Virginia boasts beautiful mountains in places, such as Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The state also has many different wilderness schools geared to both teens and adults. These schools cover everything from building fires without matches to what plants to eat to camping and survival skills.
Earth Connection
Earth Connection offers classes in Somerville, Virginia, where students are removed from running water and electricity, though students are not too far from their vehicles. Earth Connection teaches participants how to create fire using friction and also about what wild plants are edible.
Earth Connection
PO Box 32
Somerville, VA 22739
(540) 270-2531
Mountain Shepherd Wilderness Survival School
Mountain Shepherd Wilderness Survival School offers a variety of courses, from basic survival skills to more advanced wilderness learning, including map and compass and first aid. It is located in Catawba, Virginia, and also provides private instruction.
Mountain Shepherd Wilderness Survival School
57 Hemlock Ridge Lane
Catawba, Virginia 24070
(434) 238-3718
The Living Earth School
The Living Earth School is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and offers programs, ranging from simple survival to animal tracking to father/son and mother/daughter programs.
The Living Earth School
101 Rocky Bottom Lane
Afton, VA 22920
(540) 456-7339
Nature Awareness School
Nature Awareness School is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Lyndhurst. The school offers both basic and advanced week-long survival courses, as well as more personalized retreats and introductory nature courses.
Nature Awareness School
P.O. Box 219-I
Lyndhurst, VA 22952
(540) 377-6068
About The Author
Candace Horgan has worked as a freelance journalist for more than twelve years. She contributes regularly to the "Denver Post," "Mix" and other publications. Horgan holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and history.
