Ghillies 3 Day Immersion
​Awareness - Proficiency - Creativity
Blounts Creek, NC $450 April 25-27 2025
Did you know the word 'ghillie' originated in the Scottish highlands? Originally, these skilled outdoorsmen were employed to assist with stalking deer, hunting and fishing. They were the first to wear what we now call the 'ghillie suit' which was named for them.
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Spend three days in the woods with us, learning, practicing and, most importantly, playing. This is the stuff of childhood dreams- build hideouts, wear face paint, howl around a fire. And while you're having a blast, you'll ​​​​learn and practice skills to become a ghillie yourself.
The skills
This experience is an immersion, where the skills we practice will be used to make our camp more comfortable, our coffee hot and our food cooked. While we'll have fun mucking about in the woods, these skills could save your life one day.
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Some things you can expect to learn:
- knots and lashings
- shelter building
- the art of fire starting and tending
- sourcing clean water
- making cordage
- foraging (season dependent)
- tracking
- stealthcraft
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This immersion is student-focused. Our instructors are flexible and can cater the course to the interests and skill levels of students.
The fun
​​Play is the absolute best way to hone your skills. Did you know it takes around 300 repetitions to master a new skill in practice, but only about 25-30 in play?! This is why kids play constantly, and why wild baby animals learn what they need to survive through play.
We will be playing all sorts of games in the woods with our new skills. Expect some intense hide and seek, capture the flag and more. We will probably even invent some games while we're out there.
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Please bring your sense of wonder, humor and adventure. Face paint and functional costumes are encouraged!
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Gear You'll Need
We will send a detailed packing list via email when you register, but you can expect typical items you would bring on a camping trip, except the tent of course. We will also have a zoom call to answer any questions a month prior to the event.
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You'll need a bag or pack you can comfortably carry your gear in for up to half a mile through uneven terrain. Once we establish our base camp, having some kind of smaller day pack will be helpful.
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You'll build your own shelter to sleep in, and we will have tarps for rain protection, but you'll need to bring your own sleeping pad, bag and bug net.
We'll be living outdoors for three days, so it is best to dress in and bring layers that regulate your body temperature well (not cotton!) and rain gear.
This is an opportunity to test out your survival gear. Bring your favorite knife and anything you typically carry in your kit.
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Fun Stuff
As always, functional costumes are encouraged. What's a functional costume? Clothes and accessories you feel like a wild thing in, like a badass, and most importantly, the most yourself in. The functionality means that the fabric they're made of dries quickly, regulates your body temperature and the fit doesn't get in the way of moving efficiently through the woods.
