Residential Programme

IPNA's full-time residential course is a three month long intensive naturalist training programme. This course is offered once per year and is located on forested land near Caherciveen in Southwestern Ireland.

This programme gives hands on experiential training in wilderness survival, primitive skills, green building, animal tracking, permaculture, herbal lore, bird language and wilderness medicine.

During this course you will:
- Learn to see Nature through the eyes of a naturalist
- Follow your own passions in primitive skills
- Make your own long bow
- Enhance your nature awareness and your senses
- Learn about Permaculture
- Gain awareness through self defense training
- Learn the Art of Mentoring
- Discover new skills and passions
- Kamana naturalist training programme is part of the residential programme. Students are encouraged to complete Kamana 2 during the 3 month programme.

The Residential Programme consists of three courses each of them are two weeks in duration:

1. Bushcraft Experience this hands on programme will consist of multiple trips to remote sites around the Ring of Kerry. During these trips students will be given tasks and training that will enhance their experience with bushcraft skills. Students will experiment with camping in different environments and conditions while receiving classes from the instructors while in the field.
Topics will include: Animal Tracking, Nature Awareness, Advanced Shelters, Aidless Navigation, Primitive Weapons, Traping and Fishing, Long term Bushcraft.

2. Advanced Skills: During this programme students will make their own long bow, work on their traps and snares, learn how to felt Kerry wool, make primitive cordage, finger weaving, combat archery, primitive fishing, hunting and stalking exercises.
Additionally students will continue their training in Animal Tracking, Nature Awareness, and Long term Bushcraft.

3. Ranger Scout : will introduce skills that enhance personal awareness, understanding bird language, quiet movement, basic self defense techniques, meditations in nature, survival weapons, and advanced bushcraft skills.

Residential Programme student Bee teaching Knots

Each of these three courses run for 2 weeks (10 days) with weekends off. They can be taken individually or as a group of three which are collectively called the Residential Programme.

There will be a 2 week break in between each of the 2 week intensives. Students who enroll in all three courses have the option of staying on the land during the 2 week break between courses. During this time instructors will be available for a few days for questions, and workshop time.

This programme is based on the teachings of Jon Young and the eight shields mentoring model. The bushcraft survival skills are based on the teachings of Tom Brown, Jr and the Tracker School in New Jersey as well as the US Army SERE programme. In between class times, students have the option to stay on the land in primitive buildings made from sustainable materials, or tenting sites.

What you get with this programme:
-Seasoned instructors in primitive skills, who are passionate about what they are doing and who are living what they teach.
-Free attendance to any other IPNA course or workshop scheduled during the twelve week residential programme.
-Free boarding on the land in various primitive, off grid, sustainable structures or tenting sites. Food is not provided, but the use of a kitchen is available.
-The option to apply for the Apprenticeship Programme where you can return to help out with other Residential Programmes for free.

PREREQUISITES: Basic and Advanced Bushcraft.

COST:
One 2 week course: €750
Two 2 week courses: €1400
All three 2 week courses: €2000

Work Study options are available on the land. Part of the tuition may be taken off for this option.

WHEN:

Bushcraft Experience: NOT OFFERED IN 2011
Advanced Skills: NOT OFFERED IN 2011
Ranger Scout: NOT OFFERED IN 2011

Click here for the Course Schedule
Click here to register for Courses

This programme is about having a lot of fun out in the woods while learning things that you are passionate about. It is a chance to gain skills that will help you move towards a more sustainable lifestyle, give you confidence in your survival skills, and bring you closer to the Path of Nature.

Beach Tracking Hide Tanning