Earth Native Wilderness School

My 10 year old daughter attends their weekly program and we love it. My 16 year old daughter also attended one of their outdoor/​wilderness cooking classes and raved about it. It’s a great place for the kids (or adults!) to learn survival skills, information about wildlife, tracking, local edible plants (and what not to eat), making fire, how to explore nature, etc. The kids have a great time and really have an opportunity to enjoy nature and become more self-​reliant in a safe, caring, encouraging environment. I’ve been impressed with the teachers, and how they help the kids explore, think, and learn in engaging ways, and with great respect for the kids as people. Great programs! My daughter looks forward to it greatly every week.

My 7 year old boy attended this weekly program last year and loved it! He would come back with stories of what tracks he found, what plants he identified, was able to eat, how he learned about fire, knife skills and so much more. Our schedule changed this year and we were both very sad he could no longer attend. However, they offer a once a month youth program he was very excited to join to get back into learning about the wilderness. I was so impressed with their weekly program last year, that without hesitation I enrolled my 5 year old daughter in it this year. It’s her highlight of the week! She calls it her «hiking school» =)

My 10 yr old son is attending his second year of the weekly wilderness school and loves it. I love what it does for him: fosters a love of nature, brings him peace and lets him get dirty while getting exercise. We could not love this school more!

The folks at Earth Native are wonderful, and seem to find real joy in educating and nurturing the students. This has been an incredible experience for my 11 year old son — he comes home bursting with knowledge and excited about his experiences. As a home-​schooler, I couldn’t imagine a better nature/​science learning experience for my kiddo. He goes weekly, loves it, and can’t wait for the «special» programs like camping or Ninja Coyotes. Unlike some of the alternative education programs in town, these folks have their mission and administration in order — can’t recommend them highly ENOUGH!

Earth Native Wilderness School has been an amazing blessing for my son. He is crazy about the outdoors and unfortunately, his sisters are not able to take as much outdoors due to allergies and sensitivities. He has thoroughly enjoyed every minute with his instructors learning and doing so many great things. Some of his favorites have included starting fires and cooking over the open fire, building forts, and having mud fights in the creek. He has also learned knife skills and has started carving his own walking stick. I cannot say enough positive things about the organization. If you have kids who love the outdoors, this is the perfect outlet for them!

My 7-​year-​old son attended the weekly youth program for several months and we hope to join again when our schedule allows (especially since we have all the gear!). The teachers are respectful, knowledgeable and keep the kids safe & busy. Administration has their act together and at the same time can be understanding of how life goes. I highly recommend ENWS and sincerely hope to return to the weekly program in the next couple of years.

Whether you are interested in survival concepts, learning about local wildlife, or you are just interested in enriching your awareness or outdoor experience, Earth Native Wilderness School is your place. The owner David Scott is a very knowledgeable, down to earth instructor that has taught me a wealth of information over the years taking his courses. I highly recommend this school.

I have taken my 3-​year old daughter to the muddy shoes program and I have attended several of the adult programs. This is a great school with a very knowledgeable and experienced staff. My daughter loves it and asks almost every morning if she is going to «nature school» or «regular school.» Whether you’re wanting to give your children more outdoor experiences or gain wilderness knowledge and experience for yourself this is the place!

My son has been going weekly for 1.5 years. To say he *loves* it is an understatement! He gets all of his gear ready the night before with no reminder from me, has no issue with getting up early the day of, pretty much leaves me in the dust with barely any form of goodbye as soon as we pull up (He’s 11), thoroughly delights in trekking around for 6 hours outside in all kinds of weather, wears his brier scratches and chigger bites with pride, tells me stories of what happened on the ride home until he sometimes falls asleep because he’s so exhausted from all the fun, dutifully cleans out his gear when we walk in the door and then uses knowledge he’s gained from these days throughout the days, weeks, and months ahead. All of this makes the driving long distance to class worth it. (We’re in Far NW Austin, practically Cedar Park.)

My 4 year old and I have taken classes at Earth Native for the past year and couldn’t be happier. The instructors are knowledgable and supportive, the classes are interesting and hands on and the Earth Native property is beautiful. Originally recommended to me by a friend, I have since recommended it to my friends, and they’ve all loved their time here. I’ve taken or am currently taking Survival 101, the Tracking Intensive, Bird Language and Primitive Cooking. Every class has been excellent. My son has tried Picnics in the Park and Muddy Shoes. Due in no small part to the mentoring he’s received from Earth Native instructors Michelle and Nicole, spending time outdoors is now my son’s favorite activity.