2025 Earth-Skills
in person Immersion Course

ten month program running March-December 2025

One, four-day class, per month (Thur-Sun) located at Earthaven Ecovillage

Blue Ridge Mountains, near Asheville, North Carolina (traditional territory of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee)

** Applications for 2025 ARE OPEN***

After you submit your application, we will contact you to set up an interview online.

course Overview

• Feeling deeply at home in wild landscapes.

• Embodying the skills and knowledge of your ancient ancestors.

• Remembering lost parts of yourself

• Rebuilding the ancient “village” we dream of

• Connecting and laughing with a local community of like-minded folks.

• Creating hand-crafted tools resourced directly from the natural world.

• Having 4 days a month to recharge, relax, and connect.

• Remembering yourself and your gifts and taking that home with you.

• Laughing around a fire, sharing stories, and feeling joy with people you trust.

• Think you don’t have enough “skills” to start learning.

• Feel like this is a luxury that you don’t deserve.

• Desire a deeper connection but you don’t know where to start.

• Think it’s “too late” for you to change your life

• Feel overwhelmed by the current state of the natural world.

• Are surrounded by people, but still feel alone.

It doesn’t have to be this way. There is support. Together, with the Earth, we can remember who we are and how we are meant to live.

• A comprehensive and holistic approach to holistic survival, healing, nature connection and community.

• 10 months, each with a 4 day intensive course = a total of 40 class days!

• At home practice and assignments to further your connection and lifestyle changes

• A community that can support and witness you & your process.

• Over 120 nutritious hyper-local meals served during class times.

• Tools to help you understand your trauma (adaptations) and how to help regulate your nervous system

Primitive Tool-Kit

Each student will have an opportunity to make many hand-made skills from our local landscape. Which could include:

• A tanned deer hide

• Local plant medicine

• Woven Willow basket 

• Stone tools (arrowheads, scrapers, etc)

• Hand carved spoon

• Local edible and medicinal plant knowledge

• Friction Fire sets made from landscape

• Bone needles and awls 

• Small Buckskin project

• Tree pitches and glues

Emotional TOOL-KIT

In addition to each students, primitive tool kit, each student will end their year with a more complete emotional tool kit, to help them cope with the struggles of our modern day life as well as show up more fully in their own lives.

• A more clear map of the relationship between, trauma, our bodies, our nervous system and healing

• A compassionate understanding of our personal survival patterns

• Techniques in how to disrupt our own unconscious patterns

• A community of like-minded folks to lean on and feel connected to during hard times

• A biodynamic, body movement practice to help you move and shift your internal energy

• A feeling of connection and belonging to the landscape

• Excitement, inspiration and a feeling of being alive and grounded in your body

• Routines and practices that help us stay grounded and connected to the present moment

• Gratitude rituals

• Three different breathing techniques

• Meditation Practice

• Plant, animal, and other allies to help you ground yourself into safety

  Each piece will be held in ceremony and created with intention for the personalized and unique growth of the student.

2025 class Schedule

Luke McLaughlin

Lead Instructor and founder of HoSS

Luke is a naturalist, rewilder and founder of Holistic Survival School (HoSS). Luke has committed his life to mastering and teaching ancestral living skills in order to help people find their balance, health and connection to the Natural World. During his time guiding in wilderness therapy, Luke witnessed how nature connection, community, and trauma informed therapy, helps bring about growth, health, and vitality to everyone’s life.

Luke combines humor, knowledge, and patience to create an easy-going, yet informative experience. With love and compassion Luke meets students where they are at. Additionally, with his training in Holistic Counseling, inner tracking, and egoic personality patterns, Luke loves guiding his students toward greater awareness, compassion and acceptance of themselves and of this world.

Luke is most known for his epic wilderness excursions for the shows “Naked and Afraid” “Naked and Afraid XL” and “Naked and Afraid: Alone”

During his time living off the land, Luke lived the skills and philosophy he teaches. For over 80 days, Luke implemented his philosophies and learned to live in harmony with unfamiliar landscapes. During his time in Namibia, Colombia, and South Africa, he remembered universal truths of living that modern culture has long forgotten. One of his greatest joys is sharing those stories and experiences with people in order to inspire a life rooted in the Earth and the cycles of life.

