Wilderness Skills Instructor Certification
Primitive Pursuits, in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension will be offering two Wilderness Skill Instructor Certification programs next spring, both during and after the 2012 spring semester. This course will cover a wide variety of primitive technology skills, naturalist skills and teaching methods.
Primitive Pursuits has been a local leader in the nature awareness movement for ten years, and our year-round youth programs currently serve over 800 participants annually. The skills to be gained by working with this program are highly valued in both traditional and outdoor education spheres.
Wilderness Skills Instructor Certification
Course Description
This program combines wilderness survival skills & bioregional knowledge with the most effective tools of mentoring. As part of a committed group that challenges, questions, explores, and plays together you will have many unique opportunities for personal & professional development. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate from Cornell Cooperative Extension reflecting up to 160 hours of dirt time and a demonstration of standard competencies valued in the fields of primitive technology and outdoor education.
Two course options:
Early Spring Track
16 weeks
Fridays 9am-3pm from March 2-June 15,
plus Sat. May 26 and two overnights: 3/9-3/10 & 6/14-6/15
Late Spring Track
4 week intensive
Tue, Wed & Fri 9am-3pm, Thur 2pm-8pm
from May 22-Jun 15
plus Sat. May 26 and two overnights: 5/31-6/1 & 6/14-6/15
MAKE CORE ROUTINES PART OF YOUR LIFE:
Naturalist Studies: sensory awareness, animal tracking, field identification, plant foods and medicines, bird language, forest forensics & hazard identification
Wilderness Survival: skills mastery of fire-building & friction fire techniques, tool crafting with stone and wood, shelters for survival and wilderness living,camouflage, aidless navigation, water purification & harvesting wild food beyond nuts and berries
To view photos of past trainings and the types of skills we will be working on check out our Wilderness Skills Instructor Certification photo album on Face Book.
Previous experience in wilderness skills or survival are not prerequisite for this program. This course is a great supplement to those enrolled in or graduating from a related degree program, as well as an ideal entry into the field of informal experiential education. Applicants should have a desire to spend a lot of time within a supportive, group-learning environment, as well as spending time sharing skills and passions with a wide range of people. It is important that you are physically able to endure playing rigorously in the woods for hours at a time. Please feel free to discuss with us any barriers you may have in order to participate.
