Elements of Survival

Elements of Survival is a three-part, hands-on wilderness skills series that teaches practical techniques for thriving outdoors, including building shelter, making fire, and finding and purifying water. Each 3 hour class focuses on a different set of survival techniques, blending practical “make and take” projects with outdoor instruction.

Classes begin at the corn barn, where participants may craft useful tools and learn foundational concepts, before taking a short hike into the woods to practice skills at the outdoor classroom. While geared toward a mature audience, students ages 12 and up are welcome when accompanied by an adult. Whether you join for one class or the full series, you’ll walk away with lasting tools, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in the outdoors.

November 8th - Water

In this class, you’ll learn how to find, filter, and purify water using both modern tools and primitive techniques. From building your own water filter to recognizing natural collection methods, this course will give you the knowledge and confidence to stay hydrated in the wild. Here's what to expect:

Make & Take Projects:

• DIY water bottle filter
• Solar still kit

Hands-On Skills:

• Using your handmade water filter and solar still
• Understanding LifeStraw basics
• Effectively using aqua tabs 
• Setting up a tarp rain catch
• Water boiling methods for disinfection
• Using bleach safely to purify water
• Filtering with a cloth 
• Drinking from moss
• Collecting water with bags over leafy branches

You’ll leave with your own water-purification projects and critical skills to locate, collect, and make safe drinking water in nearly any environment.

November 15th - Earth & Air

This class combines the grounding skills of Earth with the vital role of Air to teach you how to build shelter, work with natural resources, and use your environment to survive. From stone-boiled water to woodland shelters, you’ll gain practical skills that transform the wilderness into a place of resilience and home. Time in this class will be spent on the following:

Make & Take Projects:

• Bamboo bellows (to breathe life into your fires)
• Wooden cup (crafted with your own hands)

Hands-On Skills:

• Boiling water with heated stones
• Cooking meals on flat rocks
• Building a Dakota fire hole
• Constructing a woodland shelter from natural materials
• Using leaves for insulation and rain protection
• Crafting a cooking hook from a Y-branch
• Practical uses of dirt in survival situations

By the end, you’ll leave with handmade survival tools and a deeper connection to the earth beneath your feet and the air that fuels every fire and breath.

November 22nd - Fire 

Fire is one of the most essential survival skills—and one of the most rewarding to master. In this hands-on class, you’ll learn both practical fire-starting projects to take home and the fundamental techniques to confidently build, maintain, and use fire in the outdoors.

Make & Take Projects:

• Wax fire starter
• Ferro rod keychain, necklace, or bracelet
• Waterproof matches

Hands-On Skills:

• Breaking down firewood safely with a hatchet and knife
• Understanding the Rule of 3s in survival
• Choosing the right fire lay for cooking, warmth, and efficiency
• Identifying dry, ready-to-burn wood
• Striking a ferro rod to start a fire
• Making simple hooks for campfire cooking
• Cooking ash cakes over the fire
• Directing and reflecting heat with stones and fire placement
• Extinguish a fire completely and responsibly

By the end of this class, you’ll bring home your own custom fire-starting tools and gain the confidence to safely build and use fire in any outdoor situation.

Program Notes:

Items to Bring: A backpack, water, gloves, and a knife.

Arrival & Parking: Parking takes place in the field above the farmhouse. Plan to arrive 10 minutes early so we can begin the class on time.

Environment: This class will take place outdoors, rain or shine. Please check the weather in advance and dress accordingly. Be prepared for walking on uneven terrain and potentially muddy conditions. 

Cancellation Policy: 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. 

About the Instructor: Kaden Stetler of Stetler Survival

Kaden Stetler is a survival instructor and founder of Stetler Survival, a company dedicated to family emergency preparedness, wilderness skills, and outdoor living. His philosophy is rooted in his company’s motto: “Stay prepared and stay alive.”
 
Kaden’s path to survival training is shaped by a life of service. He first launched Rebel Cause, a Star Wars–themed nonprofit that harnessed fandom to raise funds for the homeless. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Kaden drew on his training as a chef to provide over 700 meals a week for children missing school lunches, unemployed families, and the homeless community—people he respectfully called his “guests.” His efforts expanded into leading a day shelter and eventually a night shelter in Lancaster, where he created safe havens rooted in dignity and empathy. His work earned recognition in newspapers and on television for his commitment to improving lives and strengthening community resilience.

 
Through Stetler Survival, Kaden now channels his experience into teaching others how to prepare for emergencies, adapt to uncertainty, and thrive in the outdoors. He believes survival skills are not only about wilderness living but about empowering families to face crises with confidence and unity. A devoted husband and father of two, Kaden passes down the values of situational awareness, resourcefulness, and preparedness to his children. His instruction blends technical expertise with compassion, inspiring others to stay safe, capable, and connected in a rapidly changing world.