WILDERNESS SURVIVAL 101

Lead Instructor: BUSHCRAFT KELSO

BEGINS 9:00 AM SATURDAY

ENDS 2:00 PM SUNDAY

Overnight camping is covered by insurance and included with class registration, however, this only covers evenings between the class’ start and end. With your registration students can arrive on site as early as 7:30 AM to set up camp and must leave on Sunday.

Students ARE ALLOWED to stay on site before and after the class ONLY if a Field Camping reservation is purchased on Georgia Bushcraft’s HipCamp booking platform for a fee.

Please contact courses@georgiabushcraft.com  for any questions relating to this course.

Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

This course is designed for 20 participants total.

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Survival Priorities And The Survival Mindset

• Emergency Fire Building And Heat Retention

• Natural Shelter Construction Techniques

• Water Sourcing, Collection, And Purification

• Wilderness Navigation And Getting Unlost

• Knife, Saw, And Cutting Tool Safety

• Practical Campcraft And Outdoor Living Skills

• Risk Management And Wilderness Decision Making

• Hands On Survival Scenarios And Field Exercises

• Building Confidence And Self Reliance In The Outdoors

Suggested Items:

• Camp Chair for Comfort
• Tent or Hammock with preferred sleep system
• Headlamp with Spare Batteries
• Proper Clothing for Season and Weather
• Leather Gloves for Camp Chores
• Combination Tool like a Leatherman or SAK for Camp Chores
• Cookware and Stoves for the Meals and Snacks you provide
• Water Container with Lid
• Hydration/Electrolyte Packs
• Hygiene Items
• Bug Spray
• Sunscreen
• Notebook and Writing Utensils

GEAR WILL BE PROVIDED by Bushcraft Kelso for this course!

If you choose to bring your own tools, then below is what is recommended and not required!

Optional Gear List:

• Knife (Preferably Full-Tang with 90º Spine)
• Ferro Rod
• Single Walled Stainless Water Bottle

Our Address: 1150 Carruth Rd Watkinsville, GA 30677

SEE MAP

Classes are held on a private, 30+ acre property located approximately 90 minutes from Atlanta Airport and 20 minutes from Downtown Athens.

On Carruth Road, turn right down the second driveway next to the large barn and blue dumpster.

Participants can park along the woodline near the red gate straight ahead.

Class instruction will be held at Basecamp, which is located 200 yards past the gate.

Overnight camping is determined by the instructor and is subject to change, however, setting up in the main field or the woods near Basecamp is common. You may leave your vehicle near the entrance or relocate it to your camp.

Downtown Watkinsville is located within a 20 minute drive from the farm with major conveniences (grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, hotels, etc.) nearby.

Please check out our store, Outpost Oconee, in Downtown Watkinsville for more information about our events as well as shop for additional gear and local goods.

In addition to the store, travel across the street to the Blind Pig Tavern and try our signature burger, the Outpost!

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE:

All students must read, agree, and sign our Liability Waiver prior to arriving on site.

Be sure to check out our FAQ Section on our site HERE.

REFUND POLICY:

No refunds are available if you cancel any in-person event within 30 days of the event date. Your tuition can be applied to a future class within 365 calendar days from the scheduled event if you need to postpone. We will do our best to accommodate your future class requests but there is no guarantee there will be space for the event you would like.

Sleeping Arrangements:

Students are not required to stay on site, however, overnight camping is encouraged to deepen social bonds around the fire.

Students can set up their tents or hammocks along the woodline in the field (suggested) or in the woodland area near the classroom. 

Overnight camping is covered by insurance and included with class registration, however, this only covers evenings between the class’ start and end. With your registration students can arrive on site as early as 7:30 AM to set up camp and must leave on Sunday.

Students ARE ALLOWED to stay on site before and after the class ONLY if a Field Camping reservation is purchased on Georgia Buschraft’s HipCamp booking platform for a fee.

Restrooms:

There is a Port-A-John along the woodline near Basecamp for use.

Food:

Food is not provided so students are required to bring their own meals and snacks for consumption. 

There are scheduled breaks for meal times. Everyone usually gathers around the campfire during mealtimes, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for fellowship. 

If you have a cooler, we recommend filling it with ice to store perishable items to keep everything fresh and ready to enjoy.

Students should still inform the instructor of any critical food allergies if any.

Terrain:

The property is rich in resources with varying tree species on top of a diverse range of edible and medicinal plants. 

There are deep creek beds that can make navigating for some difficult. Participants should be mindful of their physical limitations and potential for mechanical injury when navigating off the trails. 

The trail into the woods is a worn down dirt path so vehicles can risk getting trapped. Those driving sedans or 2WD vehicles are not recommended to pass.

Cell Coverage:

Cell service is reliable except for some T-Mobile users where reception is rare, but can sometimes receive signal.

WiFi is available near the farm house for emergency use.

Water:

We suggest bringing plenty of water for hydration, cooking, and hygiene. 

Potable water is available on site near the farmhouse and also near the shower stall next to Basecamp.

There is a single outdoor shower stall that is usable barring certain weather conditions.

Power:

There is no external power source available for students. Participants should bring their own power stations or chargeable units for cell phones, head lamps, etc.

Trash:

There is a trash can available in Basecamp and a dumpster along the driveway.

Please respect this land and “leave no trace.”