AVAILABLE COURSES
IN-PERSON LIVE COURSES 2024 >>>
Some skills aren’t meant to be learned from a book, or the internet. When it comes to what we do, there’s no subsitute for getting hands-on with a group of like-minded people under the guidance of a professional instructor. Whether you’re brand-new to the woods or a seasoned pro, we’ve got something for you. All courses are live and open for registration unless otherwise noted.
The Cherokee believed that the world of plants provided everything humans needed to live an abundant life – be it food, medicine, shelter, or clothing. They weren’t wrong. We’re in the middle of one of the most biologically diverse forests on earth, and it’d be a shame not to take advantage of it. Even in winter. In this 1-day course, you’ll learn how to identify and utilize over 20 common Eastern trees, plants, and herbs, learn which plants to stay away from, and how to make a variety of useful plant medicines – every season of the year.
Modern medicine isn’t inherently bad. If you have heart problems, nitro pills are pretty handy. Millions of diabetics owe their lives to synthetic insulin. The problem is that our society has bought into the lie that just because we have modern pharmaceuticals, the traditional plant-based medicines that our ancestors relied on for thousands of years are nothing more than superstition. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. There’s a whole world of natural remedies waiting for you to unlock, with just a little bit of knowledge. Come learn how.
Everyone thinks a medical emergency in the wild won’t happen to them. But as outdoor professionals, we can confidently assure you that given enough time in the woods, it can, and it will. And take it from us – you’ll want to be ready for that moment. Your training is what makes the difference of how that story unfolds. This weekend course will give you the tools necessary to make sure that when that day comes, you’ll have what it takes to come through.
Training standards in the medical community come and go, and best practices change over time. But there’s one thing that’s universally agreed upon: Immediate, high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation saves lives. CPR is a skill that should be as common as knowing how to drive – everyone needs to be well-versed in it. That’s even more true when it comes to outdoor enthusiasts who may be far from definitive care. Whether it’s your first time learning CPR or you’re refreshing your skills, you need this training.
Offroading? Check. Skeet & trap shooting? Check. Gourmet campfire meals and top-shelf bourbon? Check. Professional instruction on overland driving, camp cooking, firecraft, and more? Also, check. We’ve partnered with Peach State Overland and GOXPLOR Outdoors to bring you an unparalleled weekend experience on the trail, at the range, and around the campfire.
SUMMER 2023 MEN'S RETREAT - IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTHERN BONES OUTDOORS - RESCHEDULED, TBD
Throughout the Bible, men went to the wild to be nearer to God. From the prophets of the Old Testament to Jesus Himself, the greatest revelations often happen in the wilderness. Modern men should take note. Too often, despite its good intentions, the church doesn’t quite get men’s events right. So we decided to get back to the basics, and get outside the walls of civilization and into the woods, where men of God can be real with each other and with the Lord.
WILDERNESS SURVIVAL ESSENTIALS - AUG. 12
Ever wondered what skills you really need to survive in the wild when things go south? For every piece of sound advice, there are ten “killer survival hacks” that could, in fact, get you killed. Here’s the truth: Wilderness survival isn’t easy, but that doesn’t mean it has to be complicated. In this introductory course, lead instructor Alexander Bryant draws on a decade of experience in wilderness search & rescue to teach a hands-on, data-driven course based on real-life case studies of how ordinary people made it out alive – and you can, too.
Do you remember your first campout as a kid? Maybe it was in scouts. Or with your cousins on your grandparent’s farm. Or maybe, just in your backyard. No matter where it was, those memories still run strong. Roasting (or maybe burning) marshmallows, whittling sticks, telling stories around the campfire. And if you were lucky, you had an adult there who taught you the right way to do things – outdoor skills that stick with you to this day. Times have changed, but that doesn’t mean your kids can’t have those same great memories.
The Cherokee believed that the world of plants provided everything humans needed to live an abundant life – be it food, medicine, shelter, or clothing. They weren’t wrong. We’re in the middle of one of the most biologically diverse forests on earth, and it’d be a shame not to take advantage of it. In this 1-day course, you’ll learn how to identify and utilize over 30 common Eastern trees, plants, and herbs, learn which plants to stay away from, and how to make a variety of useful plant medicines.
