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SURVIVAL PRIORITIES

Advanced Fire Making

FOOD PROCUREMENT

Primitive Trapping

COMMUNITY BUILDING

Experienced Instructor

WILDERNESS SETTING

Nature Based Learning

Next Advanced Bushcraft Course:

CLASS DATES: May 16-18, 2025

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

Are you ready to learn essential skills in the art of wilderness living?

Take your wilderness skills to the next level with this immersive weekend course in advanced bushcraft. Over three days, you will gain both knowledge and essential skills in the art of wilderness living. Students will learn techniques that aid in survival priorities such as advanced fire-starting methods and also skills that aid in long-term living such as constructing primitive traps for securing food in the wild. Through hands-on practice, you’ll also develop woodworking skills by carving functional utensils and other simple tools.

In addition to these skills, you’ll explore traditional frontier living practices, such as cooking over an open fire and tool maintenance. Advanced Bushcraft is designed to help you thrive in the wilderness beyond your immediate needs. With guidance from esteemed expert and experienced instructor, James Gibson, and in a supportive, small-group setting, this course blends practical lessons, demonstrations, and personal exploration. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts with or without prior experience, this weekend course will encourage you to embrace life in relationship with nature.

TOOL MAINTENANCE

CAMPFIRE COOKING

WOODWORKING SKILLS

MATERIAL SELECTION

GAIN CONFIDENCE

Equip yourself with essential bushcraft knowledge, fostering self-reliance and the ability to thrive in the great outdoors.

HANDS-ON TRAINING

Gain practical experience in various skills designed to encourage deep connection with the outdoors.

COMMUNITY BUILDING

Immerse yourself in a shared learning experience that fosters camaraderie, storytelling, and a deeper appreciation for humanity’s relationship to wilderness living.
Advanced Bushcraft

Advanced Bushcraft

$300.00 - $300.00
$300.00
$300.00 - $300.00
$300.00
COURSE DETAILS:

ADVANCED BUSHCRAFT COURSE

Lead Instructor: JAMES GIBSON

MAY 16-18, 2025

BEGINS 9:00 AM FRIDAY

Students can arrive on site as early as 7:30 AM to set up camp.

ENDS 2:00 PM SUNDAY

Students can NOT stay on site past Sunday for insurance purposes.

Please contact courses@georgiabushcraft.com for any questions relating to this course.

Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No students under the age of 12 are allowed.

This course is designed for 10 participants total.

Course Highlights:

  • Learn to craft and use a functional stove from a simple bean can for cooking and heating.
  • Master the timeless fire-starting method of flint and steel for reliable ignition in the wilderness.
  • Understand how to identify, gather, and prepare natural materials for tools or tinder
  • Build a practical fish trap from bamboo, perfect for passive food gathering.
  • Explore creative and resourceful ways to carry items, including natural baskets and packs.
  • Practice carving a functional wooden spoon, enhancing knife skills and precision.
  • Explore the history and significance of bushcraft across different cultures and eras.
  • Weave a bottle carrier using jute string, blending practicality and bushcraft ingenuity.
  • Carve protective snow goggles to shield your eyes from harsh sunlight or snow glare.
GEAR LIST:

Required Gear List:

  • Leather Gloves and Eyewear for Protection
  • Carving Knife (Mora 120 Suggested)
  • Utility Knife with 90º Spine and 4" Blade
  • Folding Saw and/or Multitool
  • Ferro Rod
  • 15 oz Bean Can
  • Whatever gear you choose!

Additional Items:

  • Camp Chair for Comfort
  • Notebook with Pens/Pencils
  • Tent or Hammock with preferred sleep system
  • Headlamp with Spare Batteries
  • Proper Clothing for Season and Weather
  • Combination Tool like a Leatherman or SAK for Camp Chores
  • Cookware and Stoves for the Meals and Snacks you provide
  • Water and Water Container with Lid
  • Hydration/Electrolyte Packs
  • Hygiene Items
  • Any Prescribed Medications
LOCATION:

Our Address: 1150 Carruth Rd Watkinsville, GA 30677

SEE MAP

Classes are held on a private, 30+ acre property located approximately 90 minutes from Atlanta Airport and 20 minutes from Downtown Athens.

On Carruth Road, turn right down the second drive way next to the large barn and blue dumpster.

Participants can park along the woodline near the red gate straight ahead.

Class instruction will be held at Basecamp, which is located 200 yards past the gate.

Overnight camping is determined by the instructor and is subject to change, however, setting up in the main field or the woods near Basecamp is common. You may leave your vehicle near the entrance or relocate it to your camp.

Downtown Watkinsville is located within a 20 minute drive from the farm with major conveniences (grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, hotels, etc.) nearby.

Please check out our store, Oconee Outpost, in Downtown Watkinsville for more information about our events as well as shop for additional gear and local goods.

In addition to the store, travel across the street to the Blind Pig Tavern and try our signature burger, the Outpost!

SAFETY AND POLICIES:

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE:

All students must read, agree, and sign our Liability Waiver prior to arriving on site.

