Land Navigation, Orienteering, Wilderness Skills and Survival

Being able to operate independently in the outdoors requires confidence in your abilities, and that confidence comes from instruction, practical application and practice.  Adventure Alliance and The Terrain Association provides all these in the disciplines of cross-country navigation and wilderness survival.

Navigating cross-country with a map and compass combines art and science in a way that allows you to interact completely with your surroundings.  In fact, to be successful, you must interact with your surroundings, using a multitude of skills and techniques to get you from point A to B in the best way possible.  And when you know how to navigate, "best" can mean everything from fastest to most scenic-it's entirely up to you.

Just like navigation, a good working knowledge of the fundamentals of wilderness survival can help you on the weekend camping trip just as much as the life-or-death struggle.

If you enjoy being in the outdoors, compete in an outdoor sport, work in the outdoors, or would just like to try something that will exercise your mind as well as your body, Adventure Alliance and The Terrain Association offers a workshop that will fill your need.

Workshops are currently held in the Texas Hill Country, but can be adapted to any location in the country.  Each workshop is split into two modules.  The first module is in the classroom, and the second module is in the field.

A brief synopsis of each workshop is given below.

INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP:  This is designed with the novice navigator in mind.  It includes 1.5 hours of "classroom" instruction in an outdoor setting, where we discuss map and compass basics, and then 1.5 hours of field work as a group in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. 

INTERMEDIATE WORKSHOP: This is for those who have a basic understanding of how to use a map and compass, or else have completed the Introductory Class.  We will conduct a review of the basics, a more detailed look at route planning, and then move out onto the course in order to practice as small teams. 

ADVANCED WORKSHOP:  This is designed for the experienced navigator, and will include route planning exercises and techniques to use when you are disoriented, as well as an extended, timed, cross-country course. 

NIGHT WORKSHOP:  This will include a classroom discussion of eye characteristics and night movement techniques, as well as a day/night course in the Texas Hill Country.  A detailed understanding of map and compass techniques is required.

SURVIVAL AND FIELDCRAFT WORKSHOP:  This workshop is for anyone who wants to develop their skills for weekend camping, extended treks or unforeseen survival situations.  We will cover basic techniques, with practical application in selected subjects.  Class modules include Fundamentals/Planning, First Aid/Shelters, Food/Fire and Water.  Participants are required to navigate between module locations.