Land navigation is the difference between being on a hike and being lost. Other than firecraft, there’s probably no skill that builds confidence in the wild quite like knowing your way around a map & compass. The rub is that this complex skill set is extremely difficult to learn from books or videos – there’s really no substitute for time in the field with a qualified instructor. In this 1-day course, you’ll get plenty of that – we’ll walk you through the basics of map & compass use, terrain association, measuring distance, and even how to navigate with no tools at all.
Ladies, tell us if this sounds like you: What should I take on my first backbacking trip? How do I stay safe outdoors, especially if I’m by myself? And most importantly of all… How do I pee in the woods? We’ve got you covered. Join our awesome slate of all-female instructors for one of our most popular classes as we answer these questions and much, much more.
Firecraft might just be the most important skill you can carry outside. If you’re going to get out there, you need to know it. Fire can save your life, cook your food, get you warm and dry. It’s a familiar friend on lonely nights in the woods, and brings stories out of people like nothing else. A good fire can turn a bad camping trip into a great memory. But there’s more to mastering this skillset than you might think.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON BUSHCRAFT - DEC 5
APPALACHIAN BROOMSEDGE CRAFTS
In the days of our pioneer ancestors, household goods were hard to come by. In the remote hills and hollers of Appalachia in times gone by, you didn’t just go down to the dollar store for a broom. Native broomsedge grass was the solution instead. Common, durable, and easy to work with, it makes for the most effective broom money can’t buy. In fact, some old-timers still say they’d rather have one handmade from broomsedge over one bought at the store.
The earliest archaeological evidence of knives dates back nearly half a million years. Like fire, blades are a part of who we are. In the outdoors, the knife is fundamental. But having it in hand isn’t enough – you need to know how to use it, and keep it working at its best. A dull knife is often worse than no knife at all – ineffective and dangerous. As a competent woodsman, there’s no excuse for not keeping your tools in top shape. Let us show you the right way.
Land navigation is the difference between being on a hike and being lost. Other than firecraft, there’s probably no skill that builds confidence in the wild quite like knowing your way around a map & compass. The rub is that this complex skill set is extremely difficult to learn from books or videos – there’s really no substitute for time in the field with a qualified instructor. In this 1-day course, you’ll get plenty of that – we’ll walk you through the basics of map & compass use, terrain association, measuring distance, and even how to navigate with no tools at all.
Mushrooms are special. There are few other things that are so common, yet so otherworldly. Maybe it’s the folklore surrounding them, but mushrooms always have a touch of the mysterious. They’re an amazing source of food and medicine, but many people are too intimidated to know where to start. You need expert guidance in a classroom setting to get you off on the right foot.
Knowing your place in the wild is the difference between being on a hike and being lost. Even if things go south, it only becomes an emergency if you don’t know where you are, how you got there, and how to get out. Land nav is the skill that makes the difference. A critical competency of infantry units, search & rescue teams, and expeditionary groups, a working knowledge of land navigation is arguably the strongest pillar of confidence in the wild. But if you’re an outdoor professional or hardcore adventurer, a basic introduction won’t cut it. You need to challenge yourself, and go beyond the essentials.
Quality communications turn a group into a team. Without good comms, you’re as good as alone when you’re in the wild, or when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, when it comes to offgrid communication, most of us slip our phone into a bag or pocket and call it good. But signal can be spotty or nonexistent, batteries die, and in true worst-case scenarios, cell towers go down. You need options, and more robust ones at that.
BUSHCRAFT ESSENTIALS - OCT. 21
Bushcraft is the art and science of using the natural materials around you to meet your needs, so you can travel lighter and have a greater connection with the land. But where do you start? When you’re reading the guidebooks of watching the videos, do your hands know how to do what you see? Like any other skill, you’ve got to nail the building blocks. In this 1-day course, that’s exactly what we’ll do.
BUSHCRAFT ESSENTIALS - NOV. 4
Bushcraft is the art and science of using the natural materials around you to meet your needs, so you can travel lighter and have a greater connection with the land. But where do you start? When you’re reading the guidebooks of watching the videos, do your hands know how to do what you see? Like any other skill, you’ve got to nail the building blocks. In this 1-day course, that’s exactly what we’ll do.
Everyone thinks a medical emergency in the wild won’t happen to them. But as outdoor professionals, we can confidently assure you that given enough time in the woods, it can, and it will. And take it from us – you’ll want to be ready for that moment. Your training is what makes the difference of how that story unfolds. This weekend course will give you the tools necessary to make sure that when that day comes, you’ll have what it takes to come through.
