Wilderness Skills Program
Is Your Youth Interested In Survival Skills?
For the ultimate survival education, our 6-Month Wilderness Skills Program combines monthly immersive classes from May to October.
This program is a great way to get into wilderness survival while learning a variety of different skills and getting hands on experience. We highly recommend this program prior to taking field courses.
We are passionate about fostering a love for nature and empowering our students with real-life survival knowledge. Our expert instructors blend traditional and modern techniques, ensuring an engaging, practical, and unforgettable learning experience.
Program Details
When & Where:
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May - October
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Payson, Utah
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10 am - 2 pm
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Tuesdays - Explorers (Ages 8-12)
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Wednesdays - Adventurers (Ages 13-17)
Each program has a maximum participation limit of 10 students.
Program Cost: $1590 per student or $265 per month. (materials, supplies, and knives are provided) See our payment and financial aid options below.
* 12 total classes
Getting Reimbursements For Classes
Wilderness Wild Survival School is connected with Open Ed (previously My Tech High), Harmony Education, and Utah Fits All Scholarships. We can supply you with an invoice for getting your reimbursement upon request. Email kyle@wildernesswildsurvivalschool.com for more information or to request an invoice.
What To Expect
Get ready for an exciting adventure into the wild! Our Youth Wilderness Skills Program is designed to combine hands-on learning, outdoor exploration, and teamwork. Each class offers a unique mix of skills practice and hiking, creating a fun and educational experience for every participant.
Please arrive by 9:50 am and be prepared to start class at 10:00 am.
Class Locations may vary, however most classes will be held at Big Springs Park in Provo, Utah. Location will be provided in the monthly email. Please review the pinned address and ask any questions ahead of time.
Drop Off
Students may be dropped off. Please fill out the drop off form sent to your email with the registration confirmation. Drop off forms must be signed and handed to the instructor the first day of class.
Class Structure
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Around the Campfire:
Begin each session gathered around the fire, where our expert instructors introduce the day’s skills through engaging demonstrations and discussions. Topics may include fire-starting, tool use, wilderness safety, and more. -
Hiking Adventures:
After the campfire session, hit the trail! Students will explore local wilderness areas, practice new skills in real-world settings, and learn about the natural environment around them.
Food
Food is not provided. Please bring your own food. We recommend bringing lightweight meals and snacks.
Water
Water is provided at the water station.
Emergencies
Each instructor will carry a basic med kit for first aid use. Students may bring their own first aid kits as well or use ours if needed. Instructors are WFR certified and are able to act accordingly in emergencies.
Instructors will have a Garmin Mini In Reach on them at all times in case of a severe medical emergency situation.
What to bring?
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, all students should come prepared with:
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Water: Bring enough to stay hydrated during the day.
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Food: Pack a lunch and snacks for energy.
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Day Pack: Carry your essentials comfortably while hiking.
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Carving Knives: Required for classes. I Recommend a Mora Companion Knife
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Appropriate Clothing: Dress for the weather, including sturdy footwear and layers for comfort.
What You'll Learn
Participants will engage in activities like:
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(May) Survival fire-starting techniques
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(June) Shelter building
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(July) Basic navigation and map skills
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(August) Wild edible and medicinal plant identification
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(September) Survival fishing techniques
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(October) Hunter Gatherer Skills
Students receive a PDF class Outline upon registration.
We will cover many topics including:
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Wilderness Camps & Shelter in the wild
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Bow drill Fire - Off The Land
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Water disinfection without a filter
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Primitive traps and snares
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Wild Edible Plants
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Wild Medicine & Primitive Containers
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Natural Cordage
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Primitive Hunting Tools (atlatls, bows, rabbit sticks)
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Land Navigation
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Primitive Fishing
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Wilderness Kits & Packs
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Knife Skills
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Heat losses and staying warm
Kyle is an amazing and patient teacher! We tried other schools like Making Tracks, but they just didn't offer what we wanted. After taking Kyle's survival program we fell in love with his classes because his easy going personality and vast wealth of knowledge.
Brittany Bartley
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This program was exactly what we were looking for. My kids loved every class and can't wait to take more. My oldest would come home excited to teach me what he learned and the kids would be using the primitive items they made throughout the week. He would ask me if Kyle could be their young mens leader so they could do survival stuff.
