Students will gain hands-on experience with basic, pre-industrial, woodland-style survival skills/bushcraft. This includes gathering wild foods, building debris-huts, animal tracking, fire-making techniques such as hand-drill and bow drill, making basic hunting implements such as a survival bow and simple traps, and much more! These classes are being offered as stand-alone one-day workshops but as a group provide a well-rounded introduction into these skills. Discounted package for those signing up for the full five-class session.
If you would prefer to take this class in an immsersive format, we are also offering the series as a 4- day intensive with a separate registration available here.
This class is geared toward adults, but we welcome students 15 years or older. Students age 12-14 may register with paying adult.
Classes run Sundays from 9:00am-4:00pm.
10/1: The Art of Seeing and the Science of Observation: This class contains the building blocks for all other awareness and wilderness skills. Participants will learn to expand their observation skills by using all 5 senses to truly observe the wild. Includes awareness techniques, tracking, and more. If you're going to take only one of these classes, this is the one we recommend!
10/8: Shelter Building & Finding Water: Participants will build a shelter out of what nature provides. Using sound shelter principles, learn to craft your own wild home. The class also delves into safely collecting wild water and how to make unsafe water potable using nature’s toolbox.
10/15: Ancient Art of Fire by Friction: Participants will learn the ancient art of friction fire. Come learn how to be human, for the act of making fire and controlling flames have set humans apart from our animal kin. Aside from learning and practicing fire by friction techniques, this class will also delve into how to make a fire pit, how to maintain a fire overnight, and how to cook over open flames.
10/22: Foraging, Hunting, Trapping: This class is by far the one that students look forward to. Learn how to identify wild edible plants and create simple-yet-ingenious snares and dead-falls for catching wild meat. Additionally, students will learn how to use simple hunting weapons such as the throwing stick and the field expedient spear thrower.
10/29: Advanced Primitive Hunting Techniques: Participants will dive into the more technical aspects of hunting and trapping. Topics include survival bows, stalking with a weapon, making a hunting blind, and new deadfalls and snares not previously covered in Wilson's classes.
PREREQUISITE: Students signing up for this session must have taken Wilson's Foraging, Hunting, Trapping class in this or a previous session.
Preparedness for Class:
Students MUST be prepared to be outdoors in varied weather for extended periods. Students should come fully prepared participate in hands-on, outdoor activities. Things to bring:
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drinking water
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rain gear (in case of light rain)
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notebook
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writing utensils
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camera
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work gloves
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a sharpened carving knife
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a multi-tool
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sturdy water proof shoes or boots
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long pants
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sun protection
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layered clothing for temperature changes
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all-natural bug repellant (NO DEET)
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Students should bring their own lunch.
About the Instructor:
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Wilson Alvarez is a certified permaculture designer, inventor, gardener, skilled tracker, bowyer, nature-awareness instructor, and writer from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Since 2004, he has studied and taught classes and workshops on bio-intensive agriculture, regenerative technology, foraging, hunting, trapping, tracking, and wilderness survival. Wilson has studied through the Wilderness Awareness School via the Kamana program, and he received his Permaculture Design Certificate via Susquehanna Permaculture.
Health and Safety
This class will take place outdoors. Please check the weather in advance and dress accordingly. Be prepared for walking on uneven terrain and potentially muddy conditions.
All programs are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances including inclement weather. Participants will receive an email in the days preceding the program for any changes or cancellations. You can review our current Cancellation and Refund Policy here.
Parking takes place in the field above the farmhouse.
York, PA 17406
United States
| Wild Lands Immersion | |
| #4 Food - Foraging, Hunting, Trapping | $50.00 |
| #5 Advanced Primitive Hunting Techniques | $50.00 |