Be sure to check out our FAQ Section on our site HERE.

REFUND POLICY:

No refunds are available if you cancel any in-person event within 30 days of the event date. Your tuition can be applied to a future class within 365 calendar days from the scheduled event if you need to postpone. We will do our best to accommodate your future class requests but there is no guarantee there will be space for the event you would like.

ADDITIONAL INFO:

Sleeping Arrangements:

Students are not required to stay on site, however, overnight camping is encouraged to deepen social bonds around the fire.

Students can set up their tents or hammocks along the woodline in the field (suggested) or in the woodland area near the classroom. 

Restrooms:

There is a Port-A-John along the woodline near Basecamp for use.

Food:

Food is not provided so students are required to bring their own meals and snacks for consumption. 

There are scheduled breaks for meal times. Everyone usually gathers around the campfire during mealtimes, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for fellowship. 

If you have a cooler, we recommend filling it with ice to store perishable items to keep everything fresh and ready to enjoy.

Students should still inform the instructor of any critical food allergies if any.

Terrain:

The property is rich in resources with varying tree species on top of a diverse range of edible and medicinal plants. 

There are deep creek beds that can make navigating for some difficult. Participants should be mindful of their physical limitations and potential for mechanical injury when navigating off the trails. 

The trail into the woods is a worn down dirt path so vehicles can risk getting trapped. Those driving sedans or 2WD vehicles are not recommended to pass.

Cell Coverage:

Cell service is reliable except for some T-Mobile users where reception is rare, but can sometimes receive signal.

WiFi is available near the farm house for emergency use.

Water:

We suggest bringing plenty of water for hydration, cooking, and hygiene. 

Potable water is available on site near the farmhouse and also near the shower stall next to Basecamp.

There is a single outdoor shower stall that is usable barring certain weather conditions.

Power:

There is no external power source available for students. Participants should bring their own power stations or chargeable units for cell phones, head lamps, etc.

Trash:

There is a trash can available in Basecamp and a dumpster along the driveway.

Please respect this land and “leave no trace.”

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR

JAMES GIBSON

JAMES GIBSON

James Gibson is a native of East Tennessee, raised in the Great Smoky Mountain region, where a love for the outdoors inspired a lifelong passion for hiking, hunting, fishing, and crafting. In 1980, they made their first knife, beginning a journey of craftsmanship that led to earning a Journeyman Smith Rating with the American Bladesmith Society (A.B.S.) in 2003. They’ve trained with renowned Master Smiths like Jim Batson and Kevin Cashen and are also an accomplished flintknapper with over 20 years of experience, co-hosting the Clinch River Knap-in for a decade.

Their passion for survival skills began in 1976, sparked by Larry Dean Olsen’s Outdoor Survival Skills, and deepened through the Standard Course at Tom Brown’s Survival School in 1993. Now teaching survival classes year-round, James also holds a 6th-degree black belt in Ninjutsu, a martial art they’ve studied since the late 1980s. Their expertise and dedication make them a respected figure in bladesmithing, survival, and outdoor skills. READ MORE

MEET THE VENUE | GEORGIA BUSHCRAFT FARM

BASECAMP

This is where the majority of class instruction will be held.

THE FARM

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Do I need prior experience to take this course?

No prior experience is necessary! This course is designed for beginners and seasoned adventurers alike.

2. Is this course suitable for kids or families?

Yes, this course is family-friendly! Children ages 12 and up are welcome as long as they’re accompanied by a participating adult. It’s a fantastic way to build family skills and confidence while enjoying the outdoors together.

3. What skills will I leave with after completing this course?

This course will equip participants with skills to thrive in wilderness environments, including fire-building, tool construction, and sourcing food. You will gain expertise in resource selection, knots, and woodworking. Beyond practical techniques, participants develop a deeper connection with nature and the self-reliance to adapt.

4. Who do I contact for further information about this course?

Please contact courses@georgiabushcraft.com for any inquiries about this weekend workshop.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

  • 10 Essential Bushcraft Skills for Beginners
    September 26, 2024 Georgia Bushcraft

    10 Essential Bushcraft Skills for Beginners

    When you first dive into the world of bushcraft, it can be a bit overwhelming. It's easy to get lost in the world of bushcraft vs survival, what gear to buy, and countless other questions. However, knowledge is the most...

    Read now
  • Bushcraft Ready Everyday Carry
    April 18, 2024 Georgia Bushcraft

    Bushcraft Ready Everyday Carry

    One of the best strategies for preparedness is layering your gear, and what you have on you at all times is the first level. Carry bushcraft and survival gear as a part of your EDC is a great way to stay ready for survival situations.
    Read now
See more

MEMBERSHIP AND RELATED EVENTS

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  • Firecraft Weekend Workshop

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  • Navigation 101

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  • Advanced Bushcraft

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    Take your wilderness skills to the next level with this immersive weekend course in advanced bushcraft. Over three days, you will gain both knowled...

    View full details
    $300.00 - $300.00
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