Weekend Survival 101 Class (Self-Reliance Skills)
From $97.50
Description
Price: $395 (all meals included plus free camping)
Discounts
#1: Child 1/2 Price: $197.50 (for those under 12 accompanied by parent or adult at regular price)
#2: 2 Adults for $750
Class Length
2 ½ Days (5 PM Friday evening to 3 PM Sunday afternoon)
Meals included? – YES
Class Dates
May 23-25, 2025
July 25-27, 2025
Sept. 26-28, 2025
Prerequisites: None
Class Location: Richfield Heritage Preserve Facility 4374 Broadview Rd. Richfield, Ohio 44286
For SIGNED-UP STUDENTS: Information on Class Meet up location on the first day of the Class (Friday at 5 PM) – “CLICK HERE“
Overview of the Class
We limit classes to 15 or less to insure you will get the personal instruction you deserve.
This class is a condensed version of the Survival 101 6 Day class and is designed for people who want to be prepared for a future emergency but have limited time. We will be covering the basics of Shelter, Fire, Water and Food. This will give you the necessary skills to meet any unexpected emergency in the future. During the class there will be an area available for you to camp-out for the weekend, or there are motels and hotels within a 15 minute drive of the class. Physical fitness is not required for this class since it will be knowledge based hands-on learning and not hiking long distances or carrying heavy packs!
This weekend class differs from the Survival 101 – 6 Day Class in the depth we go into each topic and the number of survival topics covered. We cannot put 6 days of material and hands-on training in a 2 day class, but we do a very good job of teaching you the essentials of survival in this weekend class. Think of it as going to see Disney World in Florida you can see the entire park in one day (our Weekend Survival Class) but you would see and do more if you took 3 or 4 days to visit the park (our 6 Day Survival 101 Class)
What you will Learn…
- How to make yourself “Lost-Proof”.
- The “One Match Fire”. A technique valuable for both survival situations and your next outdoor barbecue. Also various Fire Lays and how to make fire without matches, first using the traditional Flint and Steel method and then the Bow Drill.
- Primitive Traps to get you food in an emergency.
- How to choose a knife and knife sharpening techniques
- How to construct one of the most effective Outdoor Shelters available: a shelter with a temperature range of 5oF to 90oF.
- Water Collection and Purification techniques, both natural and man-made will be covered in detail. The differences between Water Filters and Water Purifiers will be discussed.
- Other topics such as Knife Sharpening (for both hunting and kitchen knives), Food Procurement and Cooking Techniques will be covered.
- How to design and construct a “Survival Kit”
- Open discussions during the nighttime camp fires.
Meals
Meals will be provided during the class. The following is a “typical menu” for this class; however we reserve the right to modify or change some of the meals. If you prefer not to eat one or more of these meals, then you are welcome to use the camp kitchen to prepare a substitute meal that you provide for yourself or dine on the Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches that we will have available in camp. The typical menu (subject to change) for this class would be:
Friday Dinner – Spaghetti or Rigatoni, tomato sauce, rolls, butter, Parmesan cheese
Saturday Breakfast – Scrambled eggs and Breakfast Bars
Saturday Lunch – BLTs (bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, bread, mayo) & Chips
Saturday Dinner – Kielbasa Kabobs (Kielbasa, pineapple, red and green peppers, onions)
Sunday Breakfast – Mountain Man Breakfast (Ash cakes, Johnny Cakes, berries, sausage cinnamon apples baked in “silver leaf” )
Sunday Lunch – Hot Dogs, Peanut Butter, & Jelly, chips and fruit, Vegetarian Chili, Hummus or similar
Frequently Asked Question:
Do I have to “eat bugs” at class?
No you will not have to “eat bugs” at class. We will discuss how you can do it in the future if you want to but with the edible plants we will teach you and the dead-fall and snare traps you will learn eating bugs just doesn’t come into play (unless your on a TV show and the shows producer wants you to eat some to bump up the shows ratings).
Can I stay in a Motel if I do not want to camp out for this class?
Yes you can. It’s nice to camp-out at class to enjoy the late night campfires but if you have back problems or would just like to have a hot shower every morning here is a list of local hotels, motels or even a B & B you can stay at.