MIchael Ismerio

Lead Instructor

Michael Ismerio's passion is studying how culture is transferred from one generation to another. In 2008 he attended a program called the Art of Mentoring which catapulted him into the growing Deep Nature Connection movement and focused his work to guiding others on their journey to awareness, authenticity, and connection.  Over the past decade he has dedicated much time and energy into Vermont Art of Mentoring as well as working locally with Forest Floor Wilderness Programs running both youth and adult programs.  In 2017 he co-launched Wild Leaders Immersion, a nine month adult journey into Nature, Culture, and leadership.  Along the way Michael has also taken deep dives into shoemaking, leatherworking, wood working, bird language, and Southern Appalachian traditional music.

Michael's website-   http://michaelismerio.com/

Hidden Valley - Earthaven Ecovillage

Lead Instructor

Within the boundaries of Earthaven Ecovillage, there is a special forest that we love, protect, tend and care for: Hidden valley. Hidden Valley is our base camp for most deep remembering classes. Besides being our home-base for our program, it is also home to hundreds of beings such as salamanders, wild ramps, tulip poplars, red-eyed vireos, screech owls, coyotes, bobcats, black bear, toads, tree frogs, katydids, sourwoods, hemlocks, chanterelle mushrooms, bloodroot, photoluminescent mycorrhizal fungi, moss, ferns and thousands of other beings.

At the heart of our teachings is the belief that this ecosystem and forest is animate, that is, alive and conscious. So many of our healing moments in deep remembering happen because of this beautiful place. We honor this land, and all of the beings in it, and we recognize hidden valley as our greatest teacher.

Becky Beyer

Guest Instructor - Blood and Spicebush

I'm Rebecca Beyer, the woman behind the Blood and Spicebush School of Old Craft and one of the women behind the Sassafras School of Appalachian Plantcraft. I live in the mountains of Western North Carolina where I manage a homestead and teach people how to forage wild plants and mushrooms with No Taste Like Home. If I knew as a child that I'd grow up to be a professional forager-witch, I wouldn't have believed it. 

I have a B.S. in Plant and Soil Science from the University of Vermont where I fell in love with growing food. I completed a Masters in Appalachian Studies and Sustainability, concentrating in Appalachian Ethnobotany at Appalachian State University in May 2018. I am also a member of the Association of Foragers. Here is my Curriculum Vitae if you'd like to hire me for a lecture or University presentation. Despite my rough and tumble exterior, I love presenting in an academic setting.

I practice, research and write about Appalachian Folk Magic, Traditional Witchcraft, Primitive Skills, Homesteading, Foraging, Appalachian Ethnobotany and Folk Ways. Together, I call these things Hedgecraft. I've learned many of these things from the amazing teachers at the Earth Skills Rendezvous, my apprenticeship at Wild Abundance in 2011, my friends and mentors in our amazing community in WNC, and my serious collection of books. Listen and learn. There's no time to waste. 

I spend my days trying to learn what my ancestors did and finding ways to share traditional skills while tackling cultural appropriation through practicing and teaching those things which my ancestors would have done as a European ancestored person. I used to say I was born into the wrong time, but hell, I was born exactly when I should have been. If you love Appalachia, traditional ways, wild foods or witchery, welcome home.

• Want to make a major shift in your life to feel deep belonging to the Earth.

• Are an outdoor enthusiast who wants to feel safer and more competent in the wild.

• Want to practice emotional, physical and psychological resilience to adapting to this changing climate and world

• Are a primitive skills hobbyists who want to take their skills to the next level.

• Want to face your unconscious shadow self

• Are parent/caretaker who wishes to raise your children in a life connected to the natural rhythms of the Earth.

• Are a seeker who senses the Earth is the greatest temple and teacher.

• Want to fall in love with being human.

• Crave bringing the spirit of a “paleo-like diet” to all aspects of your life.

• Want to see a world more rooted in the Earth, and believe it’s possible.

APPLICATIONs

Applications for 2025 will open October 1st, 2024

Applications will be accepted from October 1st, 2024 - March 15th, 2025.

We want to keep this intensive, intimate & connected, so only 18 students maximum will be accepted. Please fill out the application below by answering the questions fully. The more you share with us the more we can understand where you are coming from. Tuition and payment plan options are listed below.

You will be contacted with next steps after we receive your application.

Don’t miss the FAQs, pricing and additional info below.

FAQ’s

“Do I need to move to North Carolina to participate?”

No! The immersion program is once a month for an extended weekend (Thursday - Sunday) so you can travel to North Carolina each month. We have had students from Georgia, Oklahoma and Florida!

“Are students “roughing it” for every class?”

Generally, no. Although this is a “survival school” the most learning can occur when our basic needs are met. Therefore, we as a staff team make sure that students are warm, dry well-fed and happy so that we can get the most out of our time together. However, later in the year we will also create some class time that is more challenging and more difficult based on your skill set and desire.

