Survival 101

The Survival 101 - “The First 72 Hours” Course is our most prominent wilderness training course. It is the first step in the progressive series of survival courses and the foundation to The Woodsrunner School’s System of Wilderness Skills, Safety, & Survival. Our instructors designed this course to implement a challenging yet enjoyable experience where students will learn valuable knowledge and the fundamental skills necessary to overcome the most common wilderness crisis situations.

What is covered in the course?

Because most rescues happen within the first 72 hours, our Survival 101 Course is designed to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to handle the most frequent crisis situations in the wilderness or remote settings for 24 to 72 hours. The purpose of this course is to learn the many uses of modern gear, tools, and supplies in a wilderness crisis situation. Those who are both new and experienced in outdoor activities will find value in this first survival course.

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This fun yet challenging 3 day course provides our students with hands-on practical applications and scenarios to test their critical thinking abilities. By completing challenges and timed assessments, our students quickly discover their strengths and weaknesses, and they can then focus on the skills or knowledge gaps that need the most attention.

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It is our goal through instruction that our students gain a sense of control over their lives, no matter the environment or situation in which they find themselves. This course is sure to give a boost to self-confidence and self-discipline. Those who complete it feel control and triumph over their circumstances and have a better outlook on life, no matter where they are.

Topics covered

• Pre-Trip Planning
• Clothing & Gear Choices
• Survival Principles
• Prevention of  common injuries & mistakes made in the wilderness
• The Nine Wilderness Priorities​​
• Fire (Fundamentals)
• Ignition Sources
• All-Weather Fire
• The Fire Triangle
• Locating, Sourcing & processing natural tinder​
• Water (Fundamentals)
• Shelter (Fundamentals)
• Sleeping Systems & why & when to use
• Existing natural shelter
• 6 Second Shelter
• Emergency Tarp Shelter
• Food (Fundamentals)
• Topics about needing and using food, including techniques of fasting vs. caloric intake and risk vs. reward
• Lost Proofing
• Rescue
• Navigation
• Communication
• Signaling
• The Psychology of Survival
• Self-Care & Hygiene
• Improvisation Techniques
• Awareness (Situational)
• Essential knots
• What to do after a crisis situation
• and much much more!

On night 2 students will sleep in their emergency shelters within a basecamp setting.

Prerequisite: No Prerequisites Required

Eligibility Requirements: Students must be at least 12 years old. All students younger than 18 must be accompanied by a paid parent or legal guardian.

Meetup Location: Students need to meet our staff near The Brick House Campground, 49 Brick House Rd, Whitmire, SC 29178 between the hours of  9:00 AM and 9:30 AM Friday. 

Directions:  From I-26, take exit #60 (SC 66), drive east for 3.5 miles. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 358 and drive .1 miles. There is a field just a short drive to your left. You will see our staff members parked at the entrance of the field to meet you. Turn in and they will provide you with instructions. (This is the meetup location unless otherwise noted). From there you will be led to the school property.

Early Arrivals: If you plan to arrive early. There are several hotels near by and The Brick House Campground has primitive camping available with some sites first come first serve and others available for registration.