CLICK HERE for local Hotels/Motels
CLICK HERE for local Bed & Breakfast Lodgings
I’m not in great physical shape, can I still take the class? Will there be a lot of walking?
Yes you can take the class and no there will not be a lot of walking or hiking. In both of our Survival 101 Classes we focus your time on hands-on skills and knowledge. There is not need to hike you any distance to learn that. Likewise this is a hands-on skills and knowledge based class so physical strength or endurance is not necessary.
I’ve never been camping before or know anything about survival, will I be embarrassed in the class?
No you will ever be embarrassed in class! We DO NOT “call people out” nor do we make them perform tasks in front of the group. If you want to try out camping for the first time this is the perfect place to do it., our instructors will be around to offer a helping hand, or you can just stay in one of the local hotels or motels for the 2 nights. As far as the skills go, we start at the beginning to build up everyone knowledge base so everyone will have the basics as the class progresses. You will never be “put on the spot” at class.
What if it rains?
Bring a raincoat or poncho as well as water-proof boots or shoes. There will be a pavilion for us to “hide from the rain drops” for some sections but thats the type of situation to learn these skills in so that on a clear dry day you’ll look like an expert.
Is there a bathroom there or will we have to “use the woods”?
Yes there will be an old-fashion” outhouse” on site (but it has no running water) in the next building over.
Is there a place I can take a shower?
Yes and No… there is not a community shower on site however you are welcome to bring a solar shower and privacy tarp to use in the morning or evening. There is also a Pilot Travel Center Truck Stop about 10 minutes from camp that has showers available for $12. You can drive there either before or after the days activities to shower if you like. However since this only a 3 day class most people take a “sponge bath” in their tents using “baby wipes”.
How far will I have to hike in with my gear?
You will park your vehicle a the parking lot which will be about a 1/4 mile from where you will be camping so it will be a very short walk on flat ground. You can go back to your vehicle anytime you like during the class.
What would you suggest I bring to class if I will be camping out?
Click Here for a list of items you may want to bring to class.
What do I need to bring to class if I am going to stay in a hotel ?
The list above is still what I would suggest you bring to class, just eliminate the tent, sleeping bag, ground pad and pair of wool sleeping socks.
Can I take your Survival 201 – Applications & Techniques Class after I complete this weekend class?
Yes you can…IF you practice the skills you learned in this class.
What if I need to cancel my reservation for class?
Click Here for our full Refund Policy
Answers to other Questions people ask…
Note: The Weekend class will satisfy your prerequisite to continue in our course sequence to Survival 201. However due to the limited time in this class, if you plan to continue on and take the Survival 201 – Applications & Techniques class, you will need to practice the skills and techniques you acquire in this class on your own in order to become proficient with the skills to get the most out of the Survival 201 class.
Click HERE to read our Class Refund Policy
Geoff (verified owner) –
Just finished the Weekend 101 course, and it was outstanding. Tom’s knowledge and experience in survival was evident all through the course. The class is an outstanding value with no need to purchase loads of gear or worry about planning food for the weekend. The class covered the basics of fire-building, knot-tying, shelter-building, procuring water, signaling, survival kits, weather, knife maintenance, and being aware of your surroundings. Tom focused on letting students learn from their levels of experience. Getting to know Tom, his colleague Brad, and the other students was a real bonus as well. Highly recommend this class.
Tom S –
This course far exceeded my expectations. It was amazing how much content was covered in one weekend. I took a lot of notes. I am not sure how much I would have retained without notes to remind me what was taught. There is instruction and a lot of hands on work to practice the skills learned. The instruction is very interactive, which helps to retain the knowledge.
I wish I would have brought, but didn’t:
– a better sleeping bag and a stocking cap because the first night was cool and I was frozen (I didn’t bring the recommended sleeping bag, and I was sorry).
– a knife with a fixed or locking blade (I brought a pocket knife, but the knife did not have a locking blade. I had to borrow a knife from the instructor).
I wish I had left at home:
– You do not really need to bring any food, as there is more food provided than you will be able to eat.
