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The New River Gorge's Premier Wilderness Survival School
Located adjacent to America's newest National Park and minutes from whitewater rafting on the New and Gauley rivers
Our Mission
The year 2020 brought the preparedness mindset into the mainstream. Now more than ever, being prepared for the unexpected is an essential concept. Join one of our full day skill courses and be ready to meet the challenge of the day.
Survival Instincts
Our premier course offering of Survival Instincts teaches the core concepts of fire craft, shelter building and water purification. Professional instructors will teach students the knowledge necessary to live through an unexpected short term emergency survival scenario. At New River Survival & Bushcraft, we provide students with a basic kit for use during the trip while practicing skills within a fun and energetic teach-emulate environment. Beyond the core concepts, the student can expect to touch on other subjects such as survival mindset and theory, first aid, navigation, rescue signaling and knife safety.
Bushcraft
The Bushcraft course teaches students to thrive in an outdoor environment. This course is designed to introduce students to wilderness living and self-reliance beyond surviving. Students focus on building the skill set to make a camp comfortable and maximize its effectiveness while using the natural environment. We introduce students to alternative methods of camp craft within shelter building, fire making, water procurement, foraging and woodcrafts.
Boy Scout Wilderness Survival Merit Badge
Join professional instructors in our natural environment as we help your scout troop accomplish the Wilderness Survival Merit Badge. New River Survival & Bushcraft delivers the entirety of the Boy Scouts of America Wilderness Survival Merit Badge in an outdoor setting. Our curriculum, which covers survival theory, navigation, signaling, fire, shelter and water, conforms to the BSA requirements to earn the Wilderness Survival Merit Badge in a single day.
Bugout Workshops
At New River Survival & Bushcraft, we believe that the preparedness mindset should have a place in each of our lives. Whether preparing for power outages, natural disasters or civil unrest, the gear you prepare with should be familiar and ready to deploy. This workshop offers the prepared a chance to spend the day collaborating with other like-minded individuals in a friendly setting.
New River Survival & Bushcraft Trip Rates
Please call for custom trips, times, or large groups
Survival Instincts Half Day
Survival Instincts Full Day
Bushcraft Full Day
Boyscout Wilderness Survival Merit Badge
Don’t take our word for it…
"I feel significantly more prepared to take care of my family during uncertain times. Not to mention, the hospitality of the staff at New River Survival & Bushcraft is just incredible!"
-Adam T / Trip Advisor
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my own equipment and use it?
Students may bring their own equipment to course check- in for approval by the lead course instructor. Any personal survival and bushcraft equipment must meet the criteria to function within the parameters of the course.
Does the kit provided by New River Survival and Bushcraft have everything I need?
Yes, the kit will contain everything to accomplish any task associated with the course curriculum including a “Rite in the Rain®” notebook for students to take course notes and keep.
Is the course provided kit a backpack?
No, the kit bag provided is a haversack or shoulder bag. This allows students to access contents quickly and easily. This also allows students to carry a backpack for all personal equipment and clothing needs.
What knife should I bring?
A Mora 511 Basic knife will be provided in each kit. If students would like to bring their own, NRS&B suggests a knife with a 90-degree angle to effectively strike a ferro rod. NRS&B suggests the Mora Garberg or the Mora Bushcraft Black. Personal knives may not exceed 6 inches in blade length.
Does New River Survival & Bushcraft provide lunch?
NRS&B will provide a complimentary Cliff Bar within the provided kit. No lunch will be provided. All food requirements are the responsibility of the student. All students should have enough food to fuel themselves for a full day of physical activity. Likewise, students must provide a personal water bottle and NRS&B will provide opportunities to refill with potable water throughout the course. Any water bottle and/or cup provided with the kit will be used for instructional purposes only and will not be used for drinking.