Starting A Survival School? Whats Needed? How to Go About It?

[woods4ever]

Hi I am 21 and from Texas and before I get into this let me give you my back ground. Since 18 I have gained a great deal of knowledge and experience with Wilderness survival skills both in practice and teaching. I was hired and have taught at 2 Boy Scout Camps for 2 months at a time for each camp. I have also taught survival and first aid to numerous Boy Scout Troops for back country High Adventures and also 2 Wilderness survival High Adventures. My skill set includes but not limited to: Primitive fire starting, Basic survival skills, Shelter building, land navigation with and without compass, traps/snares, water purification, hunting & gathering, Wild edible and medicinal plants, CPR & Wilderness First Aid (but is now EXPIRED).

So with that comes my question. In working towards starting a school (Down The Road Some Where) what would be the best steps in order to create a good background to let people know you're knowledge and skills are worth their money and time? Also what areas or parts of the US would be a good area to consider? I think getting more knowledge will definitely help me especially from other schools, and possibly working at some would create contacts. Anyone who has done this what would also be the cost of starting one up?

Thanks

[Rick]

Here is a very similar thread. See post 2 and 4

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/showthread.php?23949-Survival-School&highlight=survival+school

I don't know where in Texas you are located so here is a search on Texas business incubators.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1GTPM_enUS587US587&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=texas%20small%20business%20incubators&safe=off

[Sarge47]

It's two-parts; experience is one thing, business savvy is the other. You will also need to carry liability insurance to cover the risks involved, which may put it into the "high-risk" category. You might be better off getting a job as an instructor at a school that is already established...:cowboy:

[crashdive123]

Here is a very similar thread. See post 2 and 4

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/showthread.php?23949-Survival-School&highlight=survival+school

I don't know where in Texas you are located so here is a search on Texas business incubators.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1GTPM_enUS587US587&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=texas%20small%20business%20incubators&safe=off

Yep - these are good answers and a good place for you to start. Please feel free to ask anything if you come up with questions about the process or something specific about a step.

[Canoetripper]

I thought we went over this last week.....................................
can we move on to important things like
the best survival knife or gun.....................
or I'm moving to the woods
you know the good stuff................................

[woods4ever]

Sorry I wasn't aware this happened last week I'm new to the whole forum thing, but thanks for the help that definitely gives me a direction on where to start. Rick I'm located in the Dallas Fort Worth area right now, it is where I grew up so I have access for rooming with friends and family. I can't seem to find to much on what is required to instruct and teach at some schools. Would taking courses at one of them be the best way to become a instructor at one of them? I imagine it would also give me an idea of how the business and school would work in trying to establish my own if I went that route.

[crashdive123]

I thought we went over this last week.....................................
can we move on to important things like
the best survival knife or gun.....................
or I'm moving to the woods
you know the good stuff................................

Covering things that have been discussed previously happens often on forums. Some forums have members that will try and be helpful (this one I like to think) others do not, and is why I am not a member of those forums.

[crashdive123]

Sorry I wasn't aware this happened last week I'm new to the whole forum thing, but thanks for the help that definitely gives me a direction on where to start. Rick I'm located in the Dallas Fort Worth area right now, it is where I grew up so I have access for rooming with friends and family. I can't seem to find to much on what is required to instruct and teach at some schools. Would taking courses at one of them be the best way to become a instructor at one of them? I imagine it would also give me an idea of how the business and school would work in trying to establish my own if I went that route.
No worries on asking a question that has been discussed before. Happens all the time. The teaching part is a big part of it, but no more important than the business part of it.

As far as "learning to teach"........for some people it comes naturally and for others it does not. I was a Master Training Specialist in the military and taught many different technical type classes. For that - a good rule of thumb was for every hour of instruction, I had a week or more of preparation and practice. My college degree is in education. I consider myself pretty good at "teaching". I say these things, not to give a resume, but rather to point out that these things do not "qualify" me to run a wilderness survival school. Running a successful business is so much more involved than just teaching.

I think you need to look at the whole picture and not just focus on the teaching. All aspects are important.

[crashdive123]

As far as some tips on teaching........

Video tape yourself teaching a topic or subject - bow drill for example. Then watch the video. When you watch it, come at it from the point of view that you know nothing about the topic. You will - in time - be your own worst critic. You've got to be honest in your assessment.

Did you communicate effectively?
Any ums or errs?
Any distracting movements?

You probably get the picture.