– Water. I brought a big jug of water, but water was provided. Water is heavy. You will need a container to drink from.
Was glad I brought:
– Pad to sleep on.
– Small saw (on my pocket knife).
– Wool socks.
– Phone charger. I took a lot of pictures and some video, and it was good to be able to charge the phone at night.
The student/instructor ratio was perfect. There was lots of individual attention and the instructors were very knowledgeable and helpful. Bring your questions about gear, techniques and wild edibles. Every day ended with a relaxing time around the fire where people asked questions and just had a good time together.
Shane S (verified owner) –
I took the 101 survival class with my son. I was hoping to bond with him and give us a memory that would last.
I did accomplish the task. However, I did not expect to find an awesome learning experience with Tom. The weekend was packed with learning activities and knowledge I gained for the rest of my life.
The instructors were highly skilled – but humble at the same time. The instructors reveled every time I successfully achieved the task and they were so patient with helping myself learn a new skill set. They would not leave until all my questions were answered.
Even during break times they were working with students to reinforce skills learned.
I highly recommend attending the class. Do not buy a lot of gear before attending. Tom has several things for sale with no pressure to buy. If I would have attended before buying gear, it would have saved me hundreds of dollars. That being said, the list of suggested gear on the website is a very good starting point.
I will definitely be attending more classes in the near future.
Logan S –
Absolutely amazing class. You get to test your gear, learn incredibly crucial survival skills, and learn priceless knowledge. I learned things that I never knew could be done so efficiently without technology. The instructors are also incredibly knowledgeable and relaxed and willing to help explain things to you so you can succeed. Beyond just the skills and knowledge about plants and other things, the knowledge of what gear is pointless and what gear isn’t will save you HUNDREDS of dollars in the long run. If you are looking into getting into any sort of outdoorsy hobby take this class, you won’t regret it.
Ryan McMillen –
The best piece of advice I can give you is this. If you are wanting to get into camping, survival skills or SHTF scenarios, do yourself a favor and take this class first. Trust me, you will save a TON of money on stuff you shouldn’t buy or just don’t need! Tom and his assistants were extremely knowledgeable and helpful. The entire experience was not only extremely important to me from an information standpoint, it was also relaxing and fun! Tom tests your ideas about survival and never makes you feel stupid. I took the 101 class and if you know very little about any of this, it’s a great way to start. Now I have a new found interest in minimalistic camping and that’s funny because I’m just not that kind of person. That’s how good they are.
Rob Narolewski –
This class is tremendous. Tom, Brent and Brad are outstanding instructors who can adapt to whatever your skill level is. Our skill level was absolute beginner. These folks care about your experience and have put in a great deal of effort to prepare for the class and adjust it to the students. We expected to fool around, learn a few tips and spend time together (father and son). We received so much more. There weren’t any gimmicks or shortcuts. The instructors are the real deal. They encourage you the whole way and are friendly/approachable. There is a lot of discussion about gear and configurations but you really don’t need to bring much. After you complete a course, you will have a better idea of what you like and should purchase. I would recommend this school to anyone of any skill level that wants to get real training that will last a lifetime. You will not regret the investment.
Jaime E Collazo (verified owner) –
I am new to camping and survival Toms teaching method is so amazing that anyone from anywhere can understand and thrive in survival. Also Toms assistant are amazing and awesome people to talk to and learn from. If you are thinking about taking this class don’t wait any longer take it now you will not regret it.
Maggie Summers –
My husband took our 13 year old son to the Survival Weekend course. They learned so much and and loved it. This year, we are having our 9 year old go with dad. Should be a great time.
Alexa Gentile (verified owner) –
Empowering
Increased Awareness
Confidence Building
If I could give this 10 starts, I would. We felt like we were leaving a sage uncle when we left the class. We are newbies to survival and had no problem keeping up. None of our half-baked questions were deemed stupid and we never once felt like we couldn’t keep up. So if you’re hesitant because you don’t know much, don’t be. You’ll do well. What a special 48 hours of instruction. We felt every minute was used to the fullest and there was class from morning till night.
