This program is an intensive practical course which will allow you to practice and build on the skills you learned in the Novice 1 program. Continuing from the Novice 1 program, you will learn how to set up different types of fire by using different methods, work on navigation and orientation, find and make water safe and how to make the most of the natural resources in your environment. Bushcraft skills are essential to wilderness survival, so you will further your skills with bushcraft tools. You can practice these skills on your own, but this program allows you to practice your outdoor life skills with support and guidance from our instructors, ensuring correct techniques are used. Even though there is an emphasis on practical skills, you will still enhance your theoretical background on survival and bushcraft skills, and we continually challenge your critical thinking. You will practice identifying survival priorities and build plans of surviving in different situations. Making use of nature’s resources as harmlessly as possible is our priority. Thus, during our programs, not a single tree is damaged. The Novice 2 – Practical Outdoor Life and Bushcraft Skills program illustrates how to use natural materials without disturbing nature at the same time.
Context of the Program
Novice 2 is a focused, skill-intensive training program that builds on the foundation from Novice 1. This program emphasizes two of the most critical wilderness survival priorities: fire and water. Through hands-on learning and detailed instruction, participants gain the confidence and practical experience necessary to maintain safety and comfort in the outdoors.
You will explore:
- Safe and effective use of saws and axes for wood processing
- Techniques for cutting, splitting, and harvesting firewood
- Fire lighting methods using modern and traditional tools
- How to build and maintain fire in challenging weather conditions
- Introduction to friction fire (bow drill fundamentals)
- Creating sustainable fire lays for heat, cooking, and signaling
- Strategies for finding, carrying, and conserving water
- Water purification methods, including filtration and boiling
- Practice with natural and improvised water containers
- Understanding the role of fire and water in extended survival
- Further development of safe tool handling and field awareness
- Exercises that build muscle memory for real-world application
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.
Requirements
- Clothes fit for the weather conditions. If it is rainy, you should wear a rain jacket and pants. There is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing
- Hiking boots/shoes
- Work gloves (leather work gloves recommended)
- Eye protection
- Notebook and pencil
- Bring water and a packed lunch
- Any personal items such as anti-allergy medication, sunscreen or insect repellent
- A backpack to keep all your items in
- Your backpacking gear, if you have it.
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
$450 per person (all required tools are included), plus 5% GST.