[Rick]

+1 on this one. I've done this very thing when teaching a class I have not taught before. This exercise will convey very quickly which areas you need to brush up on. Your confidence and command of a subject are displayed in body language so it's important to be aware of what your body is saying. You will also want to study the different types of learners and how best to reach out to them. It's important to engage all types of learners or you will leave some students in the dust.

The business piece of it cannot be overstated. You may be the best survival instructor in the world but if you have no knowledge of how to run a business you won't be an instructor very long. At least not in your school.

[woods4ever]

Ok thanks allot. This has been very helpful and the idea of video taping while teaching a subject is a great idea. I think becoming a instructor at a already established school might be the best route for now. Thanks for all your input and advice.

[hunter63]

I don't know if you checked out this thread....
http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/showthread.php?23949-Survival-School

Guy posted it about a year ago....and has come back to say he is successful.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

[finallyME]

I don't think you have enough experience. My advice....take a survival course (or several) from reputable schools. Then try and be an instructor with one. Only after being an instructor for several years at a reputable school will you know what it takes to run your own school. Well, at least you will get a taste.

[Sarge47]

Ok thanks allot. This has been very helpful and the idea of video taping while teaching a subject is a great idea. I think becoming a instructor at a already established school might be the best route for now. Thanks for all your input and advice.

One of the most intelligent answers that we've received yet! We get quite a few on here that want to be the next best survival school owner. Most are impatient and/or are rash! One of our members not only has a school in New York, but is the author of "Build the perfect Survival Kit." John D. McCann..... :cowboy:

[Desert Rat!]

You might also attend a Survival School yourself, see how others are doing it.

[Mason]

Film yourself out in the wild trying to survive for 2 weeks to prove your knowledge. Being 21 means the older guys that are in the class won't think you have as much wisdom. If I was you, I would go with the younger kids. You already have background for it. Also, if your a kid teacher, kids lookup and think cool of someone 15-25 years old.

[crashdive123]

Film yourself out in the wild trying to survive for 2 weeks to prove your knowledge. Being 21 means the older guys that are in the class won't think you have as much wisdom. If I was you, I would go with the younger kids. You already have background for it. Also, if your a kid teacher, kids lookup and think cool of someone 15-25 years old.

One thing that you will learn as you get older and if you ever decide to go into business is that you need to not only have a client base that has the desire to take your classes, but you also need them to have the money to do so.

[SARSpecialist]

Sent you a PM


Hi I am 21 and from Texas and before I get into this let me give you my back ground. Since 18 I have gained a great deal of knowledge and experience with Wilderness survival skills both in practice and teaching. I was hired and have taught at 2 Boy Scout Camps for 2 months at a time for each camp. I have also taught survival and first aid to numerous Boy Scout Troops for back country High Adventures and also 2 Wilderness survival High Adventures. My skill set includes but not limited to: Primitive fire starting, Basic survival skills, Shelter building, land navigation with and without compass, traps/snares, water purification, hunting & gathering, Wild edible and medicinal plants, CPR & Wilderness First Aid (but is now EXPIRED).

So with that comes my question. In working towards starting a school (Down The Road Some Where) what would be the best steps in order to create a good background to let people know you're knowledge and skills are worth their money and time? Also what areas or parts of the US would be a good area to consider? I think getting more knowledge will definitely help me especially from other schools, and possibly working at some would create contacts. Anyone who has done this what would also be the cost of starting one up?

Thanks

[lukeearthwalker]

Hello guys,
I'm a 41-year-old ex-teacher (12 years of teaching experience in a private military school in Virginia) looking for help organizing a survival school. Are there any tips and tricks from amateurs here (those who started from the beginning without any experience in leading a business)? I also worked in a Boy Scout Camp last year.




Forum > Survival > General Survival Discussion > Survival techniques and a business plan ************ to download the schemes >> Starting A Survival School? How to Go About It?

[lukeearthwalker]

I found a couple of schools in Virginia (like Advanced Survival Training or Mountain Shepherd Wilderness Survival School) and I'm afraid of the competition, because it's not so easy... Should I just get employed as an instructor in one of the schools and give up the idea of my own school? Thanks.

[Rick]

Welcome and see the link in post 2.

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

If I wasn't so tired I would start a survival school. Maybe tomorrow....

The first thing we would do in my survival school would be to build an Air Conditioner...

Alan

[Rick]

You may be a candidate for the F.A.R.T.s

[Drake12321]

Thanks for the info. I am starting to develop in this direction.