The meals being prepped and cooked allowed for the class to just focus on learning and doing. Brett and Brad were stellar TAs. We felt empowered afterwards and hope to share the skills we learned with others. We also hope to get into a week-long class after practicing what we learned.
Note on food: Very well provided for. I brought some gluten-free items to add or sub out so if you are worried about that, you don’t have to. Use a small cooler for anything you need to keep cool and shelf stable can be with you in a bag. It worked fine for me. I was able to augment with plants I foraged.
Dustin –
My wife and I celebrated our 10th anniversary with Tom and his knowledgeable instructors for the weekend 101 survival course. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, the experience, and the friendships that were forged. The human connection and time in nature is good for the soul! We were blessed with perfect September weather and I feel much more confident in my ability to handle an emergency/survival situation now having taken the course. We were exposed to a lot of information over the weekend that I am still learning about six weeks later; it is the gift that keeps on giving! Tom is a very likeable guy and I can’t say enough good things about his teaching style. Tom’s comprehensive approach provides you with immediate skills that you can take with you and leaves you hungry to continue to learn more. We took a lot of notes and go through them together to maintain the information in our minds. It is hard to articulate how good it feels to have had this in-person instruction and exposure to native skills that were developed through such trial and tribulation. I am thrilled to share these skills with my daughter so she may be confident and capable at whatever life throws at her.
My goal is to practice the skills learned in the three day course so that I may thrive in the week long course hopefully come spring.
We are grateful to Tom and his wife for providing this service and you can’t really appreciate the value of it until you experience it and realize how it applies to everything we do in life. You won’t regret taking this course!
Nicholle (verified owner) –
If you’re looking for an introductory class that will teach you basic skills in a fun and safe environment, this is it. Tom is a wealth of knowledge and experience. He and his assistants, Brad and Brent, were patient and respectful, and happy to answer any question (and there were a LOT of questions!). It helped that we had a great mix of people in our class, and beautiful September weather.
You will quickly realize how much you don’t know, and that realization opens the door to exploring and learning so many new things. This class isn’t just about survival—it’s also about respecting and working with nature. You will leave with a new perspective—and perhaps, if your life is moving at the speed of light (like mine), slow down a bit to re-evaluate where you’re going.
There is a TON of material covered in one weekend—each segment could easily be a one-day or weeklong class on its own. It’s kind of like a “pre-survival” survival class—you can dip your toe in and see if you want to take the dive with the weeklong course, which is more comprehensive (seriously, there’s just no way to fully cover all the material in 48 hours, though you do learn a lot). We built fires; tied knots; learned about knives; discussed water sources, supplies and first aid; and went searching for edible plants—and these are but a few of the many topics that were covered. I was engaged the entire weekend, and can’t wait to learn more.
I would recommend this course for just about anyone. Come alone, or with a spouse, significant other, son/daughter, or friend. You’ll get some exercise, but it’s not overly physical. You definitely need to be able to sit still for periods of time and concentrate (and take lots of notes!). Bring a comfortable camp chair, and perhaps a wagon to cart your stuff from your car to the campsite. Though there’s no running water or showers, the camp and the park are very clean and well maintained. Meals are even included with the class—you will not go hungry.
I really can’t say enough good things about this course and the entire weekend experience. Take it–you’ll be happy you did.
Veronica (verified owner) –
I had the pleasure of taking this class in May 2021. I had a certain ideology upon arrival that was completely blown out of the water ! The professionalism and also the information was a general overview yet we (as a collective group) had various opportunities to hone in on those topics we were most interested in. Because I didn’t actually know what to expect, I found ALL the information necessary. Tom was beyond open and receptive to the needs of the people in attendance at opposed to sticking to a strict schedule based off of his prior classes or so. This made the class, in my opinion, very engaging and also fun for example myself and one of my peers was very interested in practicing the different knots and how to tie each depending on the need; however other people were more interested in doing a great job with trap setting & learning how to whittle wood down. In my green, naivety I believed that I would walk away with a wealth of knowledge in a given subject however what I left with was a more holistic understanding of nature principles & modus operandi. We learned about water conservation, weather and how to dictate what to expect, we learned about where & how one should set up a tent in specific areas and also the reality of never being able to anticipate all possibilities in advance. I highly recommend the opportunity to take this class in particular in preparation for what’s to come in this world. Despite any one personal belief the writing is on the wall for those who are able to see. Tom is an excellent leader and also funny and patient. I am more than thrilled to take any additional classes that he has on offer to become more well rounded and able to sustain myself and loved ones in general. The basis of this information is typical Native American lifestyle foundation and also explores how to deal with different elements and needs in the wild. I one hundred percent recommend this course and it is worth double the money it is being offered for.
