Came across this interesting sounding opportunity from Primitive Pursuits:
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WILDERNESS SKILLS INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION
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.
Join us at our upcoming INFO sessions:
* Wednesday, January 29: Online INFO Session @ 8:00 pm. Go here to register!
* Thursday, January 30: SUNY-ESF (110 Moon Library) @ 5:30 pm.
* Thursday, February 6: Cornell Cooperative Extension (615 Willow Ave., Ithaca) @ 7:30 pm.
* Monday, February 10: Cornell University (Bartels Hall Room B-01) @ 7 pm.
* Tuesday, February 11: Ithaca College @ 12:00 pm.
2014 Course DATES:
* Early Spring Track: 15 Fridays, 9am-3:30pm, March 7 – June 21
* Late Spring Track: 4 week intensive, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays 9am-3:30pm, May 21 – June 21
Cost: $1380 for 160 hour certification ~or~
$1500 for 200 hour certification, which includes 40 hours (1 week) of field teaching experience.
A small number of partial scholarships may be available. If you are able to contribute to our scholarship fund, your tax-deductible gift would be greatly appreciated.
We require a non-refundable* deposit of $380 to hold your enrollment in the course. Payment is due in full 30 days prior to start of course, unless you have approved an alternative payment plan with us.
*If for any reason the course is canceled we will refund all payments, including deposit, in full.
Already been through WSIC? Ready to step into a leadership role?
If you’ve already taken the WSIC course, you are welcome to apply to be a “ring two” participant. You will have the opportunity to work closely with the instructors and provide mentoring and one-on-one guidance with other participants. Solidify your skills and advance your teaching abilities. Contact us for more information about this amazing leadership opportunity!
Make These 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
Teaching & Mentoring: sharing stories, giving back, teaching others, spinning threads, following the way of the coyote & finding your niche
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 Facebook.
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.
A Green(ish) Life 