[Plainsman]

I would suggest getting a hold of *******! He did this and now even has a book and classes to get you started in your own business! I have the book, btw, along with most of his survival books, but haven't taken the classes, which he just released via video this spring.

Good luck!

[Rick]

I removed your link. The OP posted six years ago so he's never going to see it anyway. Providing links to other survival sites is not really good form and is against the rules.

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

I'm starting a survival school tomorrow. I finally got electricity wired into the shop and tomorrow I'll hang lights and wire them myself. Since I view electricity as magic, I'm hoping to SURVIVE and not electrify the entire metal building. I feel fairly confident I can do this, have it actually work AND survive. If I don't post tomorrow night check the obits.

Alan

[Michael aka Mac]

I think the real question is what is involved with starting a company in general. It may seem like being your own boss and starting up a business is easier then working for someone in that field. Some things you may not know

Steps needed:

1) need to get a lawyer
a) coming up w/Company name: lawyer will do name searches to see if name is taken. Surprisingly, this can take some time to find a name not in use.
b)lawyer will get you incorporated & supply you with your tax ID and company Seal
2) need to get corporate insurance
3) need to do advertising
4) need to make business cards
5) find a business location
6) setup a telephone number
7) put ads out for getting staff help (someone needs to answer the phones)
8) need to get a tax consultant / accountant
9) need to buy all the materials, gear, tools, etc for your line of work
10)need to hire a webpage designer and setup your website
11)need to hire a photographer to photo your location & staff for webpage & advertising
12)need to open a bank account in company's name
13) need to get medical insurance too

For the specific business of being a Survival Instructor, most states require you to pass a physical exam and have outdoor survival certification for you to be permitted to be a guide or survival instructor.

For those that think this is easy, running a company is a full time job, and that is just running the company and not doing the work that the company does. You spend a lot of time on the phone with accountants, lawyers, advertisers, customer support, the IRS, banks, web admins, and manufacturers that you buy from. I was a corporate consultant working with startup companies, doing all the ins and outs of running a company took as much work as doing the jobs i was hired for. Not to mention, it is very stressful running your own company, and I have to admit, not having a steady paycheck like you would if you were working for someone, makes life rather unpredictable financially

Honestly if I could have done it all over again differently, I am not sure if I would have ever gone to business for myself. Oh and btw, you are responsible for setting up your own retirement & health benefits, and a majority of businesses go bankrupt, another thing to consider...

[Rick]

That's one way. I incorporated myself and applied for my tax ID. A name search is rather straight forward. Help me out. First, you tell us you're a "Freelance Outdoor Gear Reviewer", then your "an electronic computer technician," and now your a "corporate consultant working with startup companies". Busy guy.

[crashdive123]

I started and ran a successful business for over 20 years. Never once contacted a lawyer for matters related to the business. I agree that there is a lot involved, but not quite the process that you describe (at least not for me).

[DSJohnson]

"For the specific business of being a Survival Instructor, most states require you to pass a physical exam and have outdoor survival certification for you to be permitted to be a guide or survival instructor."

Michael AKA Mac,
Could you help me find the list of states that regulate "survival school instructors"? I also have not found any states, in the U.S., that require or legislate any rules about "passing a physical exam" to be an instructor. HELP
Thank you in advance...
Dave

[Old GI]

I think the real question is what is involved with starting a company in general. It may seem like being your own boss and starting up a business is easier then working for someone in that field. Some things you may not know

Steps needed:

1) need to get a lawyer
a) coming up w/Company name: lawyer will do name searches to see if name is taken. Surprisingly, this can take some time to find a name not in use.
b)lawyer will get you incorporated & supply you with your tax ID and company Seal
2) need to get corporate insurance
3) need to do advertising
4) need to make business cards
5) find a business location
6) setup a telephone number
7) put ads out for getting staff help (someone needs to answer the phones)
8) need to get a tax consultant / accountant
9) need to buy all the materials, gear, tools, etc for your line of work
10)need to hire a webpage designer and setup your website
11)need to hire a photographer to photo your location & staff for webpage & advertising
12)need to open a bank account in company's name
13) need to get medical insurance too

For the specific business of being a Survival Instructor, most states require you to pass a physical exam and have outdoor survival certification for you to be permitted to be a guide or survival instructor.

