In forging relationships with ourselves and the Earth, survival in the wild is one of the purest and most powerful tools. For the last two million years, the vast majority of our existence, humans and their predecessors knew how to live with the Earth and with each other. In the last two thousand years things have changed. Roots invites you to reclaim the birthright of survival skills, tracking, and awareness in this in depth experience and study.
The Wilderness Survival Immersion Project is a nine month journey into the world of wilderness survival skills. The program consists of intensive immersion weekends focused around the arts of procuring and producing shelter, water, fire, and food. Tracking and awareness will be a running theme to be built upon during each weekend. The course will intensify and focus throughout the year pushing students from beginners to competent and proficient survival practitioners and end with a four day survival trip in which we will test our learning.
Each weekend is roughly a month apart and the gap in between must be used for critical integration, in other words, the homework is a part of the class. Assignments will range from research to skills practice sessions and staff and students will be in contact in the midterm between each monthly weekend to update on progress, ask questions, and facilitate an at home learning curriculum. Students must be highly self motivated and passionate about learning.
Registration Instructions
- Download the WSIP APPLICATION, fill it out and mail or email it.
- Pay by mail or use the Buy Now button below
Basic Curriculum
Tracking and Awareness
- Clear Print ID
- Gait Studies
- Sign Tracking
- Trailing
- Naturalist Studies
- Bird Language
- Stalking and Camouflage
Shelter
- Debris Hut
- Quincy Hut
- Group Survival Shelters
Water
- Spring Identification
- Water Purification
- Primitive Water Vessels
Fire
- Fire Structures
- Fire by Friction
- Fire as a Tool
Food
- Wild Edibles and Tree Foods
- Primitive Weapons and Hunting Techniques
- Primitive Trapping
- Primitive Fishing
Primitive Skills
- Cordage and Fiber Arts
- Basketry
- Flint knapping and Stone Tools
Tuition and Registration
Early Registration Discounted Tuition: To receive the early registration discounted tuition of $1900, tuition must be received and fully paid by May 1st, 2010.
Tuition: After May 1st, 2010 tuition is $2000. Enclose $400.00 non-refundable deposit with your registration which is due no later than August 1st, 2010. If we have not recieved 6 applicants by this time we will not run the program. Full payment of the balance is expected on the first day of class unless arrangements for a Payment Plan or Grant have been made at the time of registration.
Trimester Payment Method: If you need to work out a long term payment method with Roots School we offer a trimester payment method in which three payments of $533.00 are due on Sept 1, Dec 5, April 3. The deposit of $400.00 is due by August 1st 2010. If we have not recieved 6 applicants by this time we will not run the program. If you start the program and are on a payment program we expect you to meet your entire financial commitment even if you choose to drop out of the program unless you choose to drop out from serious personal injury.
Grants: Qualifying Vermont residents may apply for Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, (VSAC) non-degree grants. Wilderness Survival Immersion Project is divided into two terms, and two applications to VSAC are necessary if you desire a grant for each term. We suggest that you apply well before the middle of 2010 for the first term Wilderness Survival Immersion Project, which begins in September 2010 You must apply in June 2010 for a grant for the second term. Be aware that VSAC begins its funding cycle in June of each year and awards grants on a first-come-first-serve basis while funds last. Please apply early!
Students who apply for VSAC grants are asked to submit $400.00 non-refundable deposit with your registration form. When the grant is issued in August and your tuition is fully paid, we will refund whatever amount of your deposit is in excess of the tuition. Students who receive a grant for the first term are responsible for the entire tuition regardless of attendance and regardless of the availability of a second-term grant. VSAC application forms may be obtained from Vermont Student Assistance Corporation: 1-800-882-4166 or write P.O. Box 2000, Champlain Mill, Winooski, VT 05404-2601.
Refund Policy: Tuition minus the deposit is refundable up to one month before the beginning of the program.