Basic Survival Classes

Course Details:

• Price: $500 (payment plans available starting at $45.13/month)
• Duration: 3 days, 2 nights (Friday through Sunday)
• Class Size: Limited to 20 students for personalized instruction
• Certification: 2.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
• Registration Deadline: 2 weeks before class start date

What You'll Learn in This Basic Survival Skills Course

This wilderness survival basics program focuses on practical, field-tested techniques using the Pathfinder School's proven system. You'll gain hands-on experience with essential survival skills that can save your life in emergency situations and help you live long-term in the wild:

• Fire Craft: Master multiple methods of fire starting in various weather conditions. Learn fire lay construction, tinder preparation, and how to maintain fire for warmth, signaling, water purification, and cooking.
• Shelter Construction: Build emergency shelters using natural materials and basic tools from the landscape. Learn to select optimal shelter locations and construct weatherproof structures. On your second night, you'll sleep in a shelter you build yourself.
• Water Collection and Purification: Learn to locate, collect, and purify water from natural sources. Master multiple purification methods and understand hydration strategies for emergency situations.
• Self-Aid and First Response: Develop essential first aid skills specific to wilderness emergencies. Learn to assess injuries, address immediate medical needs, and make critical decisions when professional help is hours or days away.
• Navigation and Terrain Assessment: Build competence with navigation across varied terrain. You'll complete navigation courses over ground that may be muddy or uneven, developing the situational awareness and decision-making skills that prevent emergencies before they happen.
• Mindset and Mental Resilience: Survival is as much mental as physical. Develop the psychological tools to stay calm, think clearly, and make effective decisions under stress.

What to Expect: Class Format and Structure

Hands-On, Field-Based Learning

This is not a classroom course. You'll spend the majority of your time outdoors on our 4,500-acre training facility, practicing skills in real wilderness conditions. The course follows the EDI teaching approach: instructors educate on techniques, demonstrate proper execution, and guide you as you imitate and practice until you're competent.

The pace is dictated by the students. If you don't give up on yourself, we won't give up on you.

Physical Activity Level

Be prepared for moderate to intense physical activity. You'll:

• Hike approximately 3-4 miles total over the weekend while carrying your gear (approximately 35 lbs)
• Walk segments of 1-2 miles throughout each day
• Collect sticks and other materials off the landscape for your projects
• Navigate courses over terrain which may be muddy or uneven
• Deal with the elements, whether hot, cold, rain, or snow
• Complete various timed exercises both individually and as part of a team

Basic doesn't mean easy. It means we’ll teach you the essentials for developing your survival skills, ensuring you have a strong foundation for your outdoor training.

The Challenge Night Experience

On your second night, you'll sleep in a temporary shelter you construct using techniques learned during the course. You'll have access to limited gear to simulate a real emergency scenario. No exceptions will be made unless you leave the course entirely.

What's Provided vs. What You Bring

What's Provided

• Access to our 4,500-acre forested training facility
• Port-a-Pots located approximately 400 yards from base camp
• Professional instruction from certified wilderness survival experts
• Potable water at base camp (bring containers to refill)
• Emergency medical support (EMTs and Paramedics on staff)
• AED on location
• Epinephrine on location
• Emergency communications equipment (HAM radio and satellite communications)
• Training materials and course curriculum
• Certificate of Completion or Training

What You'll Need to Bring

We offer a full detailed class gear list of basic class needed items. Here is a rundown of what you're responsible for bringing:

• Appropriate clothing for three days in the field (weather-dependent)
• Personal medications and first aid items
• Sleeping gear for two nights
• Food for three days
• Water containers for refilling
• Personal hygiene items
• Approximately 35 lbs total pack weight

Don't have your gear yet? Self Reliance Outfitters is dedicated to providing the best quality and most versatile items for your survival, preparedness, and self-reliance needs. Browse our basic gear collection to equip yourself properly before class, or contact us for guidance on building your kit.

