2025 schedule of classes and events is now up. Additional dates will be added as we continue to recover from Hurricane Helene. If you don’t see a desired class or event, check back or contact us for more information.

Wilderness Survival Training and Navigation Courses

Learn essential skills to survive and thrive in the outdoors

Unleash Your Inner Survivor: Master Wilderness Survival Skills

The Nolichucky Outdoor Learning Institute offers wilderness survival, navigation and other wilderness skills training courses in the beautiful Appalachian Highlands of Northeast Tennessee. These courses provide a unique opportunity to learn valuable skills while immersing yourself in the stunning natural setting of the surrounding mountains and rivers. Not only will you learn how to better survive and thrive in the wilderness, but you'll also gain a deeper appreciation and connection to nature. The courses are led by experienced instructors who will provide hands-on instruction and guidance, ensuring that you leave the course feeling empowered with the confidence and ability to take care of yourself next time you head to the backcountry. Our primary course location is at our camp along the Nolichucky River and provides a perfect setting for learning and practicing these skills, with its diverse landscape, wildlife and opportunity for adventure.

Swiftwater Rescue Class Group Pic

WILDERNESS SURVIVAL - SMALL GROUP & CUSTOM TRAINING

USA RAFT

Schedule custom survival and wilderness skills training for your group and create a unique and memorable learning experience.

Duration: Variable

Begins: Variable

Operates: March-November

Age Requirements: 7+ (can be lower based on content)

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PRICING FROM

$175.00-325.00

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Why Choose Us for Your Wilderness Survival Class or Navigation Course?

There’s often a stereotypical image that goes along with wilderness survival: the barrel-chested and brash “survivalist” given to big talk and excess bravado. This isn’t what survival is about, nor does it reflect who actually does well in survival situations. Wilderness survival is about knowledge, skills, informed decision-making and attitude. This is the approach we take at NOLI: to provide participants with real-world tools - whether survival skills, map and compass skills, knot tying or other wilderness skills - so that they feel better prepared and empowered the next time they head outdoors. Our lead instructor, Scott Fisher, is a former Army Ranger-qualified infantry officer with over 30+ years experience applying and teaching these skills around the world in a variety of environments. Our primary course location along the Nolichucky River is among the best in the nation. And, best of all? Learning these skills with NOLI is fun!

Survival and Navigation Course Reviews

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Cindy C.

What a great class! I found the instructor to be very thorough and willing to fully explain, demonstrate and review anything we questioned. His knowledge on wilderness survival was very evident and he has excellent teaching skills to pass that knowledge to the students. I left the class feeling more empowered and with information and skills that will definitely help if I am ever faced with a wilderness survival situation. I strongly recommend this class for anyone who hikes alone or leads hikes. I hope to never have to use these skills, but knowledge is power. I look forward to taking more classes with Scott and his team.

John F.

Excellent class in Wilderness Survival…learned new skills and gained more confidence when venturing out in the wilderness whether hiking, backpacking, or fly fishing. This was my second class with Scott and as I’ve learned, he is thorough and genuinely cares about the people in his classes….Highly recommend any class with NOLI!!!!

Pedro L.

I recently participated in the two-day Wilderness Survival class and it was an awesome experience! The instructor is an excellent teacher with tons of knowledge and experience, making the time spent in the class very enjoyable. He had tons of material prepared and guided us through each of the tasks he asked us to complete. Also, the location is excellent! I highly recommend this class.

Terry V.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Map Reading and Compass class. Scott is an excellent teacher. He is knowledgeable, an expert in the field in my opinion, and makes the learning fun and easy. He mixes classroom instruction with field exercises to put what we’ve learned to practical use. And the highlight of the day was the hike on the AT to a point where we could put all we had learned to use in the field. I highly recommend this class to anyone who spends time in the wilderness.

Common Questions About Survival Courses

  • What do you cover in your Survival classes?

    Our survival classes focus on the 7 Priorities of Survival, with the majority of our time spent on the importance of attitude, shelter, fire-making, water procurement and signaling. We also teach proper knife use, knots, bushcraft skills and navigation without a map and compass (our navigation-specific classes cover that). The goal is to provide you with real-world knowledge and skills so that you can not only prevent and manage survival situations but also enrich your day-to-day excursions into the wilderness.

  • Is previous experience necessary?

    No. Our survival and navigation classes are suitable for those with and without previous training. 

  • Do I have to bring my own gear?

    No. You are welcome to bring your own gear (e.g., knife, compass, etc) for our survival and navigation classes if you have them but it’s not required. We provide everything you need.

  • Can you do custom training for groups?

    Yes. We arrange custom survival, navigation and other wilderness skills classes for groups by request. These can be from as little as a couple hours to multi-day and be tailored to the interests of your group. Contact us for more information. 

  • Are there age limits for taking survival and navigation classes?

    Minimum age is 10 years old for survival classes and 12 years old for navigation classes. Age limits are flexible for custom training as content can be modified for younger children.

  • Do I have to eat bugs or crawl through mud?

    No, but we can arrange it if you want to 🙂