropriate for kids.

I am a member of a SAR team and will second that is another good way to get your kids to become self reliant. Due to legal restrictions, they will not be able to respond on their own but can be accompied by an legal guardian. For more information check out the NASAR website for training. Contact your local Emergency Management. (check the blue pages of your phone book under govt) to find local SAR teams. Dogs require constant training. Dog teams always need people who will come to the training and go hide so the dogs have someone to find. Kids make great victims and love playing hide and seek with the dogs.

"Ground Pounders" or people searchers who once complete basic training only need to refresh skills. For a training book on equipment selection, skills to learn, and basic survival techinques for a 72 hour stay on their own, get the NASAR text for the Fundamentals of SAR class.

Civil Air Patrol is another posibility of organized people who are self reliant. Might have to be more teen age or older to participate. Not sure on that one.

Fire Departments and Rescue squads spend a lot of time sitting around the station waiting for a call. They are generally very happy to give tours and talk about their equipment and training. This may not be an ungoing training session but might make a neat "field trip" for your kids. Some departments sponsor a Venture Scout troop. Basically coed Boy Scout program for 14-21 yr olds. They would be familiar with working with kids. My kids love going to the fire station and climbing all over the equipment. We occasionally let kids of members attain our training and use them as victims. The kids like the attention and have a better understanding of what might happen to them in the event of accident.