Course Details 2025

July 18, 2025 (Previous program)
Reading the Secret Signs of Nature: Navigate, Predict, and Connect
(Family Day! Significant others and children over 12)

Course Description:
Unlock Nature’s Hidden Messages and Deepen Your Outdoor Wisdom 
in this unique and engaging course. You’ll learn to see the natural world in a completely new way. By discovering how to find, interpret, and use tracks and sign, you’ll start to understand the silent stories animals leave behind and gain greater situational awareness wherever you roam.

You’ll also explore how to “read” trees and plants to help you find direction without a compass, learn to forecast weather changes by observing subtle cues in the environment, and even discover age-old natural signs used in gardening to guide planting and harvesting decisions.

Whether you're a hiker, hunter, gardener, or simply someone who wants to connect more deeply with the outdoors, this course will teach you to move beyond seeing — and start truly reading — the landscape around you.

The course is led by Craig Caudill, best-selling author and expert instructor, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as a trusted survival and tracking contractor for both federal and state governments. His unique approach combines practical field expertise with an engaging teaching style, making him a sought-after authority in his field. Read more about Craig on his website at www.naturereliance.org

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July 24, 2025 (Previous program)
Introduction to Man-tracking: Boost Your Awareness and Find the Signs

Course Description:
Discover the Foundations of Man-tracking and Transform How You See the Outdoors
In this hands-on introductory course, you’ll learn the fundamental skills of man-tracking — the ancient yet practical art of following and interpreting human sign in the natural environment.

Ideal for first responders, law enforcement, search and rescue volunteers, or anyone who wants to heighten their outdoor awareness. This course shows you how to read the ground like a book and find clues that most people would miss. You’ll learn to see subtle ground disturbances, recognize sign away from the ground (such as broken branches or displaced rocks), and understand how human movement patterns reveal the story of who went where — and why.

Whether you’re looking to improve your safety skills, prepare for emergencies, or simply deepen your connection to the outdoors, this course will open your eyes to an entirely new layer.

The course is led by Craig Caudill, best-selling author and expert instructor, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as a trusted survival and tracking contractor for both federal and state governments. His unique approach combines practical field expertise with an engaging teaching style, making him a sought-after authority in his field. Read more about Craig on his website at www.naturereliance.org.
 

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Aug 16, 2025 (Previous program)

Learn to Hunt: Build Skills, Confidence, and Connection to the Wild
 

Course Description:
Take Your First Confident Steps into the World of Hunting
If you've always wanted to learn to hunt but didn’t know where to begin, this hands-on course is your ideal starting point.

Designed for beginners and those seeking a solid foundation, this course covers all the essential skills to help you step into the woods ethically, safely, and with a deeper understanding of wildlife and the environment.

• Understanding wildlife behavior and habitat patterns

• Scouting techniques and interpreting sign in the field

• Core safety practices and legal responsibilities every hunter must know

• Basic gear overview, including firearm and bow handling fundamentals

• Ethical harvest methods and conservation principles to honor the land and the animal
   

You won’t just learn theory, you’ll get outside to practice, observe, and apply these skills in real time. Whether your interest is in deer, turkey, small game, or simply becoming more attuned to wild spaces, this course opens the door to a lifelong connection with the outdoors.
 

The course is led by Nature Reliance School instructors renowned for their practical, engaging approach to learning. Read more about Craig and the team at www.naturereliance.org.

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Nov 1, 2025

Game Processing & Feast: From Field to Table
 

Course Description:
Master the Art of Processing and Preparing Wild Game and Savor the Results
Join us for an immersive, hands-on experience where you’ll learn to process, handle, and prepare wild game safely and confidently. This unique course demystifies the journey from field to table, empowering you to take full responsibility for your harvest and enjoy it as a nourishing meal.
 

Guided by experienced Nature Reliance School instructors, you’ll discover how to:

• Field dress and break down small game like rabbit and quail, plus deer (if available from local hunters)

• Read organs and tissue to ensure the health and safety of the animal for consumption

• Understand critical techniques for handling both small and large game in the field and at home

• Prepare wild game using modern kitchen methods (stove and oven) as well as traditional open-fire cooking
   

After learning the processing skills, we’ll come together to prepare and enjoy a feast featuring the day’s harvest. You’ll get to taste dishes cooked over a fire and in the kitchen, gaining a full appreciation for the versatility and richness of wild game.
 

This course is the perfect way to deepen your self-reliance skills and build confidence before winter. Whether you’re a new hunter, a seasoned woods wanderer, or someone who wants to learn more about ethical, sustainable food, you’ll leave with practical knowledge and a full belly.

 

The course is led by Craig Caudill and the Nature Reliance School team, known for their down-to-earth teaching style and passion for ethical harvesting and wild food traditions. Read more about Craig and the team at www.naturereliance.org.

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