Wilderness Survival Immersion Program

We are excited to start this program again in April 2026. We run this program every other year so don’t miss out! One weekend a month From April- September. Weekends are 10AM Saturday to 4 PM Sunday.

In forging relationships with ourselves and the landscape, wilderness survival in the wild is one of the most powerful tools. Roots invites you to reclaim the survival skills, wild life tracking, and nature awareness of all our human ancestors in this in depth course of study.

The Wilderness Survival Immersion Project is a six month journey into the world of wilderness survival skills, self reliance, bushcraft, and nature awareness. Real world application is our northstar.

The program consists of intensive immersion weekends focused around the arts of procuring and producing shelter, water, fire, and food. Tracking and awareness will be a running theme to be built upon during each weekend. The course begins with an introduction weekend and will intensify and focus throughout the year pushing students from beginners to competent  survival practitioners.

The program ends with a four night survival trip in which students will test their learning and find new lessons you can’t learn any other way.

Each weekend is roughly a month apart and the gap in between is an amazing opportunity for integration and at home learning. We provide a workbook with monthly assignments both in survival skills and naturalist education to help guide students learning and focus on the most important aspects of the landscape for survival.

All weekend meeting will be 10 AM Saturday through 4PM Sunday. These weekends are designed with Saturday evening and early Sunday morning activities and so we expect folks to camp out.   Meals are not provided for this course.  We have an outdoor kitchen for you to utilize to cook your own meals, along with potable water available and a wash station.

Curriculum:

Tracking and Awareness

Clear Print ID
Gait Studies
Sign Tracking
Naturalist Studies
Bird Language
Stalking and Camouflage

Shelter

Debris Hut
Group Survival Shelters

Water

Spring Identification
Water Purification
Primitive Water Vessels

Fire

Fire Structures
Fire by Friction- Bow Drill & Hand Drill
Fire as a Tool
Food

Wild Edibles and Tree Foods
Primitive Weapons
Hunting Techniques
Primitive Trapping
Primitive Fishing

Cordage
Flint Knapping Basic Stone Tools

Payment Information

Refund Policy: Tuition, minus the deposit is refundable up to one month before the beginning of the program.

Grants: Qualifying Vermont residents may apply for Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, (VSAC) Advancement Grants (Previously non-degree grants.) Be aware that VSAC begins its funding cycle in June and January of each year and awards grants on a first-come-first-serve basis while funds last. Please apply early!  Students who apply for VSAC grants are asked to submit a non-refundable deposit with your registration form. When the grant is issued at the start of the program, we will refund whatever amount of your deposit is in excess of the tuition.  VSAC application forms may be obtained from Vermont Student Assistance Corporation: 1-800-882-4166.