Class Preparation and Gear Guide for Nature Reliance School

Class Logistics and What to Expect

Nature Reliance School works hard to make your training safe, smooth, and enjoyable. The following information will help you plan your trip, prepare your gear, and understand what to expect during your course.

Location and Travel

• You will receive the exact class location by email at least two weeks prior to your training date.
• For travel planning, assume your destination will be the Lexington, Kentucky region.
• If you are flying in or need help arranging lodging before or after class, contact us at info@naturereliance.org ahead of time and we will happy to help
• We regularly rotate training sites to reduce environmental impact and practice responsible land stewardship.

Camping and Personal Gear

• Bring your own camping gear, food, and cooking supplies. Sharing tools and techniques around camp is part of the learning process, and students often trade ideas and test different setups. Please know that is not a requirement, just a suggestion.
• Bring enough water for yourself. A good estimate is one gallon per person per day. We keep extra on hand in case you underestimate your needs.
• Dogs are not allowed at any Nature Reliance School class.

Class Schedule

• Classes begin at 7 pm EST on Friday and end by 2 pm EST on Sunday.
• You may arrive anytime after 4 pm EST on Friday, but not earlier unless noted in your class email.
• Most basecamp setups are about 100 yards from the parking area, so plan your gear load accordingly. You may also camp at your vehicle if you prefer a more open space.

Age Requirements

• The recommended minimum age is 13.
• Younger participants may attend with prior approval from our instructor cadre. Contact info@naturereliance.org for details.

Books and Signed Copies

• If you own any of Craig Caudill’s books and want them signed, bring them to class.
• If you want to purchase books ahead of time, use the link provided in your class confirmation email.

Our Gear Philosophy

Our gear approach follows a simple idea. Level 1 classes focus on comfort and confidence, while Level 2 and more advanced classes focus on using fewer items as your knowledge grows.

Recommended Gear Lists

To save time and avoid repeating gear guidelines across multiple courses, we provide standard gear lists for all classes. If you have questions, reach out at info@naturereliance.org

• We offer loaner equipment for some items.
• Purchasing recommended gear early allows you to practice with it and receive meaningful feedback during class.
• Many of our recommended items support Nature Reliance School financially, which helps us keep tuition costs low.
• If you already have gear that fills the same role, bring it. We will help you understand the strengths and limitations of what you own.
• When possible, we provide good, better, best budget options to help you choose what fits your needs.

After You Register

Once you register for a class, you will receive a detailed follow-up email with:
• exact directions about two weeks after class.
• what to expect during your arrival and setup,
• updated gear recommendations if needed, and
• any class-specific information for your training weekend.

General recommendations for all classes:

• Notebook and pencil/pen, 
• A clipboard or similar for stable writing platform.
• Day Pack (Good, Better, Best)
• Basic First Aid Kit (we always have an extensive first aid kit on site for more involved issues)
• Water container (Bottle or Bladder) also bring 1 gallon of water per day for drinking and food prep for yourself.
• Head Lamp or Flashlight
• Camera for photos (cell phones welcome)
• Bug spray and sunscreen
• Weather-related gear, we train rain or shine.
• Sleep system of your choice (hammock, tent or tarp).  NRS has very few extra items and you can borrow, please contact us early if you want some of these supplies as they go quickly.
• Food and food-prep supplies (you are responsible for your own food and preparation of it)
• Personal toiletries and water for your use.  There are bathrooms or outhouses on our various training sites.  
• Camping/Lawn type chair

Wilderness Safety and Survival – Level 1

• Fixed-blade knife (Good, Better, Best)
• Paracord
• Mylar Blanket
• Tarp
• Ferro Rod (Good, Better)
• Fast Fire
• Sawyer Mini Water purifier
• Bandana
• Whistle
• Any survival equipment you already own that you want to work and practice with, bring it.

Wilderness Safety and Survival – Level 2

The key to this course is we are going to weigh your pack.  It must weigh 25 pounds or less.  We are purposely not giving you a gear list for this course.  In this manner we are forcing you to think about what to pack. Have fun with that :).

Wilderness Safety and Survival - Level 3 (Knife Only)

• Knife
• Clothes for the environment and weather, just what you can wear.  

Land Navigation – Levels 1 and 2

These courses are done from a basecamp near your vehicle, so feel free to bring extra equipment for comfort.

• You will definitely need a pencil in this class not a pen.
• Reading glasses or your regular glasses if you use them.  
• Compass (Good, Better, Best)  The best compass listed here is a lensatic (military-style), we will be using baseplate compasses in class for instructional purposes as listed in the good or better listing.
• Download the Caltopo app (for Iphone or Android), no worries if you do not carry a cell phone, you will learn in this small portion of class as well.
• Non-metallic clipbard will be most helpful to you.  Clip can be made of metal just make sure board is plastic, fiberboard, or similar.
• Two-way radio.  If you are brand new to wilderness navigation it will assist you to stay in contact with the instructors.
• Seat cushion.  We do a fair amount of classroom work on picnic type benches.  A seat cushion will make it more comfortable.
• Please note the need for a notebook and pencils in the general requirements listed above.
• Gallon-sized re-sealable bag (ie Ziploc type bags) may be used if rainy weather during class.

Scout/Tracker and SERE – Level 1 and 2

• You will definitely need a pencil not pen for this class.  
• Any camouflage you want to try, this could include earth-toned clothing and on up to ghillie suits.  You will find out what works, and what does not, by the end of this class.
• Camo facepaint
• Tape Measure (required)
• Duty weapons (if your job requires you to carry weapons, please feel free to bring them to train with.  In this course we will barrel flag all weapons).
• Please note the need for a notebook and pencils in the general requirements listed above.
• Mouthpiece for SERE training (we will be grappling)

Nature Immersion and Mentoring

• Bring a good notebook of any type and both pencils and pens.  You will most likely do some sketching in the class and will want pencils
• Shoes that you don't mind getting wet.  We will be doing some creek and stream study and will be in the water overturning rocks, etc.  
• Any naturalist books that you might have already (Peterson, etc).  Do not buy any for the class unless specifically suggested to do so.  We will have several to use.
• A woods seat cushion or similar.  We will spend a lot of time in outdoor settings in the wilderness.  You will be more comfortable with a cushion.  If you are used to sitting in the woods without one, there will be no need

Bushcraft

• A good bushcraft knife (any of the LTWK are good ones).  If you want to "try before you buy" dont purchase and come to class.  I will have a couple of dozen knives for people to practice with. 
• A small hatchet.  We typically recommend Husqvarna because they are more affordable than Gransfors or Wetterlings.  Part of this class will be learning how to choose a good axe. 
• A good hand saw.  This could include something simple like a carpenter's saw.  Silky makes great saws, as does Bahco. 
• If you have a froe, bring it. 
• If you have wood chisels you would like to use, bring them.   In the interest of time, we will mostly rough cut our projects, but you may want to fine-tune some things while you are there.  
• Cordage.  Paracord or bankline is suitable for binding.  Jute twine is good for binding and firestarting.  
• Work gloves and safety glasses.   We will be making a lot of stuff in this class.  If you are new to working with hand tools, you definitely want some work gloves and safety glasses for flying debris.
• Bring your typical cooking equipment for outdoors.  We will do some bushcraft cooking but it will not require any cooking utensils. :)