Training standards in the medical community come and go, and best practices change over time. But there’s one thing that’s universally agreed upon: Immediate, high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation saves lives. CPR is a skill that should be as common as knowing how to drive – everyone needs to be well-versed in it. That’s even more true when it comes to outdoor enthusiasts who may be far from definitive care. Whether it’s your first time learning CPR or you’re refreshing your skills, you need this training.
Making snow caves, igloos, snowshoes, and sleds are all fine skills to have. And if you read most manuals for winter survival, that’s what you’ll see. Except in Southern Appalachia, that’s not what you need. Bitter cold, stiff winds, and constant, soaking rain are more our speed than acres of pristine snow. Food is scarce, everything is wet, and hypothermia kills fast. You need the right skills to counter the challenges posed by our unique environment. FULL – email alex@sarcraft.com to be added to the waitlist.
AXEMANSHIP
“Give a man a knife, and he can survive. Give him an axe, and he can live like a king.” To pioneer men and women alike, the most prized tool they owned after their flintlock rifle was their axe. With it, they could build a life for themselves – clear land, build a cabin, warm it, and furnish it. Although axes have faded in importance over time, they still hold a vital space in the woodsman’s arsenal. Powerful and versatile, there’s nothing like a good axe. FULL – email alex@sarcraft.com to be added to the waitlist.
The knife is the fundamental tool of the woods. But in some ways, a dull knife is worse than none at all. Sharpening and maintaining your knives and tools in the field is one of the most important skills you can carry into the woods. In this 2-hour workshop in partnership with TruPrep Marietta, we’ll be going over the essentials of knife care and use – from different types of steels and blade grinds to sharpening, honing, and stropping. Click the link below to learn more.
Our ancestors needed high-calorie, stable trail food just as much as we do now. But instead of buying MREs or meal bars, they made their own. In this class, you’ll learn how to make two pioneer staples: Pemmican bars and Bannock bread. Calorie-dense, nutritionally complete, shelf-stable, and easy to make, these two foods check all of the boxes for ideal survival food. You’ll get the chance to give these two classics a try, and get the recipes to make your own at home – click below to learn more.
Ratchet straps and cable ties are cool, but you can’t call yourself prepared if you don’t know your way around a length of rope. Knots and lashings aren’t just a fundamental woods skill, they’re a fundamental life skill. In this workshop, you’ll learn essential knots for common problems you’ll face, and lashings necessary to build a wide range of projects in the woods. Additionally, we’ll talk about how to store, care for, and carry your cordage the right way. Click below to learn more.
When it comes to survival gear, there’s a lot of hype, chaff, and fake news out there. That article with “Ten Killer Survival Kit Hacks” could, in fact, get you killed. The good news is, what you need for real-world survival situations is actually pretty simple. In this 2-hour workshop, we’ll go over the essential gear you really need, how to use it, and how to make it your own. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge you need to build your ideal wilderness survival kit.
WILD EDIBLE ESSENTIALS - SATURDAY, MAY 15TH
The Cherokee believed that the world of plants provided everything humans needed to live an abundant life – be it food, medicine, shelter, or clothing. They weren’t wrong. We’re in the middle of one of the most biologically diverse forests on earth, and it’d be a shame not to take advantage of it. In this 1-day course, you’ll learn how to identify and utilize over 30 common Eastern trees, plants, and herbs, learn which plants to stay away from, and how to make a variety of useful plant medicines.
Used all over the world for everything from building houses to weaving fabric to feeding livestock, bamboo is one of the most versatile plants we have. For bushcraft and survival, it’s one of the closest things to a “hack” there is. Tasks and projects that normally take a great deal of time and skill can be conveniently made at warp speed with bamboo. Much like other outdoor staples such as paracord, duct tape, and the shemagh, bamboo’s uses are limited only by your own creativity.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON BUSHCRAFT: OUTDOOR KNOTS - FEB 20 - CANCELED
Sure, you can secure a load with ratchet straps or bungee cords. But what if all you have is a length of rope? And hey, you have every right to use a few quick wraps of paracord around a tree to hang your tarp when you hit camp. But what happens when the wind kicks up in the middle of the night, and the rain starts coming down? Knots solve problems. Knowing how to make rope do your bidding is a cornerstone of bushcraft, survival skills, and just plain old competency in the woods.
