OUR CADRE

Meet the Instructors

Seasoned practitioners with hands-on experience in survival, bushcraft, tracking, navigation, and self-reliance. Selected for their expertise, their teaching ability, and their commitment to empowering others.

10
INSTRUCTORS
100+
Years Combined
10K+
Students Taught
20+
Course Disciplines

At Nature Reliance School, our instructors aren't just teachers. They're seasoned practitioners with years of hands-on experience in survival, bushcraft, tracking, land navigation, plant systematics, and self-reliance skills.

Each team member is carefully selected for their expertise, teaching ability, and commitment to empowering others through outdoor education. Whether you're learning the fundamentals of fire craft or advanced tracking techniques, you'll be guided by professionals who live what they teach.

All of our instructors have completed both the intro and advanced levels most of our classes.. Their shared mission: to help you build confidence, self-reliance, and a deeper connection to nature.

"Praeceptor naturae, discipulus vitae."

"Teacher of nature, student of life."

Remaining a learner while teaching others.

WHY OUR CADRE STANDS OUT

Real-World Knowledge, Tested in the Field

Our instructor cadre includes individuals with backgrounds in military and law enforcement training, biology, plant and tree systematics, naturalist education, wilderness medicine, and tracking. Each instructor brings real-world knowledge to the classroom and the field, ensuring students receive practical, tested skills, not just theory.

  • Veterans, EMTs, RNs, Game Wardens, and SF-trained operators
  • Certified Master Naturalists with deep ecological knowledge
  • Wilderness First Aid, Stop the Bleed, and CPR certified across the team
  • Each instructor has completed every course they teach, twice over
DIRECTOR & LEAD INSTRUCTOR

Craig Caudill

FOUNDER · 8X AUTHOR

Craig Caudill is a distinguished leader in wilderness education, serving as Director and Lead Instructor of Nature Reliance School. A best-selling author of backcountry books and a certified Master Naturalist, Craig teaches survival, tracking, and navigation to corporate teams, government agencies, university students, and the general public.

His expertise has been featured on the Discovery Channel, History Channel, BBC, Fox News, CNN, and NewsNation. He has designed knives for LT Wright Handcrafted, Outlier, and Rivers Edge Cutlery. He teaches with the philosophy of "forever student", always seeking to learn more and teach more effectively.

40+
Years Teaching
8
Published Books
2.6M+
Social Followers
20+
Universities Taught
Read Craig's Full Profile
THE CADRE

The Rest of Our Team

Nine more instructors who've each spent years building the skills they pass on. Each profile lays out their certifications, courses, and what they bring to your training.

Since 2019

Patrick Allen

Wilderness Skills · Outdoor Cooking

Certified Kentucky Master Naturalist with deep ecological knowledge. Brings a patient, encouraging approach shaped by his experience as a Youth Development Specialist.
Master Naturalist WFA Certified Ham Tech Outdoor Cook
VIEW PROFILE
Since 2018

Davy Black

Tracking · Wildlife · Primitive Skills

Lifelong outdoorsman with a Master's in Biology and a strong scientific foundation. NRS Tracker patch holder with deep field knowledge and a passion for helping others understand and thrive in the natural world.
Master's in Biology NRS Tracker Wildlife Management SERE
VIEW PROFILE
Since 2017

Sam Buhlig

SURVIVAL · TRACKING · COMMUNICATIONS

Three decades of instructional experience including time at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Ham Radio Extra Class and 30-year martial arts instructor.
FLETC Alum Ham Extra Martial Arts Mantracking SERE
VIEW PROFILE
Since 2022

Eric Comley

PLANT STUDIES · YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

20+ years as a UK Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development. Master Naturalist instructor specializing in herbaceous plants, with Project WET, WILD, and Learning Tree certifications.
Master Naturalist Plant Systematics 4-H Educator Project WET/WILD
VIEW PROFILE
Since 2022

James Neyhouse

Survival · Tracking · Wildlife

Game Warden with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. M.Ed., EMT-certified, and a state-licensed Hunter Safety Instructor with deep field expertise.
Game Warden M.Ed. EMT Hunter Safety Master Naturalist
VIEW PROFILE
Since 2016

Clark Pelphrey

Wilderness Medicine · Survival Mindset

25+ years across rural and metropolitan EMS, law enforcement support, and nursing. Registered Nurse, NREMT-B, and ANCC board certified in psychiatric and mental health nursing.
RN NREMT-B Psych/Mental Health Mindset Specialist
VIEW PROFILE
Since 2018

Dave Robinson

Wilderness Skills · Tracking

Kentucky Master Naturalist with deep ecological knowledge. Avid tracker, slingshot enthusiast, and airgun aficionado who blends traditional and modern skills with patience and humor.
Master Naturalist WFA Certified Mantracking Primitive Skills
VIEW PROFILE
Since 2021

Clayton Woirol

Survival · Navigation · Disaster Prep

Kentucky Master Naturalist and Nationally Registered EMT. Holds the Personal Survival Solutions Singleton Operator Certificate, blending advanced fieldcraft with calm, student-centered teaching.
Master Naturalist NREMT PSS Singleton Disaster Prep
VIEW PROFILE
Since Founding

Jennifer Caudill

Edible Plants · Media · Photography

Force behind the NRS social media presence. Lead videographer, and photographer for NRS content creation with 30 years of plant study. Project WET, WILD, and Learning Tree Certified
B.S. Education Plant Specialist Lead Content Creation
VIEW PROFILE

Train With Us

Ready to Learn From the Cadre?

Browse the calendar, find a course that matches your level, and meet the instructors in person. Most classes are held in Central Kentucky.

View Class Calendar Explore Courses