For more information on what to buy check out our guide on essential survival gear.

Expert Instruction You Can Trust

Your safety and learning experience are our top priorities. Self Reliance Outfitters is a division of The Pathfinder School, LLC, and we're dedicated to providing superior quality training that assures the performance required for any outdoor experience.

Instructor Credentials

Our instructors bring real-world expertise from diverse backgrounds:

• Most instructors are former Military, EMS, or Law Enforcement professionals
• CPR and Wilderness First Aid Red Cross Certified
• Dave Canterbury is NASAR Advanced Search and Rescue Certified
• He is also a Certified Expert Trapper by Fur Takers of America and a Certified Intermediate Herbalist by the Herbal Academy International School of Herbal Arts and Sciences
• All instructors are equipped and licensed in HAM radio, as well as PLB SAT comms for emergency communications away from the classroom area
• A low student-to-instructor ratio creates an optimal learning environment for all levels

Each class is instructed by highly trained and professional outdoor/wilderness instructors. Each instructor teaches the Pathfinder School system and is authorized by Dave Canterbury. Instructors can vary from class to class.

Certification and Graduation

Patch Qualification (80% or Higher)

Students who complete all course requirements with 80% or higher proficiency receive:

• Official Pathfinder Basic Survival Class Patch
• Certificate of Completion signed by instructional staff
• 2.5 CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
• Eligibility to enroll in intermediate survival training courses

Course Completion and Patch Qualifi (Below 80%)

Students who complete the course but score below 80% and therefore did not meet the requirements of patch qualification receive:

• Certificate for completing the course
• 2.5 CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
• Certificate of Training signed by instructional staff

These documents note Continuing Education Units awarded.

Non-Patch Qualification Policy

When you enroll, it is fully expected that you intend to certify in Basic Survival by going for the patch.

If you fall behind but are doing your best, we will support your effort 100%. We will encourage you to keep it up and complete the course to the best of your ability.

Should you be unable to keep up with the group due to physical injury or other health problems, we will assist you by aiding in your mobility, administering hydration, and providing personal motivation. Should those efforts fail, leaving you unable to complete the course, we will need to ask you to leave the school grounds.

If you quit at any point, a helper will be assigned to aid you in packing up your gear, and you will need to exit the school grounds.

It is perfectly acceptable to complete the course without qualifying for the patch. Just let your instructor know that this is your desire.

Please Note: This class is the foundation. Without it, you may not pass higher-level classes. No refunds will be issued for classes you do not pass or those you quit. This policy maintains course integrity and ensures serious commitment from all participants.

Preparing for Success: Fitness Recommendations

As the premier school for self-reliance, our training exceeds that of any other school in the nation, so please take it seriously and take the time to physically prepare.

We highly recommend following the standard physical fitness guidelines for all Pathfinder Classes. Ideally, you should begin preparing 1-3 months in advance of this class, depending on your current physical condition.

• Hiking: Uneven terrain will provide the most benefit
• Walking: At least 3-5 times weekly for 5K
• Load carrying: Work your way up to a pack weight of 50 lbs before the class begins

Medical Considerations

If you suffer from a medical condition that requires medication, please bring your prescribed medicines with you.

Critical: If you undergo surgery or a hospital stay within 30 days of the class, DO NOT attempt this course. Your safety is paramount.

Important: Regardless of your experience or skill level in the woods, the Basic class is intense and is the foundation from which all Pathfinder School classes are built. Physical preparation dramatically increases your success rate and enjoyment.

Important Policies and Requirements

Age Requirements

• You must be 13 years or older to attend this class
• Any student under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult registered with that class
• Young adults aged 13 to 17 must still pay full price
• If your child is left in camp repeatedly or left alone to be cared for by staff, you may be asked to leave the class
• If you bring a minor that is not your child, you must have a signed Emergency Care Authorization form filled out by that child's parent or legal guardian (reference your confirmation email for this document)

Property and Safety Policies

Due to property insurance restrictions, there will be no camping on the school property prior to the start of the class or after it concludes. We do not allow anyone to remain at camp without an instructor present.