Training standards in the medical community come and go, and best practices change over time. But there’s one thing that’s universally agreed upon: Immediate, high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation saves lives. CPR is a skill that should be as common as knowing how to drive – everyone needs to be well-versed in it. That’s even more true when it comes to outdoor enthusiasts who may be far from definitive care. Whether it’s your first time learning CPR or you’re refreshing your skills, you need this training.
True campfire cooking is a dying art. Most modern camp food is fueled by whatever’s cheapest at the deli. You can do better. In times past, campfire cooking was a vital skill – simple, delicious meals cooked in cast iron or over open coals were a staple of every hunting camp, cattle drive, or logging crew. Even now, few things bring people together like a great camp dinner. While not a “survival skill,” knowing your way around a Dutch oven and being able to put together a world-class meal in the woods is one of the marks of a true outdoorsman. Get ready, and come hungry.
Worst-case scenarios don’t get much worse than when bullets start flying. And the unfortunate reality is that when that day comes, it’s highly likely someone’s catching a gunshot wound. Knowing how to respond in that moment is critical if you want to make sure everyone goes home at the end of the day. Whether you’re LE or military, or a civilian training to respond to a mass shooter, everyone should have the skills to keep an emergency from becoming a tragedy.
What if you had to survive in the wilderness for an unknown amount of time, and could only bring one blade? You need something stout enough to take down trees and cut them into firewood, but also nimble enough to process tinder and dress out game. It’d need the power of an axe and the versatility of a knife. Fortunately, that tool already exists. Used for generations throughout Latin America, Asia, and Africa, the machete and its variations might just be the one blade to rule them all.
Do you remember your first campout as a kid? Maybe it was in scouts. Or with your cousins on your grandparent’s farm. Or maybe, just in your backyard. No matter where it was, those memories still run strong. Roasting (or maybe burning) marshmallows, whittling sticks, telling stories around the campfire. And if you were lucky, you had an adult there who taught you the right way to do things – skills that stick with you to this day. Times have changed, but that doesn’t mean your kids can’t have those same great memories.
Worst-case scenarios don’t get much worse than when bullets start flying. And the unfortunate reality is that when that day comes, it’s highly likely someone’s catching a gunshot wound. Knowing how to respond in that moment is critical if you want to make sure everyone goes home at the end of the day. Whether you’re LE or military, or a civilian training to respond to a mass shooter, everyone should have the skills to keep an emergency from becoming a tragedy.
The humble tarp. Nothing but a simple sheet or canvas, silnylon, or even just plastic. But for all of its simplicity, it’s one of the most powerful multitaskers you can carry with you in the woods. It can provide you with lightweight shelter of course, but it also has dozens of other uses spanning wilderness medicine, water collection, firecraft, signaling, and more. You probably already own a few, so why not learn to unlock its full potential?
Ladies, tell us if this sounds like you: What should I take on my first backpacking trip? How do I stay safe outdoors, especially if I’m by myself? And most importantly of all… How do I pee in the woods? We’ve got you covered. Join our awesome slate of all-female instructors as we answer these questions and much, much more.
LAND NAVIGATION ESSENTIALS - APR. 23
Land navigation is the difference between being on a hike and being lost. Other than firecraft, there’s probably no skill that builds confidence in the wild quite like knowing your way around a map & compass. The rub is that this complex skill set is extremely difficult to learn from books or videos – there’s really no substitute for time in the field with a qualified instructor. In this 1-day course, you’ll get plenty of that – we’ll walk you through the basics of map & compass use, terrain association, measuring distance, and even how to navigate with no tools at all.
Bushcraft is the art and science of using the natural materials around you to meet your needs, so you can travel lighter and have a greater connection with the land. But where do you start? When you’re reading the guidebooks of watching the videos, do your hands know how to do what you see? Like any other skill, you’ve got to nail the building blocks. In this 1-day course, that’s exactly what we’ll do.
Friction fire is a skill older than time. It’s part of who we are as a species, and no matter what your heritage is, your ancient ancestors relied on it to survive. Even now, it’s got a mystique like few other outdoor skills, and is a sure way to prove your chops as a woodsman. Only catch is… it’s hard. Really hard. Let us give you a hand, and you’ll be busting out that first ember in no time.
Dehydrated backpacking meals have come a long way. Gone are the days when you had to put in a day’s work on the trail just to have the appetite to choke down your dinner. But they’re still no match for a home-cooked meal. The solution? Make your own. The good news is, it’s a lot easier, healthier, more cost-effective, and tastier than you’d ever imagine. Let us show you how.
