Gain (More Than) Outdoor Survival Skills at Earth Native Wilderness School

Guest article by Caitlin Jackson

In Austin, we are fortunate to have so many natural spaces to enjoy. We have lakes, rivers, and hiking. But simply being in nature is only one part of forging a deeper connection with it. Many of us have felt the need to acquire survival know-how. But for those of us who spend the majority of our time within city limits, learning these skills can be a daunting task. Where do we begin? Luckily, we have a starting line and it’s located at Earth Native Wilderness School.

Founded in 2011, Earth Native Wilderness School provides education for survival outdoors. The campus is located on 25 acres between the towns of Cedar Creek and Bastrop, only a 20-minute drive from Austin. Classes are available for ages 3-99 (although on their website, it states they wouldn’t turn someone away even if they’re over 99).

Getting Equipped at Earth Native Wilderness School

Whether your goal is fine-tuning your emergency preparedness, improving your homesteading, or simply satisfying your curiosity, learning about the ecosystem our city resides within can add meaning to the time you spend outdoors. The result is a stronger relationship with the parts of nature, not just nature as a whole.

Through Earth Native Wilderness School, you’ll begin to notice the subtle signs of life, and recognize the different species of plants or animals. Even more, you’ll learn self-reliance. In nature, you have more opportunity to introspect without the noise and distractions of modern life.

When tasked with finding safe water to drink, or determining whether a plant is poison or food, you’re required to become an avid problem solver. This practice gives you confidence and emotional resilience that can translate into your everyday life. So while you gain the skills to make it through a real survival situation, you also return to your day-to-day routine with improved well-being.

Weekend Classes

Earth Native Wilderness School has a number of programs to choose from, for both adults and children. Here are a few of the many choices:

• Wilderness Survival 101: This two-day class goes over survival basics such as making fire, building shelter, trapping game, water collection, navigation, survival kits, and more. 
• Survival Bows: Using materials you source yourself, learn how to make and shoot your own bow.  
• Fall Edible Plants: Wild plants can be an easy source of nutrition, so long as you know what to look for. With this class, you’ll learn how to find and prepare local edible plants.
• Natural Pottery: Learn how to source local clay for making cookware, storage containers, and bowls. 

Intensive Courses

When you’re ready to take your basic skills to the next level, here are some options: