Learn Survival Skills in the Catskill Wilderness

Our Survival School is considered among the best in the northeast because we go further than just skills to teach the psychology of survival - without learning to tame your stress response even the most finely honed skills won't save you. Your instructor has over 20 years of outdoor leadership. He founded Destination Backcountry in 2011 and has since grown it into NY’s largest wilderness guide service. Dave has been featured on the Today Show, in the Wall St Journal, Backpacker & Men's Health Magazines, and many more for his for his signature ADAPT survival methodology as well as his general outdoor expertise.

On our hike into the forest, about a mile, we’ll begin by learning about the forest and the challenges and the resources available. Once in "camp" we'll begin our Psychology of Survival course; understanding how the human mind and body respond to pressure, developing the skills to recognize and overcome the “animal instincts” that take over in times of stress, learning your personal tendencies and how to account for them, and similar skills. From there, we’ll move to Survival School where we’ll be teaching and developing skills such as utilizing resources effectively, prioritizing needs, active vs passive action, and more through fun activities such as fire without matches, shelter building, primitive navigation, etc. We cap the day off by practicing our skills in different survival scenarios presented by the guides Curriculum: The psychology of survival: the most important part of any survival situation Lighting a fire without matches Building a survival shelter with natural materials What to bring in your survival pack Obtaining water Effecting rescue Natural Navigation Prelim wild edibles

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.