Wilderness Survival Workshop
Next workshop will be early fall 2022 at Pleasant Grove Park, Palmyra Va. 22963
You're without daily necessities, caught in an urban/natural disaster; could you survive for a week or more using nothing but a knife and the supplies that nature provides ? With the knowledge gained in this workshop and some practice on your part, you should be able to make it indefinitely until help arrives.
This workshop will cover the four skill-sets listed below that are required to keep us alive; we will also discuss the mental/emotional aspects of survival. Darwin said: "It isn't the strongest or most intelligent that survive, it is those that are most adaptable to change." Being in good physical shape will help you, but attitude, discipline, and practice are a must. Learning these skills is no doubt a confidence booster for anyone who masters them.
This workshop is a marriage of Primitive Technology and Wilderness Survival. It is my favorite because you do things and make things that will stay with you the rest of your life. It is an especially good workshop for those of you who lead outdoor classes, hikes, floats or participate in any outdoor activity where you could be without support for days at a time. This workshop is about primitive survival skills but it will also cover modern equivalents for each skill set, I would rather you be alive than a purist !
The four basic skill sets that we'll cover:
SHELTER The class will make a shelter, made with natural materials and with no tools, that will keep you alive down to +10 degrees.
WATER We will discuss how and where to find water and show ways to collect and purify it. Some natural containers will be shown and I will show how to burn out your own container.
FIRE We'll start out showing several fire setups that I feel work best and discuss fire pit specs and location. Friction fire will be made with the bow drill, pump drill, and hand drill. We'll discuss all the native trees and plants that are suitable for fire boards, spindles and tinder bundles. Materials will be supplied for your own personal bow drill setups that you will make in class and there will be plenty of time for hands on practice. We will also go over the more common, modern methods of starting fires and which ones I feel are best for your outdoor/BOB/EDC bag.
FOOD There will be a discussion of the major food groups that are in the wild. Traps, snares and throwing/digging sticks will be demonstrated. We'll walk and sample/identify some of the local wild edibles and discuss their utilitarian uses.
CORDAGE Finally, to 'tie' everything together, we will make cordage from natural, native materials.
My guarantee, if you don't feel that you got $75 worth of knowledge from this workshop I will refund in cash at the end of the day.
This will be a busy, hands-on workshop that runs from 9AM to 4PM. All materials will be provided for making your own bow drill setup. Please wear appropriate clothes and bring food, water and a sharp knife. Completed bow drill and pump drill setups will be available for purchase. The next Primitive Technology/Wilderness Survival 101 will be early fall 2022 at Pleasant Grove Park in Fluvanna County, Va. 22963. This workshop can also be held at a location/date of your choice with a minimum of 6 attendees.
Class size is limited to 12 students (age 12 and older w/guardian, please email for any questions ) and the cost is $75 per student.
