WINTER SKILLS – Survival

Take on nature’s fiercest season with confidence in the Winter Skills Class. Led by expert instructors, you’ll learn invaluable survival techniques in harsh conditions. From building shelters and gathering resources to navigation and snowshoe making, this course will equip you with the skills to thrive in any winter wilderness.

Dates: Feb 14th thru 16th

You must be 18 years old or older to attend this class.

The registration deadline is 2 weeks prior to class start date.

• Required Gear List – 
• Meeting Location – 
• Cabin Rentals – 
• Cancellation Policy – 

This class is designed to introduce students to wilderness survival during the year’s harshest of months, winter. In winter, our needs for survival are magnified with weather being fierce and food being scarce. Students will amplify their knowledge and skill in basic survival and bushcraft as they build shelter, obtain water, and collect fuel off the landscape. Students will become very familiar with their axe to aid in creating projects as well as processing fuel. We will train class participants on how to convert simple tarp shelters with various fire lays to maximize heat as well as food preservation to maximize calorie intake. Other topics will include navigating with terrain association, winter tree identification, and snowshoe construction. The goal of this class is for students to walk away with new skills but also a sense of confidence as they carry out life in a wilderness setting below zero. 

A broad overview of tasks or what you can expect while carrying your gear are:

• hikes of 1-2 miles over terrain which may be uneven, muddy or snow-covered

• collection of materials off the landscape

• dealing with the elements (Cold, Rain, Snow, etc.)

Water will be available from jugs located in Base Camp. We continually check the water supply to make sure it is readily available.

We do not allow anyone to remain at camp without an instructor present.

If you suffer from a medical condition that requires medication, please bring your prescribed medicines with you. If you undergo surgery or a hospital stay within 30 days of the class, DO NOT attempt this course.

Port-a-Pots are located approximately 400 yards from the base camp near the parking area.

Highly recommend – physically prepare yourself at least 1-3 months in advance of this class. Based on your “starting point” physical condition.

• Hiking: uneven terrain will provide the most benefit.
• Walking: (at least 3-5 times weekly) for 5K
• Work your way up to a pack weight of 50lb before the class begins

As the premier school for self-reliance, our training exceeds that of any other school in the nation; so please take it seriously and take the time to physically prepare.

If the weather is snowy the class will be geared towards advanced bushcrafting.

No refunds will be issued for classes you do not pass or those you quit.

Completion Policy

• If you fall behind but are doing your best, we will support your effort 100%! We will encourage you to keep it up and complete the course to the best of your ability.
• Should you be unable to keep up with the group due to physical injury or other health problem(s), we will go above and beyond to assist you by aiding in your mobility, administering hydration and personal motivation! Should those efforts fail, leaving you unable to complete the course, we will need to ask you to leave the school grounds.
• If you (tap out) quit at any point, a helper will be assigned to aid you in packing up your gear and you will need to exit the school grounds.

Disclaimer:
Please make sure you take all gear with you at the end of the class. If gear is left behind, we will not be able to ship it to you, and will be considered abandoned. 

Due to property insurance restrictions: There will be no camping on the school property prior to the start of the class or after the classes conclude.

Each class is instructed by highly trained and professional outdoor/wilderness instructors. Each instructor teaches the Pathfinder School system and is authorized by Dave Canterbury. Instructors, including Dave Canterbury, can vary class to class.

About our School:

• Fully Insured
• Red Cross Certified Training Facility
• EMT’s and Paramedic’s on Staff
• AED on Location 
• Epinephrine on Location
• Instructors are CPR and Wilderness First Aid Red Cross Certified 
• Low Student to Instructor to create a Pedagogy learning environment. 
• Most Instructors either former Military, EMS, or LE
• Dave Canterbury is NASAR Advanced Search and Rescue Certified 
• Dave Canterbury is Certified Expert Trapper by Fur Takers of America and a Certified Intermediate Herbalist by the Herbal Academy International School of Herbal Arts and Sciences
• All Instructors are equipped and licensed in HAM radio as well as PLB SAT comms for emergency communications away from classroom area.
• Training area is over 4500 Forested Acres