As a former member of a Marine Corps Sniper Team, I spent many months in forests, deserts, and unpredictable environments.  The military survival instruction I received was critical to my success. And I want to share that knowledge with you! 

This course is geared towards 8-13 year-old students (though the content is appropriate for students of all ages).  All students are welcome to attend!

This 15-week course will include instruction in fieldcraft (forest/desert survival), urban survival, and overall situational awareness.   

The format of this course will be lecture, photographs, diagrams, and demonstrations--as well as discussion.  I will engage students by soliciting their experiences and by presenting "what if" scenarios for their consideration.  

During this course of study students will learn to master the following areas:  

SECOND SEMESTER TOPICS:--- You can do the semesters in any order or concurrently if you wish.  

Week 1:  Rule of 3's shows us we can survive 3 min without oxygen, 3 days without water and 3 weeks without food. But is it true?  I'll help you understand the rule of 3's because they depend on you and your situation.
 
Week 2: In this fieldcraft class, we will look how to build a functional raft as well as other flotation aids and the importance and proper use of matches.    
                
Week 3:  Foraging is the skill of obtaining food in a wilderness environment and includes wild vegetables, fruits, and critters.  We will look at the do's and don'ts of foraging--what you should and should not eat to survive.  
              
Week 4:  In this class we will identify and discuss plants that are deadly to humans.  These are plants you must be able to identify and avoid. 
               
Week 5:  To survive in the wilderness you will want a fire.   In order to have a fire you must have kindling.  If you cannot find kindling, you must make your own.  You will know how to do just that after this class.  
                
Week 6:  In this class we will identify and practice basic and advanced knots that will help you be a more effective survivalist.
          
Week 7:  In this class, I will show you different fire starting methods and burning of multiple types of tinders.  You will be able to start fires with many different types of tinders after this class. 

Week 8: Cold weather survival is extremely difficult.  Students will learn how to prioritize and survive when the temperature drops. 

Week 9:  It seems floods are happening more and more.  You will learn about different types of floods; avoidance; and how to survive if you get swept away.   

Week 10:  All about snares and traps.
              
Week 11:  Identifying animals in your area is essential to survival.  In this class, you'll learn  to identify predators and prey, as well as how to use animal tracks to survive or be rescued. 
            
Week 12:  In this class I will show you how to make your way through the wilderness with nothing but your wits.  You will learn to read the environment to determine which way to go---without a compass or map.  
               
Week 13:  Sometimes the best--and only--course of action is to ESCAPE!  Students will learn how to escape from multiple treacherous scenarios.
             
Week 14:  They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure--and they're right!  Students will learn about prevention and how to avoid making a tough situation worse.  
             
Week 15:  Scenario class.  In this last class of the term, you will put your skills to use problem solving ways out of difficult situations.  

For this course, no prior experience or knowledge is required.  My goal is for students to be empowered to overcome any obstacle or situation they may face in the wilderness.  

My teaching style is casual, humorous, friendly, positive, and socially neutral.  I understand students come from many various backgrounds.  I want the students in my class to be prepared to survive and thrive if things go bad--or if they experience a difficult situation.  I want to share my experience and training with them so they can take care of themselves and their loved ones.  With the know how presented in this class, they will be able to do so.  

Students will be encouraged to ask questions or seek clarification at any point during the instruction.  Such interaction is the best way for this specialized knowledge to be understood and absorbed.  

I solicit friendly participation from all students and have found that even the most stand-offish students eventually join in the weekly conversations with enthusiasm.  

I allow time during and after class for student questions.  If I go over the allowed time, no problem.  

Tags: 
Survival class 
Survival training 
Survival school 
Survival basics 
Survival education