First time at the school. First impressions were wow this is a nice set up. Off the road and serene. The time flew by during our meet the teacher. I can't wait to see how my son learns and grows in this environment. read more

Earth Native Wilderness School - Entrance to property - Specialty Schools Near Me - Bastrop, Texas

See all

I registered for a recurring class months in advance, never received details or communication about it, my son missed it as a result, but rather than call me, they just kept billing me. Poor communication, and dare I say, greedy. read more

We had a TERRIBLE experience at summer camp. The first day my daughter did not come home with her change of clothes. I showed up the next morning early to look for her clothes and no one helped me try to look for her clothes. The instructor sat at the picnic table while I went on a "goose hunt" to try and find my daughter's clothes. It was later discovered that someone else had picked them up as they were left out in a disorganized pile of backpacks that seemed to be the norm for this program. I was not offered an apology for this mistake. The director followed up and didn't even let me get a word in. He talks so much he never lets anyone get a chance to get their voice heard. He explained that his staff was overwhelmed with the multiple accidents children had that day ( having an experienced staff) he raised his voice with me stating "what is your issue?" I had to keep my kids in the camp because we had not made arrangements for any other child care. Second, every time I picked up my children from camp I was told that they were not listening and that my youngest was putting leaves in her mouth. I noticed that I was the only parent that received this negative feedback. My children were consistently singled out. On the third day, I was told my daughter had picked up trash. She tied this piece of trash around her water bottle and carried it around all day. When I picked her up her hands were blue from the piece of trash she had touched all day! On the last day, I was asked to pick up my children early because my son was tired and couldn't keep up with the group. The instructor told me he was dehydrated after being at the camp for 1 hour, it was 10am. I find out that they were asking my oldest daughter the birthday's of all my children because they suspected that we were lying about the age of my youngest daughter. How absurd to believe my 5 year old would know the correct date of all her siblings! She confused my birthday with my youngest daughter's and then the director accused us of lying about her birthday. Then the director said that my son was not listening and that is why he was asked to leave. Which is not what I was told. I was told to pick him up because he was looking fatigued and tired, then when I arrived he was fine. My children have been to multiple camps and I have never experienced this type of intrusive, disrespectful, and down right discriminating attitude toward myself and my family. If you have children that need some occasional redirection this camp IS NOT FOR YOU. You will be called and asked to pick them up. Be forewarned! read more

I spent the weekend at the Wilderness Survival class. I frequently camp and hike and I've never learned so much in such a short period of time. We learned about time and resource management, animal behavior, plant identification, shelter building, solar and lunar navigation, water purification and fire making. The demonstrations were detailed and thorough and comprised both theory and practice. Although I wasn't able to get a friction fire going, I learned more from the failure than I would've from success. Later, when I approached my frustration with a sense of humor (which I learned from the introduction) I was able to get a ferro rod fire started regularly. Maybe I could use that skill in a non-survival situation too... read more

I took the Wilderness Survival 101 class this weekend. The class covered some of the key and fundamental elements of survival. This included fire making, hydration, navigation, foraging and knife skills. It was a class well worthwhile and I recommend it for anyone and everyone interested in understanding the wilderness and environment better. The class is appropriate for people of all ages. These skills are so fundamental to human evolution and reconnecting with nature. David and Brian were our instructors and did an amazing job over the two days. They were knowledgeable, patient, funny and overall great teachers. They combined lecture style and hands-on work to teach us the skills. Great class, great tutors and I'll be looking to take follow on and more advanced classes. read more

My son attends school here once a week. He loves it and is learning so much. The teachers are wonderful and the games and skills the children learn are so fun and valuable. It's a very unique school and I feel incredibly lucky that my son is a part of it. Communication with staff is excellent and we get a daily story from the teachers about the day. I've also attended several of the workshops that Earth Native offers: from basket weaving, to foraging, to acorn harvest and preparation. I've learned so much. The teachers are friendly and knowledgeable. The campus is beautiful and only a short drive from Austin. I appreciate how affordable the classes are. I can't wait to learn more. read more

