Fall Wilderness Survival Basics

“The instructors were knowledgeable, engaging and friendly. It was wonderful to spend time here on this land with these kind folks.”

– Hannah H.

This course is a hands-on introduction to the skills and knowledge necessary to live through a short-term wilderness survival situation. If you have the survival skills and experience to survive at least 72 hours, then you have a much greater chance to find your way out of the woods OR be located by search and rescue.

Topics will include essential survival gear, survival priorities, and most importantly, how to maintain an upright mind.

You will learn these crucial survival skills:

• Building a fire
• Making a life-saving shelter
• Purifying water
• Navigation
• Wild edible foods
• Creating your survival kit

Anyone who enters the wilderness will benefit from having these basic, but important, survival skills.

Program Logistics

Class will take place at our school’s 40-acre property from 9am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday. No food provided. Participants will be out in the field all day and will need to dress accordingly. While the class isn’t overly strenuous, we will be hiking about 1-2 miles over the course of the weekend. Students will need to be able to carry food, water, and gear with them throughout the day – preferably in a backpack with a hip belt.

Camping is available Saturday night on our campus. To register, select “Optional Camping” under the Additional Options section during the registration process. Camping is at your own risk and available only for Saturday. Potable water and porta-potty access are provided. More details will be provided in the Program Details upon registration.

A knife is recommended for the class. Fixed blade knives may be purchased during registration ($20-35 depending on the model).

Meet Your Instructors:

Samuel Bowman

Samuel Bowman joined the WAS staff in 2012 after completing The Immersion at Wilderness Awareness School and The Immersion Leadership Program. He grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Western Virginia on his families’ dairy farm. From solo wanderings on the farm’s 600 acres to working on the farm with the family, Sam discovered a connection and respect for the land and all that are supported by it.

He spent many summers participating in, leading and directing summer camps. From his home church camp in Virginia to a disability camp in Iowa. Along the way learning and having a blast camping, rock climbing, canoing, horseback riding, white water rafting and whatever else campers were interested in doing.

Sam graduated from Bridgewater College with a degree in Philosophy and Religion. While there he continued his exploration of the world by spending a semester in India and visiting Europe, the Middle East, Nigeria, and the Caribbean. Always adding to his understanding of how others live and view the world.

Sam loves working with his hands. He enjoys wood working and teaching classes of wheel thrown pottery and animal butchering. He feels blessed to now be in a community where all of his passions and interests can be fed, used, and valued.

Siana Stutchbury

Siana grew up in a beautiful indigenous forest on the outskirts of Nairobi, in Kenya. She spent much of her childhood exploring the natural world with her family, going on epic camping trips, gardening with her mum and riding bikes with her brother. Growing up with a deep reverence for the planet, she always felt a deep desire to protect the more than human inhabitants who share the planet with us. 

After teaching English in Spain for a year, Siana came to Duvall to participate as a student in The Immersion in 2016. She has since spent 2 years with the Adult Nature Instructor Training in the Immersion, and 1 year with Wild Within 2 in the Youth Nature Instructor Training. 

Siana loves her curiosity and how she connects with the natural world through it. She loves biking—especially overnight trips, reading novels, sneaking, crafting, and learning more about Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.