Wilderness Survival School

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Startup Cost
$15,000-$65,000
Difficulty
Intermediate
Time to Profit
12-24 months
Profit Potential
$60,000-$270,000/year

Overview

Wilderness survival schools teach primitive skills, bushcraft, fire-making, shelter building, foraging, and outdoor self-reliance through courses and workshops.

With outdoor self-reliance interest growing and 'prepper' culture mainstream, schools generate revenue of $95,000-$310,000 with 60-75% margins.

Services include weekend survival courses, week-long immersions, corporate team building, youth camps, instructor certifications, and specialized skills (tracking, fire, foraging).

Pricing typically $200-$600 per person for weekend course.

Success factors include expert wilderness skills, outdoor teaching land access, progression from beginner to advanced, hands-on experiential learning, and targeting outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, and families.

Marketing focuses on outdoor forums, YouTube survival content, and social media.

Required Skills

  • Wilderness survival expertise
  • Primitive skills and bushcraft
  • Teaching and instruction
  • Land access for training
  • Risk management
  • Outdoor education

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • High margins on courses
  • Growing self-reliance interest
  • Weekend workshop format
  • Corporate team building
  • Passionate student base

Cons

  • Seasonal business
  • Land access required
  • Liability concerns
  • Weather dependent
  • Building credibility

How to Get Started

  1. Develop wilderness skills expertise
  2. Secure land for courses
  3. Create course curriculum
  4. Get insurance
  5. Market to outdoor enthusiasts
  6. Build YouTube presence
  7. Offer progression from beginner to advanced

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