“Do I need to have previous experience in outdoor skills?”

No! You don’t need to have any outdoor experience. We welcome folks at all stages of learning! We create our programing to be beginner friendly for those who need it and also find ways to push those who are wanting to be pushed. Generally, the program starts off more comfortable and easy and progressively there come more chances for “edge-pushing”.

“What kind of skills are we learning?”

While we do teach physical survival skills (i.e. knife skills, shelter, knots) we are more so teaching “holistic survival”, which includes skills that will help you survive our modern-day existence as well as a wilderness survival experience (i.e. nervous system regulation, meaning and purpose, awareness skills, community building, )

“Can I camp on the land during classes?”

Yes! During class days all students are required to camp all 4 days to really sink into the experience. We have primitive campsites & amenities. Students are required to bring their own tent and camping gear. Additional rain shelters are provided in case of inclement weather.

“Do I need to hunt and kill animals in the program?”

No. While hunting, animal processing, and death are big aspects of this program no one is ever required to do anything. As we say, “This is a choose-your-own-adventure program”. Everyone is allowed to pick their own “edges” and participate in their own way. We have had many different participants, from carnivores to vegans! Everyone is welcome.

“Are payment plans available?”

Yes! See below for payment plan options. Credit Cards are also accepted. HoSS never wants money to be the reason for not learning. Scholarships are available for indigenous people and people of color.

“Can I bring my dog?”

No. As much as we love our canine friends, as teachers and as students, we want everyone to be focused and able to make the most out of our time together.

“Are work-trades available?”

No. We would much prefer to focus on bringing you the best content possible and forming deep connections with you as opposed to telling you how to work for us.

“How much does this program cost?”

Around $6,000, depending on when on how you pay. All tuition and payment plan options are listed below.

 Who is this not for?

• Someone who is not wanting to push their edges and comfort zones.

• Someone who is not wanting a big change in their life.

• Someone who is not wanting to get their hands dirty.

• Someone who wants to do life alone.

• Someone who is rigid and cannot see and accept other’s points of view.

• Someone who doesn’t want to share vulnerably.

TUition and payments

Credit Cards & PayPal are accepted

Total Tuition for the year is $7,000

However, there are opportunities to reduce tuition cost for the year depending on HOW and WHEN you pay. See details below.

Please note: If you are feeling deeply called to this work, and money is the only limiting factor, please reach out and we can begin a conversation. Email HolisticSurvivalSchool@gmail.com

Tier I payment (September 1st - November 30th, 2024)

$5,750 - One time payment 

$6,250 - Payment plan (deposit required, see details below) 

$6,750 - Extended Payment Plan (deposit required, see details below)

Tier II payment plan (between Dec. 1st, 2024 - March 15th, 2025)

$6,000 - One time payment

$6,500 - Payment Plan (deposit required, see details below)

$7,000 - Extended Payment Plan (deposit required, see details below)

APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER MARCH 15th 2025.

Payment plan dates:

March program date, 2025 - (1/4 tuition due)

April program date, 2025 - (1/4 tuition due)

 May program date, 2025 - (1/4 tuition due)

June program date, 2025 - (1/4 tuition due)

Extended Payment plan dates:

March program date, 2025 - (1/4 tuition due)

May program date, 2025 - (1/4 tuition due)

 July program date, 2025 - (1/4 tuition due)

September program date, 2025 - (1/4 tuition due)

This program is limited to 18 participants. All applicants must fill out an application. After the application has been filed, potential students will contacted to set up interviews. If the student is accepted into the program they will be required to put down at least a $1,000, non-refundable deposit to save their spot in the program. The deposit will be counted toward your overall tuition.

PLEASE NOTE: Because this is a “closed container” (i.e. no more students can be added after March) all students will be expected to pay their full tuition amount regardless of how much of the program they attend.

We never want money to stop people from learning. If you are limited in funds and feel truly called to this work, please send Luke a message and we can start a conversation.

Additionally, scholarships are available and will be reserved for people in more under-served communities (Black, Indigenous, people of color, single mothers, trans folks etc.) who normally wouldn’t have access to programs like Deep Remembering. Donate to help make these skills more accessible to all.

APPLICATION

   We want to keep this intensive intimate & connected, only 18 students will be accepted.

Applications for the 2025 program year, will open on October 1st, 2024

We will contact you for an interview after receiving your application.

Still not sure?

Contact Luke and schedule a 1 on 1 chat about whether or not this program is right for you in this phase of your life.

Email: HolisticSurvivalSchool@gmail.com

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