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Living off the Land - Week Long

Living off the Land - Week Long

Sold out
$250 - $500
$500
$250 - $500
$500
Description

Embark on an extraordinary journey with our "Living Off the Land" course, a transformative experience designed to deepen your connection with nature and ability to be self-reliant. Over an exciting week, you'll immerse yourself in the wilderness, engaging in hands-on learning and practical application of survival skills.

This comprehensive course encapsulates the essence of Nature Reliance School's teachings. Starting from a base camp, we'll explore the wilderness, honing skills in sourcing shelter, water, and food. As your abilities progress, you'll increasingly rely on the natural world to meet your needs, moving beyond mere survival towards thriving in nature.

At the core of this adventure is a shift in perspective - using our foundational survival knowledge as a springboard for growth. You'll delve into:

  • Expedient First Aid: While modern first aid is invaluable, what do you do when resources are scarce? We'll explore 'ditch medicine', learning to source and utilize natural medical supplies.
  • Navigation: Beyond map, compass, and GPS, enhance your navigation skills using nature's "three anchors": the sun, wind, and weather patterns.
  • Shelter: Discover and replicate the time-tested sheltering techniques of native peoples.
  • Water: Master various methods of water filtration, purification, and distillation for both short-term needs and long-term sustainability.
  • Food: Deeply explore edible plants and trees, and learn about sourcing animal protein using both primitive and modern methods. Note: Active hunting is not part of the course due to seasonal restrictions, but extensive study and practice are included.

This course isn't about throwing you into the deep end. We encourage you to bring your camping gear, along with enough water and food for the week. Our aim is to harmoniously use what the land offers, supplementing it with what we carry. This course is inclusive of all skill levels - from those who aspire to live entirely off the land to those keen on learning more about it. We foster a supportive environment, encouraging mutual learning and skill enhancement in living off the land. Join us for a week of growth, learning, and nature immersion at Nature Reliance School!

 

Course Gear List

Normal Practices and Gear Listing Requirements for Hands-on Multi-Day Classes

Class Normal Practices

  • Please bring your own camping equipment, food, and food preparation supplies.  A common hallmark of our classes is to share supplies when needed and sometimes even food.  This allows you to see how different pieces of equipment work and learn about new skills.   
  • Bring water for yourself.  A good guess is 1 gallon of water per person, per day you are there.  We will have extra if you underestimate your needs
  • No dogs allowed in any Nature Reliance School class. 
  • Unless otherwise noted in an email, please feel free to show up to weekend courses anytime after 4pm but NOT before. 
  • The exact location will be sent to those who register for a class.  For estimating travel before receiving those directions, please plan on driving to Frenchburg, KY.   
  • The recommended minimum age for this class is 13 years of age.  Younger children will be allowed only with special permission from the instructor cadre.  Please inquire at info@naturereliance.org.  
  • If you have any of our books and would like them to be signed, please bring them.  If you want to buy some for that purpose, then refer to this link.

Our Approach to Gear

Our approach to gear is simple.  For Level 1 classes we want you to be comfortable enough to make the learning experience as easy as possible.  For level 2 and above classes we want you to have increased your knowledge enough that you use less gear.  To save us some time in producing redundant listings for different classes, the following are our gear lists.  Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions:  info@naturereliance.org.

For all classes we will have loaner equipment for use.  However if you go ahead and purchase some of these recommendations you can practice with your gear to get a feel for it and our feedback on how to use it.  For each of these listings, we are offering you our recommended choice.  Nearly all purchases listed here serve to support Nature Reliance School.  So any purchase you make will continue to allow us to keep class costs low.  If you already have this gear, by all means, bring it and use and learn more of its pros and cons.  Please note when available, we have offered you a list of items that will help meet various budgets.  They are listed as good, better, best.  If you do not have the requisite equipment for class instruction you can borrow ours.  However we dont have extra camping (tent, hammock, sleeping systems) to borrow.  

Please also note that for level 1 classes, and others, where we have a basecamp setup.  You will be parking about 100 yards or so from where most people camp.  So plan on packing with that in mind.  You are also welcome to camp at your car but it is a more exposed area.  Once you register for class you will receive a follow up email that details the location so you can have a good idea of what to expect when you arrive and setup.  

General recommendations for all classes:

  • Notebook and pencil/pen, 
  • A clipboard or similar for stable writing platform.
  • Day Pack (Good, Better, Best)
  • Basic First Aid Kit (we always have an extensive first aid kit on site for more involved issues)
  • Water container (Bottle or Bladder) also bring 1 gallon of water for drinking and food prep for yourself.
  • Head Lamp or Flashlight
  • Camera for photos (cell phones welcome)
  • Bug spray and sunscreen
  • Weather-related gear, we train rain or shine.
  • Sleep system of your choice (hammock, tent or tarp).  NRS has very few extra items and you can borrow, please contact us early if you want some of these supplies as they go quickly.
  • Food and food-prep supplies (you are responsible for your own food and preparation of it)
  • Personal toiletries and water for your use.  There is an outhouse on site but no running water.
  • Camping/Lawn type chair
Additional Course Information

All participants must fill out a waiver before attending courses.  You can find the waiver at this link

Unless otherwise noted. Class times are as follows (all times are EST)

Weekend Courses:  Start time is 7pm on Friday, End time is no later than 2pm on Sunday

One Day Courses:  Start time is 9am, End time is no later than 5pm 

Week-Long Courses:  Start time is 12pm Monday - 12p Friday.

Cancellation, Refund, and Exchange Policy:

Registering for a class at Nature Reliance School signifies a commitment to attend on the scheduled dates. All tuition sales are final. We do not offer refunds or transfers for cancellations or no-shows within one week of the class start date. Transfers are available for cancellations more than 30 days before the class begins. In the rare event that we must cancel a course, participants are eligible for a full refund or credit. This policy is strictly enforced without exceptions.

Failure to attend a class without prior notification will result in forfeiture of any refund.

We recognize unexpected situations may arise, prompting a need to cancel. We'll strive to accommodate and mitigate any financial loss or inconvenience caused.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.