Wilderness Survival 101 was a blast! I'd already connected with ENWS because of their awesome kids summer camps. It is the only program after which both of my kids came home excited to teach me what they had learned. I say "teach me" (versus tell me) because it was new information for me as well. Did you know that Daddy Long-legs aren't actually spiders? But back to Wilderness Survival 101 . . . While I enjoyed inciting looks of awe from friends when I told them that I had enrolled in a wilderness survival program, I was relieved to discover how accessible (and not-at-all-frightening) the hands-on content is. The instructors were knowledgeable, approachable, and full of good humor. Even though there was limited time to cover each section, they covered a lot, and by getting us involved with physical challenges, we were able to more fully comprehend the information and feel empowered to actually use it! I will definitely sign up for another class. read more

My son, who is 4 1/2, and my daughter, who is 6 1/2, did many camps this summer, but the Earth Native camp they did at McKinley Falls was by far their favorite. This really impressed me since my kids have very different personalities and preferences in how they like to spend their free time. They BOTH talked non-stop about how awesome their counselors were (something they didn't really do at any of the other camps), my son, who has endless amounts of energy, was worn out after each day (he actually took a nap--woo hoo!), and they not only had fun playing old school games like capture the flag (which made my heart so happy to watch), but they also learned a lot of legit real nature knowledge. One day after camp they showed me what makes a good shelter and tested their small little animal shelters we made in the backyard by pouring water on top to look for leaks...something they learned at camp. They also loved learning how to make body paint from rocks and dirt. Every day they came home dirty and happy, which is all in the world I could ask for from a camp. We didn't fight over the tv all week, they got plenty of nature, and I didn't worry one bit since I knew they were in such trustworthy, knowledgeable, fun hands. Best camp around Austin by far. Certainly worth the drive from central Austin for us. I even paid the park fee and hung around one day and played in the creek with my baby. Grateful Earth Native got me out there to do that. It is awesome to just have an opportunity to appreciate such a beautiful place. I left thinking, "How lucky are all these kids that they get to really explore and get to know this natural resource for an entire week?!" There is so much to see, you need that much time, really. We will be back next summer, if not before. Thanks Earth Native! read more

Love this place and the people who work here. They are super friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. My nieces have come to the kids classes for years and I was so excited to find out they have a whole program for adults as well. I learned so much in a one weekend course and look forward to learning so much more and attending many more classes at Earth Native Wilderness!! Thank you for all y'all do! read more

We sent our youngest two boys for a week at Earth Native this past summer. The boys utterly enjoyed every moment. The counsellors are highly intelligent and knowledgeable. The boys came home with a new and broader respect for being in nature as well as humanity. They now practice their "sit spot" meditations each day. The freedom and sovereignty Earth Native gives to each child is invaluable. We will definitely be sending the kids again. Just DO IT!!! read more

Earth Native Wilderness School - Specialty Schools Near Me - Bastrop, Texas

My 10 year old daughter prefers being indoors in front of a gadget. It has been a struggle to get her interested in other things. Some classmates recommended Earth Native camps and we signed up 2 years ago. My daughter attended Bushcraft Survival both years and has also participated in various one day camps. She loves these camps and I do as well. She learned about plant and animal identification, knife safety (she loves whittling) and had tons of outdoor fun overall. This was such a spectacular find...another Austin gem. read more

