Final answer:
The phrase "living off the land" indicates that Troop 500 relied on natural resources and their environment for survival, emphasizing self-sufficiency and a deep engagement with nature.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "living off the land" suggests that Troop 500 survived using materials found in the natural world. This means that they foraged for their own food and constructed shelters using basic materials that were readily available in their environment. To live off the land, individuals might gather fruits, nuts, and berries, hunt for wild animals, and build shelters out of surrounding materials like mud, rocks, and vegetation. This way of life encourages self-sufficiency and deepens one's connection with nature. People would also share resources and work together to ensure the survival of the entire group.
Throughout history, many societies have lived like this, such as the hunter-gatherer societies and those practicing a gathering-hunting strategy. This form of subsistence is markedly different from modern urban living where reliance on material things and services is the norm. Techniques for living off the land can still be experienced today through activities like backpacking trips which teach individuals to adapt and be self-reliant.