Bill Fleischer (verified owner) –
Great course!! Can say enough good about the knowledge learned here. I brought my 11 year old son with me and was an awesome experience. Instructors are very knowledgeable. Its a fun weekend of camping(meals provided) with class after class of the best skills to learn in the woods. My son learned to start a fire with a bow drill and flint and steel!! I learned that I can camp comfortably anywhere with a back pack of supplies. For years I have always taken way too much stuff and in a weekend learn I don’t need half of what I would take. Thank you Tom, you gave me an awesome bonding weekend with my son as well as skills that we are both excited to keep growing. See you at the 201 in the future. In the meantime we are headed back to the woods to practice our new skills.
If you are not sure about the class I am hear to say just do it, you will not regret it at all. Cant say enough good about the class and instructors!!
Breton Lutz (verified owner) –
Wow, what a great weekend. Just to put the review in context, here is us…
Me – former Marine Corps Infantry…but that was a really long time ago, many of the practical outdoor skills have been crowded out of my brain by work, family of 5 and other day to day. Our family enjoys camping and we go on a couple trips a year, typically where the car is about 20′ away from the tent, or in a cabin, and just for a day or two.
My Daughter – just turning 11. She is a scout, very much enjoys the outdoors, and has been reading survival books and collecting her own “bug out bag” gear, mostly as birthday and Christmas presents over the last couple of years. She is well studied and mature, and has a deep interest in survival skills, the great outdoors and being self-reliant.
My wife found MNSI by hunting around on Google and thought it would be a great idea for my daughter and I to attend as a birthday present for her. Honestly, due to the business of day to day, I quickly agreed, called Tom (the Director) and had a conversation that sealed the deal.
Thoughts on the class in no particular order….
-NOTE: this is by no means a youth class, but youth can attend. In my honest opinion, if you are doing this because you WANT your child to be interested in the subject matter, I would leave them at home and go yourself, bring the skills back and introduce them to your family. If you child has a deep interest, and good attention span, take them along!
– My biggest concern in advance of the course was chemistry (this is a critical element to learning and having a good time). How would the instructors and students gel? How would they handle my daughter in the class? I couldn’t have been more pleased. Tom and his Teaching Assistants were very conscientious, patient, non-judgmental, knowledgeable, friendly, approachable, credible, caring, and sincere. While Tom is very knowledgeable, you also get the clear sense that he considers himself a lifelong student and is very open minded to learning new ideas and skills.
– Consider it a light camping trip, where other than sleeping, your activities are completely planned out (with some flexibility). The campgrounds are well maintained, little more than a tent, sleeping mat and bag (or hammock!), and mess kit (with mug) are required. We definitely overpacked gear (stove, e-tool, coffee pot) Plenty of food will be made, so really not much of a reason to bring very many snacks at all, we very much over brought snacks and such.
-You can look on the website to understand the material covered, but you may not get a sense of the true respect Tom and his Instructors have for nature, wildlife, and the individual. I really enjoyed that learning to be “less human” when in the woods was part of the course work, as it is no apparent to me how critical that aspect is if you actually need to survive (or frankly, just better enjoy your hiking or camping trip!!). Keep an OPEN MIND!
-Gear? Most gear you need to get through the class or continue to practice afterwards will be available for purchase at the camp (note, we bought several items and of course I checked after we got home and found NO BETTER DEALS for the same items online, in most cases online stores (including Prime) were more expensive (you get a discount buying at camp)
-Highlights? We started a fire rubbing 2 sticks together (literally! I’ve wanted to do that since I was 9!), learning traps, learning plants, learning about everything there is to know about fire, learning shelter, camp breakfast (the day we made old timey pioneer recipes)
-We plan to work out the 6 day 101 class when we can (or practice a lot and hit the 201, but again, she is almost 11, so there is time… and I could readily do that course again with full interest). Neither of us were ready to go home (we were the last students to leave camp!)
