1-Day Wilderness Survival and Outdoor Skills Courses
NOC’s Wilderness Survival programs are designed not only to educate participants in specific skills for managing outdoor situations, but also to have fun while learning.
Overview
Join us for a single-day escapade into nature, where you’ll not only acquire valuable outdoor skills but also create lasting memories. Choose your adventure and let the exploration begin!
Whether you’re a novice hiker or an experienced outdoor enthusiast, our carefully crafted courses cater to all skill levels.
What You’ll Learn
- 1-Day Wilderness Navigation: Dive into the art of navigation in the wilderness. Our skilled instructors will teach you map reading, compass use, and essential orienteering skills. Navigate through challenging terrains and gain the confidence to explore the wilderness independently.
- 1-Day Edible Plants and Foraging: Immerse yourself in the world of foraging as you discover the edible treasures nature has to offer. Our knowledgeable guides will teach you to identify and responsibly harvest edible plants, providing insights into their culinary uses. Connect with the environment in a unique and sustainable way.
- 1-Day Backcountry Cooking: Elevate your outdoor culinary skills with our backcountry cooking adventure. Learn to prepare delicious meals using minimal equipment. From campfire cooking to efficient meal planning, this experience is designed for those who want to savor the flavors of the wilderness.
- 1-Day Introduction to Hiking: Embark on a journey through scenic trails with our expert guides. Learn the essentials of hiking, from proper gear selection to trail etiquette. This introductory experience is perfect for those looking to connect with nature while gaining confidence in their hiking abilities.
Course Descriptions
1-Day Wilderness Navigation
In this class, students will learn how to navigate the outdoors with and without a map and compass. Students will practice orienteering, map reading, and figuring out location and direction without any tools.
The afternoon will be spent on a hike that puts these skills to use. The hike will be moderately strenuous and students will need to provide transportation to/from the trailhead (following instructor). The hike trailhead is approximately 30 minutes away from NOC.
- Minimum age: 14 (all minors must be accompanied by an adult)
1-Day Edible Plants and Foraging
This course is designed to introduce students to the edible and useful plants of western North Carolina. Topics include general plant identification skills, lists of edible, medicinal, and poisonous plants, how to safely and ethically harvest plants, and safe cooking/use of foraged materials.
Class will likely visit a location off of NOC’s property for more variety of species. This location is about 30 minutes away and students will need to provide their own transportation to/from this location (following instructor) from NOC.
- Minimum age: 16 (all minors must be accompanied by an adult)
1-Day Backcountry Cooking
This is a course for those who want to learn how to plan and cook delicious meals on a camp stove or fire both for car camping and deep wilderness. Students will work together to cook lunch and dinner using a variety of techniques.
Course topics include meal prep and planning, sanitization, Leave No Trace principles, and many cooking tips and tricks. Cooking will include the use of both stoves and open flames as well as how to make a minimalist backcountry kitchen.
Much of this course will take place at our private woodland classroom, Hemlock Ridge. This area is a quarter mile hike from NOC’s main campus. It is a steep climb, so being prepared with appropriate footwear is essential. We have a privy on-site, but there is no running water.
1-Day Introduction to Hiking
Details to come!
Dates
1-Day Wilderness Navigation
| Dates | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 16-16, 2024 | Bryson City, NC | |
| Sep 29-29, 2024 | Bryson City, NC |
1-Day Edible Plants and Foraging
| Dates | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 22-22, 2024 | Bryson City, NC |
1-Day Backcountry Cooking
| Dates | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 19-19, 2024 | Bryson City, NC |
Location
Before You Visit
- Primary gear and equipment
- All course materials
- Professionally trained instructors
We will spend the majority of our time outdoors, so dress appropriately for the season in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. You can check weather for zip code 28713 prior to packing if needed. The following list is to supplement the clothing you will be wearing.
Necessary Items:
- Closed-toe shoes
- Backpack large enough to hold gear
- Lunch (provided in Backcountry Cooking Course)
- Water bottle
- Rain jacket
- Layers of clothing
- Pen and notepad
- Suncreen/insect repellent
- Trekking poles (optional)
Please see the individual course details for age limits.
NOC is home to two onsite restaurants, and hours vary seasonally. View hours for River’s End Restaurant and Big Wesser. Snacks are available for purchase at the General Store.
