Practical Preparedness for an Uncertain World
Be Prepared. Be Self-Reliant. Be Ready for the Unexpected.
After years of requests from students, Pathfinder School is proud to introduce our Pathfinder Preparedness Course, a comprehensive approach to emergency preparedness built around the principles of self-reliance, practical knowledge, and proven skills.
This course combines years of experience, lessons learned from history, and selected skills from various Pathfinder School programs to help individuals and families become better prepared for emergencies ranging from everyday disruptions to long-term survival situations.
Whether you are just beginning your preparedness journey or have been preparing for years, this course is designed to help you establish priorities, recognize potential threats, develop realistic plans, and make informed decisions without breaking the bank.
Preparedness is not about fear. It is about having the knowledge, skills, equipment, and confidence to face uncertainty.
What You Will Learn
These are introductions to individual aspects of Preparedness and will be covered in 30-60 min per topic.
Throughout this course, we will explore the essential elements of preparedness, including:
- Emergency Planning: Preparing for 24-hour emergencies through long-term disruptions, situational awareness, risk assessment, and lessons from history.
- Water: Collection, purification, filtration, storage, rainwater harvesting, and emergency water treatment.
- Food: Emergency food storage, preservation, canning, freeze-drying, gardening, hunting, trapping, and off-grid cooking methods.
- Shelter: Shelter-in-place versus evacuation decisions, alternative heating, clothing systems, firewood processing, and emergency shelter solutions.
- Communications: Ham radio, GMRS, emergency signaling, navigation, and family communication plans.
- Alternative Power: Solar energy, generators, portable power stations, batteries, and other off-grid power options.
- Health & Hygiene: Emergency medical supplies, first aid, sanitation, medications, and family-specific needs.
- Security: Home security, personal protection, defensive preparedness, and financial resilience.
- Hazardous Environments: Preparing for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear emergencies, including protective equipment and decontamination principles.
- Off-Grid Living: Traditional hand tools, water pumps, homesteading, gardening, livestock, and practical skills for functioning without modern utilities.
- Family Preparedness: Household and workplace planning, vehicle preparedness, evacuation routes, getting home during emergencies, and protecting important documents.
A Practical Approach to Preparedness
The Pathfinder philosophy has always emphasized that knowledge weighs nothing and skills are more important than gear.
Rather than focusing on expensive equipment or unrealistic scenarios, we will discuss practical, affordable, and sustainable methods of preparedness that can be adapted to your personal circumstances, family size, location, and budget.
Our goal is to help you identify what you need, understand why you need it, and develop the skills necessary to use it effectively.
Who Should Attend?
This course is designed for beginners looking for a solid foundation, experienced preparedness-minded individuals wanting to identify gaps in their plans, families seeking greater security, and anyone interested in becoming more self-reliant. This is very low intensity class for everyone to enjoy.
You do not need to be an experienced survivalist to benefit from this course.
Who Do I Need to Bring?
You need only bring individual camping gear for this course along with food & snacks for the 4 days. There is no required gear list for this class.
The Pathfinder Difference
This is not simply a course about stockpiling supplies. It is about developing a preparedness mindset, understanding your priorities, and building a practical system that works for you.
From modern emergency technology to traditional skills that served previous generations, we will examine how to combine the best of both worlds.
The ultimate goal is simple: Prepare today so that you and your family are better equipped to handle tomorrow.
Join us at Pathfinder School and take the next step toward becoming more prepared, capable, and self-reliant.
Shipping Charges are calculated at checkout.
Within United States:
Packages are shipped via:
- UPS
- FedEx
- USPS for PO Boxes
Outside the United States:
Shipping charges DO NOT INCLUDE any duties, taxes, and/or import fees imposed by your country's custom and/or clearance offices.
We offer the following services to most areas:
- DHL Express
Frequently Asked Questions
What are your hours of operation? Customer Service is open 9am to 4pm EST Monday thru Friday (we are closed all major holidays)
Do you have a retail store? No, we are online only.
What time zone is your sales and promotions based on?
Eastern Standard Time.
Do you offer Rain Checks or Extend Promotional Prices?
No, sale prices are only available during the promotional period.
How do I cancel an order?
To cancel an order please call Customer Service at 317.791.8777 Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm (Eastern Standard Time). Once an order has been processed for shipment (meaning a label has been created), it cannot be canceled. Sending an email will not guarantee it will be canceled prior to shipping.
Can I add to an order?
If your order has not started to be processed through our shipping department, you can modify the order. However, you must call Customer Service at 317.791.8777 to make modifications. Once an order has started processing through the warehouse, it cannot be modified, only canceled.
What cards do you accept?
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, PayPal, Apple Pay.
Do you accept check or money orders?
Yes, we do. Make checks out to The Pathfinder School, and mail to:
Self Reliance Outfitters
6050 Churchman Bypass
Indianapolis, IN 46203.
If we do not receive your payment within 14 business days, your order will be canceled.
Are orders shipped insured?
Yes, all orders where product total equals $25 or more are shipped insured. For more information about the insurance and claim process, please click here.
How long does it take for an order to ship from the warehouse?
Orders typically take 2 to 3 business days to process through our shipping department. During the holidays or during high-volume order influxes, it may take up to 7 business days. UPS 2-DAY orders will be processed the next business day.
How long will it take for my package to arrive?
Once it leaves our warehouse, it will depend on the shipping option you choose.
What shipping options do you offer domestically?
Flat Rate
UPS Ground
UPS 2-Day
What international shipping options do you have?
DHL
To learn how to sign up, earn points, and redeem points, please click here.
Can I send it back for an exchange?
No, but you can send it back for a store gift to use towards your next purchase. Include a copy of your receipt or email confirmation and indicate what you wish to get as a store gift card. Return shipping is at your expense.
Send to:
Self Reliance Outfitters
6050 Churchman Bypass
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Attn: New Return
How will my refund be processed?
Domestic customers: Refunds (including canceled orders) will be processed by the original payment method or issued a store gift card if requested.
International customers: Refunds (including canceled orders) will be processed by the original payment method or issued a store gift card if requested.
Refunds on returned merchandise will be processed within 7 business days upon receipt of the returned merchandise.
Can I return an unwanted item?
You may return any unused item (in its original packaging) within 30 days of purchase for a full refund. Drop ship items are not returnable. Return shipping is at your expense.
Send to:
Self Reliance Outfitters
6050 Churchman Bypass
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Attn: New Return
What is the warranty on your products?
Most products (except PKS Knives & DIY Blanks) carry a 1-year warranty. View the Pathfinder Promise for our Pathfinder Stainless Steel gear - click here.
Does your PKS DIY Blanks have a lifetime warranty?
No, since they are a DIY item and an unfinished knife, blanks come with a 6-month warranty.
What is the warranty on PKS Knives?
All PKS knives (except DIY blanks) come with a lifetime workmanship warranty.
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