Matthew Davis
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Kyle is so patient with all the kids and I can't believe how much he knows. He would always stop teaching to share a new plant, show a cool survival trick or tell a story or kid friendly joke. He is an amazing teacher and quickly makes you feel like you've known him for a long time. My kids loved every class and my oldest is looking to take his Pathway Program.
Jadie Billings
Have more questions? We Got You!
Where is the school located?
We are located in Genola. These classes are held in Payson Canyon.
Typically we meet at Kiwanis Park just up Payson Canyon. If we meet at another location it will be mentioned in the monthly email.
What is the terrain and wildlife?
The terrain is mountainous with a mix of Aspen and conifer forests, or maple and oaks. There are creeks and ponds throughout the area. Wildlife includes mule deer, elk, moose, black bears, cougars, and small game like turkey, grouse, squirrels, and rabbits.
Do I need bear spray?
Your instructor will have Bear spray if we are going on a hike. 99% of the time students are loud enough that any big game has run off. Students don't need to bring their own, however they are welcome to carry a can. Before they do we like to make sure they know how to use it and will provide a quick lesson.
Is cell reception available?
Cell phones may be hit or miss. Please make sure to let your student and the instructor know of important information ahead of time.
There are a couple location off the main canyon road and at Kiwanis Park that you can get a few bars.
What type of road leads to the location?
The main canyon road is asphalt and has no issues for even small cars.
Is power available?
This is a primitive type class and no power is provided or available.
Are restrooms available?
There are restrooms at the main park that are latrine style with sinks for washing.
However if we are on a hike nature is your bathroom. We recommend keeping toilet paper in your pack.
Can I drop my student off?
Yes, however you need to have the drop off form filled out and signed by the instructor. Parents need to make sure that the instructor knows when they are dropping off and picking up.
For student safety please don't drop off your student without notifying the instructor on site.
Does my student need any special gear?
No, we provide all supplies and materials. We do have knives that can be rented for free and to be used for the entirety of the program. Students will sign in/out the knife each class day. Before leaving students must sharpen the knife with the provided sharpener.
Any rented knives lost or missing will incur a replacement fee of no more than $25.
Is water provided?
Yes water is available at the parking lot. We provide 10 gallons of water for classes.
Please be considerate and do not waste the water.
Is food provided?
We provide the class fire, you provide your own meals and snacks.
Many students bring a lunch box with snack or sandwiches. Please use the trash bag onsite and clean up your waste.
What if I can't pick my student up right away?
We understand that things can come up and you may be late to pick up your student. We will never leave a student alone waiting for pickup after class ends, however, please try and contact us if this happens. We recommend being 5 mins early to the class end time for pickup.
For student safety and well being we allow up to 3 late pick ups. More than 3 late pick up's may result in your students' termination of the program and all costs.
What about medical emergencies?
If there is a medical emergency if will be up to the instructor to determine if the students need a hospital.
If an instructor determines a hospital is required, class will end immediately and the instructor will either contact the parent or use their S.O.S beacon to radio for a medical evac depending on the severity.
For minor injuries we have Med Kit on us at all times and instructors are Wilderness First Responder Certified.
I can no longer attend classes. Can I cancel and get a refund?
We hate to see people leave in the middle of the program and would encourage you try and stay as we know how much youth benefit from these classes.
Unfortunately, Cancellations or missed classes will receive no refund after April 24th. Any cancellations before the April 24th date will receive a refund minus 40%.
I signed up for auto pay, when does it start and end?
Our auto pay if for the monthly option only. The payments will start April 5th and then reoccur every 5th of the month.
The deposit you paid is for May.
Monthly payments start in April and will automatically end in October.
How do I get reimbursed for classes through UEFA, Open ED, or Harmony Ed?
We are connected with Open Ed (previously My Tech High), UEFA, & Harmony Ed. Ultimately it's up to those providers to give the reimbursement, although we have never had a family have problems with getting the funds.
If needed we can provide a specialized invoice to help get the reimbursement. Please email kyle@wildernesswildsurvivalschool.com for a specialized invoice.
Is this program available anywhere else?
We currently have the one location in Payson. However as we hire new instructors we plan on having multiple locations statewide for this program. This solely depends on when we get new instructors as we have a high standard for those we hire.
Currently we have no plans to expand into other states.
What ages can attend?
Our Explorer program is for ages 8-12, While our Adventure Program is for ages 13-17.
Occasionally we allow younger ages depending on how well they can participate in the classes. Contact Kyle for more information on younger students attending the program.