What a fantastic experience I had here! I took the Survival 101 course this past weekend and absolutely loved it! I have very little skills in outdoor survival techniques but frequently hike alone. I took this class in order to hopefully learn some things that could help me in the event I was ever trapped or stuck somewhere and could only count on myself till help came. While I hope I never HAVE to use the things I learned in this class in a survival situation, I do feel much more prepared should something happen. The class I took was a two day class and Dave packed those two days with a TON of great information. The class is part lecture and part skill based. We learned how to make bowdrill fire, build shelter, land navigation, cordage, water purification, fire building, edible plants (as well as which one to avoid... which is good since I always seem to end up in poison ivy!) and so much more. Dave and his assistant Jason were both super helpful with answering questions and helping during the hands on sections. I attended this class alone but really enjoyed meeting all the other folks that attended. Don't fear going if you are a female.... we had way more girls than boys in our class! I had a great time and am already looking at the other classes offered here to see which one I want to do next! So do yourself a favor and sign up for something. You will be glad you did! :) read more

I have done a lot of research on survival courses and this one luckily happened to be near where I lived. I just did the introductory adult course where we went over a ton of I formation and built a fire. I am excited to join them for a few more of their classes in the future. read more

This school is a great opportunity for kids and adults. Camps and courses are being added all the time. It is an amazing resource to have something so natural and educational located so close to our brick and mortar, paved over crowding community! My son has been attending the teen wilderness class monthly since the beginning of the school year. He has had expereinces and learned so much. He has learned things he has not learned in years of scouting, school and on our extended vacations in parks and more. Highly recommend it especially for our city slickers! read more

Amazing! I took the Wilderness Survival 101 and it was a comprehensive and informational first approach to survival skills. Dave and Brian are both super knowledgeable, as well as, patient and supportive throughout your learning process. I feel way more confident to go on more hiking adventures that are a bit more challenging for me. I will definitely continue to use Earth Native Wilderness as my resource for continued education in all things outdoors! I trust their knowledge, I trust their abilities and I trust their recommendations. I love that they are always continuing to learn. Not only through their own self-taught methods, but by learning from other students and finding more efficient methods for survival throughout that process. Because I know this team will continue to create and adjust their method of teaching in order to provide the best experience, the only thing I would suggest is a bit more of time management and balance between hands-on and lecture. I give this 5 stars because I know they are open to feedback and fine tuning all of the helpful feedback in order to present a more well-balanced workshop. I highly recommend this course for any age!!! read more

Earth Native has been a part of my daughter's life for over three years. She has harvested natural plants to make a campfire stew, carved a bow drill, learned tracking, shelter building, wound care and so much more. The instructors engage beautifully with the students and learning happens organically. My kiddo has a blast and comes away with a true sense of accomplishment. I love the connection that she has with nature and know that Earth Native will be an experience that she carries with her for a lifetime. read more

The instructors were super knowledgeable and had great stories and tips. They were very patient while helping during the practical application of techniques. I learned a lot! read more

Our 7 and 10 year old spent a week at camp from 9-3 and they had a blast! Every time I picked them up they were exhausted but had sooo much to share and best part they were wet and dirty which meant they had good old fashioned fun. I wish I would have done 2 weeks. Next summer we will be enrolling them again. The team they were with were great, my kids really enjoyed themselves. read more

Had such a great time at the wilderness 101 course. Very informative and teachers were very knowledgeable and entertaining. Also I made my first fire from friction which was a bucket list item for me. Thanks for the awesome weekend. read more

Our 9 year old son loved the overnight camp here, coming back with all kinds of stories, ideas, and skills to share with us. The counsellors are top-notch, really care for the kids, and provide a fun and safe and educational experience. We hope to enroll again. read more

I went with a group for the wilderness survival 101 course and this was the most informative and fun class I've taken in a long time. The instructors were all very experienced and knowledgeable about wilderness survival and taught us a plethora of information during our two day course. We camped on the property for $10 per tent and we had no issues. There were very clean bathrooms and showers nearby, which was an added convenience. I am definitely going to recommend this school to everyone I know and plan on exploring the idea of bringing my middle school students on a field trip. I'll definitely be back soon to take some of the other classes they offer. It really is a life changing experience. (the owner, Chris, even helped us change a car battery after the car we came in ended up dying) A+ customer service. read more

