Wilderness Survival Immersion Project

We are excited to start this program again in April 2024. We run this program every other year so don’t miss out! Now running one weekend a month From April- September. Weekends are 10AM Saturday to 4 PM Sunday.

In forging relationships with ourselves and the landscape, basic 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 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. 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 and end 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 have designed assignments will range from research to skills practice sessions and staff and students can be in contact in the midterm between each monthly weekend to update on progress, ask questions, and facilitate an at home learning curriculum. WSIP students tend to be self motivated and passionate about 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 unless you live close by.   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

Dates 2024

April 20-21
May 18-19
June 22-23
July 27-28
August 24-25

Survival Trip
September 21-25

Tuition And Registration
Early Registration Discounted Tuition: To receive the early registration discounted tuition of $1800, tuition must be received and paid in full by Dec 1st 2023.  March 30th 2024 is the normal registration deadline although this course will cap at 12 students and will be first come first serve.

Tuition: If tuition is not paid in full by Dec 1st 2023, tuition is $2000. A non refundable deposit of $500 is due with registration. Full payment of the balance is expected on the first day of class unless arrangements for a Payment Plan or VSAC Grant have been made at the time of registration. If we have not received 6 applicants March 30th we will not run the program.

Payment Plans: Payment Plans are available by request.
Payment Plan Policy: Please know that if you sign up for a payment plan and drop out midway through the course you are still responsible for the remainder of your balance. If you do not complete your payments on schedule late fees will be assessed.

Grants: Qualifying Vermont residents may apply for Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, (VSAC) non-degree grants. Wilderness Survival Immersion Project is divided into two terms, and two applications to VSAC are necessary if you desire a grant for each term. We suggest that you apply well before the beginning of the year for the first term Wilderness Survival Immersion Project, which begins in April. You must apply in June for a grant for the second term. Be aware that VSAC begins its funding cycle in June 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 $500.00 non-refundable deposit with your registration form. When the grant is issued at the start of the program and your tuition is fully paid, we will refund whatever amount of your deposit is in excess of the tuition. Students who receive a grant for the first term are responsible for the entire tuition regardless of attendance and regardless of the availability of a second-term grant. VSAC application forms may be obtained from Vermont Student Assistance Corporation: 1-800-882-4166 or write P.O. Box 2000, Champlain Mill, Winooski, VT 05404-2601, or on their website: VSAC Website