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Survival Challenge

Take our Four Day Survival Challenge

This survival course is suitable for those looking for an adventure, not too far from home, but who really want to challenge themselves! The Survival Challenge includes the existing Survival Weekend course plus an extra two days to test your skills. During this test phase you will be using the skills and knowledge learnt on the weekend to live off the land without any supplementary food, tarps or water.

 

You will live in the shelters you built over the weekend, drink only water that you have collected and purified. You will also continue to check trap lines, forage for plant foods and invertebrates and fish in the nearby river. All food collected will be monitored by the instructor to ensure your safety. For those who successfully complete the four day course there will be a certificate of achievement.

 

To take part in the course you need to be in good health and fitness. If you have any medical conditions or are in any doubt about your suitability, please discuss this with us before booking the course.

Read Leon's blog about our Survival Weekends.

Learning Outcomes

Here are some of the key skills you will learn:

 

  • Survival principles - priorities, planning, equipment, knowledge and mental attitude

  • Signalling for help

  • The energy equation

  • Game preparation

  • Bushcraft cooking methods

  • Cordage and knots

  • Orientation and route-finding

  • Psychology of survival challenges

  • Personal survival kit selection

  • Knife and saw use, and a carving project

  • Fire by friction and sparks, fire construction and wet weather firelighting

  • Foraging for wild foods including tree, herb, fruits, roots, nuts and fungi id (other plant uses such as medicines)

  • Water sourcing, collection and preparation

  • Natural shelter building

  • Trapping methods - theory, practice, legal issues

  • Wildlife tracks and signs, especially with reference to trapping: recognition of target and non-target species

  • Hobo fishing

  • Living off the land
            

More Details

Price: £495 per person

Location: Lindfield in Sussex 

Duration: 4 days -  starts 09.00 Saturday; ends 13:00 Tuesday

Group size: usually 3-6 people 

Facilities: overnight wild camping - sleeping in natural shelters or under group tarp. Drinking water, basic provisions, fish and foraged food available. NB unless you need additional food for health reasons you are requested not to bring any.

What to bring:  course-specific kit list

Upcoming Dates​
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"A superb experience, both challenging and rewarding. Leon's knowledge is deep and his approach to instructing is engaging without being dogmatic. I had no idea how tough I would find the greatly reduced diet but there is no greater incentive to learn than when your eating depends on it...

"...I came away feeling even more inspired by the natural world, invigorated for the challenges of modern city life with a fresh perspective on the excessive consumption that has become the norm. I highly recommend the Bushcraft Survival Challenge to anyone who wants an introduction to this fascinating area of learning with the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained and get out of your comfort zone." - Ollie D.

"I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for organising and running such a superb course.  The 4 day challenge was a first for me, something I have never attempted before and a real eye opener into my own capabilities, limits and knowledge. The way you explain a situation and method through your own experience is fantastic. Really brings the whole challenge to life by relating to past examples and real life references. Couple this with a good company and great chats around the campfire, you really can’t go wrong this survival challenge. You know exactly when to be involved, when to give guidance and when to step back and let us make the next move. I was initially worried that I had bitten off more than I was capable of.... but, with everyone in a pretty similar position to myself, we all became a great close group of friends.

"Shelter building and putting this to the test by sleeping in it night after night, was the highlight for me. You really cannot explain to someone just how important a good shelter is for survival until you build one and live in it. The same goes for foraging and water collection / purification. It’s a real eye opener to the things we take for granted every day and I thank you Leon, for bringing these basic needs right into the forefront of survival basics.

"I have come away from the survival challenge feeling very humbled, educated and with a feeling of great accomplishment (along with Insane hunger and crave of coffee!). I cannot think of a better course to learn about Bushcraft, the natural world around you and the many ways to survive when things are out of your control. Thank you for the experience, your time and wisdom. I am very much looking forward to joining another of your courses in the future." Phil B.

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SURVIVAL DAY
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COASTAL SURVIVAL
WEEKEND
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SURVIVAL WEEKEND
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