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Wilderness Survival Immersion
A Year of Mentored Field Training

One-weekend-a-month, Fall to Spring wilderness survival course!

Join our learning community for intensive nature connection and outdoors skills training. Train in wilderness survival with experienced Trackers mentors. Build shelters, find water, make fire without matches, forage for wild foods, and much more! This program develops hands-on skills through immersive experiences in forest craft across the seasons.

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Wilderness Survival Immersion

This program is a 9-month intensive that teaches essential outdoor skills. Learn Wilderness Survival, Tracking, and Stealth with a community of like-minded peers. Led by experienced Trackers Guides, you receive hands-on training in the following core skills:

Wilderness Survival: Build shelters for short- and long-term wilderness survival. Source and purify water. Make fire in wet conditions without matches. Identify and harvest wild foods responsibly. Develop judgment of what to do, when to do it, and why.

Tracking & Wayfinding: Discover the timeless art of tracking and wilderness navigation. Follow wildlife such as elk, bobcat, fox, and more as you trail them. Hone your skills to identify, interpret, and follow sign of both animals and humans.

Stealth & Awareness: Hone your awareness in nature by blending in. Learn to live and travel lightly on the land. Practice the art of camouflage to stay hidden in the landscape. Train to move quietly and become invisible in the forest when needed.

Need a shorter, single-day option? Try our 1-day Wilderness Survival Basics!



Our Year

Through both weekend camping overnights and single field days, the core of this program is time training skills outdoors in all seasons.

Weekend Campouts Two in fall and two in spring. Camp outside. Cook over fire. Refine shelters and practice awareness in stealth scenarios. Build confidence and community through shared challenge and connection.

Field Saturdays Five monthly Saturdays, December through March. Seasonal training in tracking, foraging, firecraft, water systems, and plant knowledge. Develop practical winter skill through steady practice outdoors.

Our Place

Trackers field sites can include our private 351-acre wildlife park and our 102-acre farm and forest. When conditions call for it, we may train closer to home—working in studios and nearby natural areas to refine tools, crafts, and systems that support wilderness living. An optional shuttle is available from SE Portland. Many participants coordinate carpools as the community develops.

Our Mentors

You train with experienced Guides who practice these skills year-round. Instruction is direct, practical, and grounded. Low student-to-guide ratios allow for personal coaching and measurable growth over time.

  • Experienced mentors in wilderness survival and forest craft.
  • Low student-to-guide ratios for focused instruction.
  • Background-checked, with First Aid & CPR certification.
  • Trained in outdoor safety and the Trackers Earth curriculum.


Choose Your Schedule

Field Days: 5 total, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Camping Overnights: 4 total, Friday - Sunday

We offer make-up days for weather-related postponements.

Schedule



SCHEDULE - Wilderness Immersion

  • September 11-13, 2026 - Camping Overnight
  • October 2-4, 2026 - Camping Overnight
  • October 24, 2026 - Field Saturday
  • November 21, 2026 - Field Saturday
  • January 9, 2027 - Field Saturday
  • February 6, 2027 - Field Saturday
  • March 6, 2027 - Field Saturday
  • April 9-11, 2027 - Camping Overnight
  • April 30-May 2, 2027 - Camping Overnight



Frequently Asked Questions

Does this program require prior experience?
No, it can be useful for students to be familiar with Trackers or bushcraft activities, but all skill levels are welcomed!

What are the sleeping accommodations?
Students bring their own 3-season sleeping bag, pad, and tent—we provide equipment recommendations if needed. Almost all activities take place outdoors. This is an authentic camping experience.

What kind of meals are served?
Trackers provides the Saturday community dinner. Breakfasts and lunches are the responsibility of the student—outdoor cooking facilities are provided. Depending on the season and program logistics, food may be cooked over an open fire or on propane camp stoves. Meals feature menus common to overland expedition kitchens, for example, hearty stews. Please note that if you have specific dietary restrictions, you may need to bring your own dinner due to the rugged nature of this program. We might eat food we have butchered, foraged, or processed from the wild.

What gear should we pack?
We provide recommendations for the ideal camping kit (Gear & Clothing) to outfit you to camp in all weather. The camping kit you assemble will include a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, outdoor clothing, and other personal gear. Before the program begins, we send you packing recommendations with links so you can stock your kit efficiently and cost-effectively.

What am I getting myself into?
Our foundation is built on deep outdoor skills, best learned through rigorous training comparable to, if not more comprehensive than, martial arts. Such training demands focus and diligence from the student. The practice of ecological thinking, particularly in animal tracking, cultivates an ability to understand complex systems and the workings of the world, fostering humility, patience, and strategic thinking.

What is the role of program mentors?
Our program mentors are among the best at Trackers, responsible for directing and developing the curriculum and logistics for our field days. They adapt their mentoring to each team, regularly checking in to gauge the well-being of students in the program. They are readily available for advice on skills, independent study locations, or updates on your progress.

Have Questions?

For any questions, please feel free to contact our Family Success team.

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