Woodsmanship

Armed with will, knowledge and minimal equipment, anyone can survive outdoors  in relative comfort in any season for as long as necessary. This is the premise and the goal of Aegis' Woodsmanship course.

Humans need shelter, water, heat and food to survive. Students will learn various ways to improvise obtaining these in North American woods throughout the year. You will create a personal kit of necessities and a few conveniences for use outdoors during the course and after its completion. You may be used to bringing a backpack on camping trips; the skills you learn will allow you to be comfortable with items you can fit on a good belt with several pouches.

Specific skills covered in this course include:

• improvised fire-building


• all-seasons camping


• water acquisition and safety


• foraging


• improvised hunting and trapping


• first aid


• rope-work and rappelling


• quiet movement and woods observation

Woodsmanship meets weekly for six months beginning in mid-summer. The class will end with a weekend trip to northern Michigan's North Manitou Island where students can use all of their new skills and knowledge.


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