Please make sure you take all gear with you at the end of the class. If gear is left behind, we will not be able to ship it to you, and it will be considered abandoned.

Class Logistics

Click here for meeting location details.

For information about cabin rentals, if you prefer accommodations beyond the on-site camping experience, explore what else we offer.

Our cancellation policy is detailed on this page.

Do I need previous outdoor experience to take this basic survival skills course?

No. This basic survival class is designed for beginners, experts, and everyone in between. We teach foundational skills from the ground up and adjust pacing based on student needs. However, basic physical fitness and mental preparedness are important for success.

What if I can't keep up physically during the course?

We support every student who gives honest effort. If you're trying your best but struggling, we'll encourage and assist you with mobility, hydration, and motivation. If physical injury or health problems make completion unsafe, we'll help you exit safely. The key is honest communication with your instructors and not giving up on yourself.

Can I participate if I have physical limitations?

This course requires moderate to intense physical activity including hiking 3-4 miles with a loaded pack (approximately 35 lbs), gathering materials, and working outdoors in variable weather. If you have concerns about specific limitations, contact us before registering to discuss whether the course is appropriate for your situation.

What happens in bad weather?

The class runs in all weather conditions, whether hot, cold, rain, or snow. This is intentional. Emergencies don't wait for perfect weather, and learning to deal with the elements is part of wilderness survival basics. Come prepared mentally and with appropriate gear for the season.

Is food provided during the 3-day course?

No. You're responsible for bringing your own food for three days. This is part of your preparedness planning and allows you to accommodate personal dietary needs. Food requirements will be outlined in your gear list.

What's your cancellation and refund policy?

Please review our detailed cancellation policy. Generally, no refunds are issued for classes voluntarily quit or not passed. Register only when you're fully committed to completing the course. The deadline to register is 2 weeks prior to the class start date.

Is this course required for advanced training?

Yes. The Basic Survival Class is the mandatory foundation for all higher-level Pathfinder School survival training courses. Without it, you may not pass on to higher-level classes. You cannot enroll in Intermediate survival training without completing Basic first.

How far will I need to hike during the course?

You can expect to walk roughly 3-4 miles over the course of the weekend. Most of this will be in segments of 1-2 miles. You'll be carrying your gear (approximately 35 lbs) as well as materials for projects, most of which you will collect off the landscape.

What if I need to use the bathroom during training?

Port-a-potties are located approximately 400 yards from the base camp near the parking area. This is part of the realistic training environment.

Where can I refill my water bottles?

Water will be available from jugs located in base camp. We continually check the water supply to make sure it is readily available. Bring adequate water containers to refill throughout the day.

What makes Self Reliance Outfitters different from other survival schools?

Self Reliance Outfitters is a division of The Pathfinder School, LLC, and we're dedicated to providing the best quality and most versatile items for your survival, preparedness, and self-reliance needs.

We're experts in the field who offer both high-quality gear and classes. Our training facility spans over 4,500 forested acres, we maintain a Red Cross Certified Training Facility with professional insurance and emergency response capabilities, and we serve both the hardcore survivalist and the weekend adventurist. 

Our training assures the performance required for any outdoor experience.

Will Dave Canterbury be teaching my class?

Instructors can vary from class to class. Some may include his instruction, but all of our instructors are highly trained professionals who teach the Pathfinder School system and are authorized by Dave Canterbury. You'll receive expert instruction regardless of which instructor leads your session.

What if I want to continue my training after Basic?

We’re happy to help with continuing in your training. Once you complete the Basic Survival Class, you'll be eligible to enroll in intermediate survival training and other advanced Pathfinder School courses. Visit our survival training courses page to explore the progression of skills available to you.