Cornell Cooperative Extension

Tompkins County
Two shelter tents made out of natural materials.

Learn how to put together a useful and cozy shelter.

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Primitive Pursuits: Survival Shelters

  • Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Shelter is considered the most important survival priority. We all need a warm, dry, safe place to rest and weather the storm. Every animal instinctively knows how to find or build the shelter it needs, so what would the most fundamental human shelter look like? What is the human “nest?”

This workshop provides hands-on instruction and practice in the building of an all weather shelter that can keep you warm and dry no matter what. It can be built without tools or rope from common natural materials in almost any environment. Get prepared for the unexpected or ditch the tent on your next wilderness adventure with this deep dive into survival shelter.

For ages 18+.

Skills covered:

  • Choosing good shelter locations
  • Identifying local natural materials used to build shelter
  • Building an all weather survival shelter
  • Tool use including: carving knives, saws, hatchets

Fee

$100 ($103.00 with credit card), includes a $50 non-refundable deposit

Learn More

https://primitivepursuits.com/earth-skills-for-adults/#winter-camp

Register

https://www.ultracamp.com/info/sessiondetail.aspx?idCamp=1259&campCode=PPC&idSession=589589

Location

4-H Acres
418 Lower Creek Road
Ithaca, NY 14850

Last updated November 4, 2026

 

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