This is my kids favorite summer camp. They love to be out in nature and learn about bugs, nature tracking and edible plants. They come home tired and dirty and they love it. My boys are 4 & 6 years old and have gone to camp at Earth Native the past 2 summers. They will be there again next year! read more

My son did the sunny day camp at McKinney Falls State Park and he loved it! Lots of fun nature games... he always came home dirty, tired, and happy! read more

My 9 yr old loved this camp! He came home every day talking about all of the fun things that they did and learned. The staff was very friendly, knowledgeable and and organized. It really showed that they were enjoying things just as much as the kiddos. Will be back next year! read more

My wife found ENWS about 6 months ago and we've taken a number of the adult classes together and enjoyed them tremendously. We've taken bow making, arrow making, yucca baskets, land navigation and wilderness survival 101 and can recommend all of them highly. Classes are relaxed and fun, and the instructors are very knowledgeable. Adult class attendees vary widely in age from people in their 20s on up to 60+. ENWS staff are also very passionate about their programs for kids and we've certainly see a lot of happy kids while we've been there. If you have any interest in the topics offered definitely sign up, you will learn a lot and have a ton of fun. I'm looking forward to our next class at the end of the month! read more

My 10-year-old son attended the weeklong overnight summer camp and loved every minute of it. He can't wait to go back again. The camp is a great balance of structured learning and independent exploration. read more

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.) read more

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. read more

We did the weekend survival 101, and it was so fun!! We learned a lot! We definitely coming back for more training!

Wow, such a great experience. The instructors really know their stuff, they don't waste time on any BS, and the classes are very hands on. If you've always loved survival/outdoors or are wanting to get started you should definitely check it out! read more

We love Earth Native! Three years in a row that my daughter has voted this camp as her favorite of the summer. Highly recommended!!

Teen "Wilderness Survival" camp - Not what one would expect from a "wilderness survival" camp. Not challenging to experienced camper and very little time spent on actual outdoor skills. If your teen has no experience at camping, or simply wants to pitch a tent somewhere other than their backyard and learn a few basic outdoor skills along with a lot of emotional wellness exercises and getting-in-touch-with-nature exercises, this may be the right place. If your teen wants a challenge and really wants to learn wilderness survival techniques, keep looking for another camp. read more

Love this place and these people! My 7 yr old girl participated in an Earth Native summer camp this July and it was one of the most meaningful, fun camps she has done (out of about 8-10 we've tried the last 3 summers). Staff is attentive, space is beautiful, content is meaningful. and being out in nature--what could be better! We've had friends one-day-a-week classes with earth native and have always had amazing things. we look forward to trying out more of what they offer and highly recommend! read more

I can't say enough good things about the people at the Earth Native Wilderness School and their Teen Wilderness Survival camp. The atmosphere they create of friendship and camaraderie is remarkable, especially among a group of teenagers. They teach wonderful outdoor skills and respect for nature, and the kids leave confident, inspired, and more interested in being outside in the woods! We will be back next year! read more

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! read 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! read more

Our 6 year old son loved Earth Native and we are looking forward to doing camp again next summer! The staff members pleasant & easy to work with, and the whole experience was great. We heartily recommend Earth Native! read more

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. read more

My kids (ages 8 and 7) have been a part of Earth Native weekly program for the past two years and a half. I cannot say enough about this program. It is simply awesome! My kids have learned so much about nature, including building forts, shelter, fire, leather work, knife skills, making salves, and so much more. The best review is from my kids themselves when last summer I asked my kids whether they wanted to continue with the program and they both looked at me baffled that I would even ask such a question! :) The staff is amazing and my kids love them all. There is a great sense of community there which I love. The program directors Dave and Mikki are incredible as well. So much fun!! I feel my kids are safe and getting the BEST wilderness education available! The adult programs are super cool too. I've taken a basket weaving class with them and it was so much fun! I actually made a pretty awesome basket!! Best program!! read more