Outdoor Skills is a hands-on, confidence-building class where young people learn real mountain-ready skills through practice, responsibility, and time outside with an experienced young mentor.
This course is designed for young people who learn best by doing. Instead of sitting through explanations and hypotheticals, we’ll be outside building real competence in the kind of terrain our community actually uses. The class is led by 17-year-old Bryce Benson, who has a long history of teaching outdoor skills in the Sandia Mountains near Cedar Crest. Bryce brings a calm, capable presence and a practical teaching style that helps young people feel steady, supported, and genuinely more prepared each time they head into the mountains.
Bryce Benson
he/him
Volunteer Teacher – Thursday Outdoor Survival Skills Class
My name is Bryce Benson. I'm 17 and a high school senior. The things that bring me joy in life are reading, playing the guitar, and exploring the great outdoors. I will teach an outdoor survival skills class for ages 10 and up. This class will strive to make you feel comfortable and at home in the wilderness – teaching you skills such as foraging, navigation, tool-making, stalking and hunting, fire-making, shelter-building, and more! These skills come from generations of people living closely with the land, and I want to respectfully acknowledge the influence and example of many indigenous communities whose experience continues to inspire. This class will be a very hands-on experience, with lots of visual, guided teaching as well as opportunities for kids to learn their own lessons through gained experience and observation. The day-to-day structure of the classes will be determined primarily by my students' interests. I will always be open to the individual needs and comforts of all attending, especially when covering topics involving hunting, fire-making, etc. We'll discuss relevant moral considerations and respect for the purpose of these skills. I hope you'll consider trying out my class this fall, and I look forward to seeing you! Emily Wright-Magoon, Coordinator of Covey Learning Community, will be my assistant in this class.
We will practice navigation and trail sense, outdoor safety and decision-making, gear basics, staying warm and dry, and simple problem-solving as a team. Along the way, we hold a strong ethic of land respect and Leave No Trace, because the outdoors isn’t a backdrop, it is the teacher.
This class is a great fit for young people who love being outside, want practical skills, and grow through real responsibility. We’ll share meeting location details and a simple gear list ahead of time so families can show up prepared.