What is covered in the course? 

This course is a hands-on application of essential skills that challenges students in new ways. However, it also solidifies their sense of self reliance while helping them remain focused. Students will use advanced navigational skills to traverse land and water while using critical thinking skills to find a suitable location for a base camp. The base camp must provide resources for water and protein procurement and materials needed for fire and shelter. Students will learn advanced  hunting and gathering techniques and methods of processing and preserving food. They quickly learn the value of using any means necessary to procure protein and other vitamins and mineral-rich food sources while building and maintaining a long term shelter. This course teaches students that they can effectively stay within a natural environment as long as they would like.

This course is demanding on both the mind and the body. We have designed this course for those seeking a more physically and intellectually challenging learning experience with little to no gear, tools, or supplies. Students should expect to walk waist deep in the swamp and trudge across rugged terrain. Throughout this experience, students will use only select gear, tools, and clothing, relying on the knowledge and skills obtained through their prior training. 

Eligibility Requirements: Students  must be at least 16 years old. All students younger than 18 must be accompanied by a paid parent or legal guardian.

Special Requirement: Students must purchase a South Carolina Fishing License and keep it in their possession at all times during this course. If you are a SC resident, click the link for a yearly license or a 14-day permit. For non-residents click here for the out-of-state permit.

Topics covered

Continued advancement of the 9 wilderness priorities

Fire (Advanced) 

Water 

Shelter

• Long Term Shelter Construction

Food

• Primitive trapping & fishing including lures, baiting, and trapping locations

• Principles of night time hunting & fishing techniques 

• Advanced  plant & tree identification

• Butchering

• Meat preservation

• Primitive cooking

ROCS - (Advanced)

•  Rescue

• Orienteering 

• Communication

•  Signaling

The Psychology of Survival 

• Critical thinking skills and meditation techniques for stress reduction and management

Self-Care & Hygiene

• Scent Elimination 

Improvisation Techniques

Awareness (Situational)

Setting up & maintaining a camp kitchen

Camouflage & Concealment

Bowl burning & utensil making

How to read and predict the weather around us

And much more...