-No prerequisite knowledge or skills required…as a matter of fact, if you have it, I suggest you opt to silence it (like I did) and just learn everything new.
Who would I recommend this class to?
-Anyone interested in increasing their ability to become self-reliant in an emergency situation
-Anyone who has a family they want to be able to provide for in an emergency situation
-Parents or Grandparents who want to learn to function well in the outdoors in order to pass along a wealth of lost knowledge
-Parents or Individuals that want to explore camping, hiking and the outdoors, but want to learn to respect and understand them first as well as how to handle unexpected situations (or just impress the heck out of fellow campers)
-Scout leaders who want to hone outdoor skills and pass along tried and true methods
-Individuals that want to challenge themselves, and believe that exploration of nature is the next path there
-Active or Former Military that want to sharpen or rediscover knowledge of self-reliance
Summary
The course was worth the cost and surpassed our expectations. I believe this was the beginning of a long relationship with MNSI. Not only for my daughter, but for me as well. You don’t have to be a hardcore survivalist to get a lot out of this class, but if you are, I see this as a great entry point to self-reliance. If you have questions…just call Tom!
Kasey –
I’m quite happy to have taken the Weekend 101 class. It was jam-packed with information (I took 25 pages worth of notes!) that I will be passing on to my young son as we practice our outdoor skills this summer. We covered all kinds of topics: firemaking, shelter building, food and water, gear, wild plants, traps and so much more. Tom is extremely knowledgeable and approachable, and I really appreciated that he has spent time around the country learning native skills with all kinds of different folks and shares his knowledge so freely. My favorite thing we learned all weekend was how to become “invisible” in the woods and to broaden and slow our awareness to match the pace in nature.
The people taking the class and the instructors were super friendly and from all walks of life, and the food was unexpectedly delicious (smoked chicken!). You won’t go hungry. You get a list of gear to bring in advance. I would check on the water situation in advance; the list said to bring your own, but that had some available (so I had to haul my jugs a bit, but that was a minor inconvenience). Overall, this is a great experience, worth the money, and I’ve already recommended it to several of my friends who want to get more comfortable with outdoor skills. I feel much more empowered to go out and try stuff, and it getting back to nature and the “old ways” was the perfect antidote to an awful year of working constantly on a screen during the pandemic.
Andrew (verified owner) –
This was a very comprehensive beginner class. It covered the fundamentals of fire-making, so even if you know nothing about making fire, you will have an understanding of it; but it also covered techniques as advanced as the bow drill, a form of friction fire.
We also discussed and identified edible and medicinal plants, shelter building, traps (and built a trap), knots, etc. Everybody was friendly, especially the instructors.
What I liked most about the class was that it was a low pressure environment which is perfect for learning skills for the first time. I have taken other survival classes that were a bit more boot camp-esque, and while I did learn things from those classes, I think that the way Tom teaches is much better, especially for beginners.
I will say that if you have the time, it would be even more worth it to take the week long class so that you can explore the different topics with more depth. But the weekend course was a great way to pick up the skills and ideas of survival in a short amount of time.
Overall, great instructors, atmosphere, and a good comprehensive coverage of beginner skills that didn’t skimp on some more advanced things. I’m looking forward to taking the 201 course!
Britt Travis Ashley (verified owner) –
This course was awesome and exceeded every expectation. I highly recommend this to anyone wanting to gather the right skills, mindset and guidance on surviving on the basics in any circumstance. Both Tom and his assistant showed themselves highly qualified, not only to myself, but several other military members I knew that recommended him to me. More importantly, he cares about people and it shows. We are truly blessed to have him in our area! I’ll take future classes as well and continue to hone the skills he passed along to me and my son from his many years of experience and apprenticeship at different native tribes. Thanks Tom and Brad! I’m ready to get lost, and hope to make you proud!