This survival program focuses on implementing knowledge and skills from the Outdoor Life and Bushcraft Skills programs. Completion of the Novice 1 – Outdoor Life and Bushcraft Skills course is required. The Living in the Wilderness & Bushcraft Skills course will allow you to learn intermediate wilderness bushcraft knowledge and skills. You will practice how to prioritize survival preferences and how to think and behave in unexpected situations. With professional support, this program will allow you to do the following activities independently: build a one-night shelter and a comfortable bed, practice essential knots, develop fire lighting skills, look for water and make it safe to drink, use a compass and maps for navigating in unknown areas, and how to signal for help and rescue. It is only by doing these things yourself that you will develop your skills. If you want to increase your confidence of staying in the wilderness at night, this program is for you. The course will dramatically improve your ability to subsist when presented with unexpected and/or dangerous situations in the wilderness. Your skills of replacing equipment with knowledge will let you thrive in the wild environment.
During the program, participants will walk around 3-4 kilometres carrying their gear (approx. 30-40 lb). All participants should expect to deal with the elements: cold, heat, rain, wind, snow, etc.
Please, take the preparation for this program seriously. The program contains simulations of unexpected situations during your outdoor activities. We highly recommend physically preparing yourself. Hiking around 5 km, 2-3 times per week or running every second day for 2 weeks before the program is a great idea. From the Novice 1 – Outdoor Life and Bushcraft Skills program you already know how crucial physical and mental conditions are in unexpected situations.
Context of the Program
This 32-hour immersive training is designed to apply and strengthen all the core survival and bushcraft skills learned in Novice 1 and 2. Held in a true wilderness setting, it includes an overnight stay, giving participants the chance to test their readiness and operate independently in real outdoor conditions.
While the program itself runs over two days and one night, its purpose is to prepare you to survive for up to 72 hours in the wild—safely, confidently, and without reliance on modern comforts.
Beyond physical skills, this course emphasizes developing critical thinking, adaptability, and the ability to plan 10 steps ahead. You’ll build the mindset needed to manage challenges before they escalate, anticipate risk, and take control of your environment rather than simply reacting to it.
You will explore:
- Implementing all survival priorities in realistic conditions
- Constructing and sleeping in a functional wilderness shelter
- Cooking over an open fire with natural materials and minimal tools
- Practicing advanced fire-making techniques in poor weather
- Executing real-world navigation exercises
- Field-testing your personal gear and understanding its true limitations
- Developing decision-making and adaptability in changing conditions
- Strengthening muscle memory through hands-on, repetitive practice
- Working in small teams and building outdoor leadership skills
This program takes a deep dive into core survival skills that are essential not only for emergencies, but also for anyone looking to become more confident, capable, and self-reliant in nature.
Location
The Outdoor Life and Bushcraft Skills program is located in Metchosin on Vancouver Island. The address is 1258 Neild Rd, Victoria, BC, Canada.
Prerequisites
- The minimum age of participants is 17 years old. All participants under the age of 19 have to be accompanied by their guardians.
- Completion of Novice 1 – Outdoor Life and Bushcraft Skills is required (Novice 2 is recommended but not mandatory).
Requirements
- Tools:
- Fixed blade (non folding) knife with 90 degree spine, 4”- 6” length (MORA BUSHCRAFT BLACK or MORA GARBERG are recommended)
- Folding saw (BAHCO LAPLANDER or SILKY saws are recommended)
- Clothes fit for weather conditions:
- Durable rain jacket, pants and extra layers
- Hiking boots
- Work gloves (leather work gloves are recommended)
- Eye protection
- Fire:
- Lighter (BIC lighter is recommended)
- Ferrocerium rod at least 3/8” x 2 2/8” but preferably ½” x 6”(LIGHT MY FIRE is recommended)
- Shelter / emergency cover:
- Tent/hammock or tarp (5×7 ft, 7×7 ft, or 10×10 ft)
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Mylar emergency blanket (XL Size)
- Cordage:
- Paracord 550 or survival paracord, 100 ft
- Bankline #36, 100 ft is recommended
- Water and cooking:
- Metal water bottle (single wall and wide mouth, NALGENE is recommended)
- Metal cup (single wall)
- Food:
- Adequate food and snacks. Food is not provided.
- Electrolyte drinks are recommended.
- Navigation and orientation:
- Non-lensatic compass with bezel ring, sighting mirror and magnifying lens (Suunto MC-2 is recommended)
- Smartphone with charged battery and with the free version of the app Gaia GPS downloaded
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Cargo:
- Backpack or shoulder bag
- Additionally:
- Notebook (waterproof notebook / journal is recommended)
- 2 pencils / all-weather pens
- Hygiene items
- Any personal items such as anti-allergy medication, prescriptions, sunscreen, or insect repellant.
All participants are required to have their own gear to complete the Intermediate level. All these items will be useful in your future. If you are going to be prepared for any unexpected situations in the wilderness, you need to practice using these items on a regular basis.
If you do not have the required items, you can buy or rent them in our online store. If you choose to rent, any rentals must be paid for in advance on the same day you book the program.
The program has two levels of qualification:
1) Certificate of Participation in the Intermediate level (signed by instructional staff and issued to every participant who participated in the program);
2) Certificate of Participation with badge signed by instructional staff and issued only to participants who pass skills tests. It is ABSOLUTELY FINE to participate in the course without qualifying for the badge. Only the instructor of the program decides whether the participant qualifies for the badge.
Banned activities
Drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana, bullying others, and illegal actions are unacceptable activities during all our programs.
Important notes
ONE WITH NATURE Corp. is not responsible for injuries. The use of knives, axes, and other tools constitute high-risk activities. If you damage yourself or others, ONE WITH NATURE Corp. is not responsible for the damage or lives lost. All our programs are for educational purposes only. ONE WITH NATURE Corp. strongly recommends taking out insurance prior to participating in our programs. Please speak to an insurance provider about the most appropriate type of insurance you need to participate in any of our programs.
Price
$600 per person, plus 5% GST.