For those that think this is easy, running a company is a full time job, and that is just running the company and not doing the work that the company does. You spend a lot of time on the phone with accountants, lawyers, advertisers, customer support, the IRS, banks, web admins, and manufacturers that you buy from. I was a corporate consultant working with startup companies, doing all the ins and outs of running a company took as much work as doing the jobs i was hired for. Not to mention, it is very stressful running your own company, and I have to admit, not having a steady paycheck like you would if you were working for someone, makes life rather unpredictable financially

Honestly if I could have done it all over again differently, I am not sure if I would have ever gone to business for myself. Oh and btw, you are responsible for setting up your own retirement & health benefits, and a majority of businesses go bankrupt, another thing to consider...

Add: Buy booths at Trade Shows that specialize in your area and work them with most of the above, e,g. business cards, displays with photos/videos of y0u training, etc. A company I worked for right after my Army retirement and I did those kinds of shows for three years. A while ago but it should still apply

[Michael aka Mac]

DSJohnson: From what I have read, at least if i understood them correctly, many states require the same from an outdoor guide as they do an outdoor survival instructor, when I find the original website I will post that also but until then, these sites mention this for guides, just the wording was not updated for survival instructor.
https://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/30969.html
https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/legal_protection_pdf/drstatemnt.pdf
https://howtostartanllc.com/business-ideas/survival-school

Add: Buy booths at Trade Shows that specialize in your area and work them with most of the above, e,g. business cards, displays with photos/videos of y0u training, etc. A company I worked for right after my Army retirement and I did those kinds of shows for three years. A while ago but it should still apply... written by OLD GI

Old GI that is probably one of the best ways to get business there is, not to mention a great way to do networking. Great idea, and good save...

Rick, I think I read somewhere that the average person ends up having 3-5 career changes in their lifetime. Think we can now add a couple career changes due to this pandemic.

The company I originally started was Consulting for startup & small size companies over 25 years ago. I would evaluate their company and introduce new technologies that could either increase their production or by saving them money by the new tech. I realized that a majority of the hands-on-portion of installing and implementing the equipment could be done by myself, since I had the technical background (engineering, computer programming, & electronic repair, and networking), so I decided to do the technical aspect of the job too. I later realized I could skip the middleman for acquiring the technology and got a wholesale license. In the end I ended up getting more then one paycheck, one for the consulting, one for implementation, sale of the technology, another for repairs and last for web and programming development or for teaching their employees how to use the new technology.

When the pandemic hit I started to do Freelance gear reviewing to not only pass the time, but out of enjoyment. Considering the lockdown, I am glad I did as it saved me from boredom. This didn't require me to be around people, and I could do my outdoor activities while testing the gear I was reviewing. Perfect job if you ask me.

But Rick, if that seemed like a lot, prior to starting my own company I was a professional Type setter for a printing press company, electrician internship, plumber internship, set designer/builder for professional play/musical theatres, and I also did roofing, fencing, brick laying, concrete, house painting, and one job using all the skills combined, building an extension to a house, on stilts, a bathroom. OH you can also throw in there tractor trailer mechanical & body repair ( spot welding, arc welding). There was also a couple of years that I was doing professional hookups for DJs, sound recording studios, and even Broadcasting Schools.

Rick, I had lived with my grandfather for several years, and other then the Type setting and set design for theatre, and audio/video hookups, he had taught me all the rest of the above professions. It is because of his teachings that I was able to get jobs and internships in the fields. He was a very smart handy guy, passed away couple of years ago. He owned a moving company w/warehouse and several real estate properties nearby and it seemed every week one of them needed a roof repair or a window or door replaced, electric or plumbing work done, new driveway or new fence, etc.. Kind of one of the main reasons i never invested in real estate, too much work lol

I am just glad I didn't go with my heart and become a chef. I love to cook, but the 80% fail rate over 5 years was just too risky, and not a stable way to support one's family.

[madmax]

Oh good Lord.

[madmax]

Go camping....in New York.

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

I used to be a Cowboy, well, actually I was a ranch hand, but I always put Cowboy on my resume. That way I didn't have to explain the spurs and the hat. Sometimes they asked about the boxers but mostly prospective employers just skipped any workplace dress code questions...

But what I really wanted to be was an engineer... you know the kind on a train. Looked like the easiest job in the world. It's not like you have to drive it, just hang out the window and blow the dang horn.

Alan

[WolfVanZandt]

Yeah, I was a Cowboy for a few months. I wore blue jeans and tennis shoes. I had to burn them when I got another job.