Welcome to Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute!
Michigan's Premier Survival School
I was featured in Outside Magazine, read the full article at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/trapped-in-a-blizzard-these-tips-could-save-your-life/ar-AA1TC2M1?ocid=socialshare&fbclid=IwY2xjawPLostleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFmcndSWEVqWlJZRFFsR0t3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHqynpAIvCG2UrmiRRurY4NuwCzQudc8Dn6YX3VcriSrQd6NPEx8R6SbyMywp_aem_qolNMinqiSy4wZ4AAMfWbQ
CONTACT: (231) 292-6217, OR BY EMAIL:
[email protected]
Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute is Michigan’s premier survival school and the Midwest’s trusted home for real‑world preparedness training.
If you’re searching for real survival courses, wilderness skills training, and no‑nonsense emergency preparedness, you’ve found the right place.
Where the modern world stops and primitive skills come alive.
APSI starts where excuses end. This is survival training built for the real‑world—hands‑on, dirt‑tested, and designed for anyone who wants to be genuinely prepared. You’ll train in the skills that matter when systems fail: natural shelter building, fire‑craft without matches, off‑grid navigation, water purification, plant identification, knot work, carving, trapping, practical survival gear use and so much more. Every lesson is built to sharpen one thing—your capability under stress.
APSI is led by founder and instructor Arthur Knapp—a survival instructor, tracker, forager, herbalist, and Wilderness First Responder with years of real field experience in Michigan’s backcountry. His background isn’t theoretical; it’s built on seasons of hunting, tracking, navigating, and living off the land long before “bushcraft” became a trend. Every course reflects that lived experience, delivering survival training rooted in real‑world conditions and the kind of emergency readiness that only comes from time spent in the woods.
APSI stands alone. No franchise, no borrowed curriculum—just training built from scratch and tested against Michigan’s forests, storms, and seasons. When daylight fades, the learning doesn’t. Campfire sessions turn lessons into instinct, and the people beside you become allies you’d trust when it matters. This is real survival and preparedness training, built to strengthen both your skills and your circle.
If you’re ready for something real—training that forges capability instead of pretending to—this is it. No gimmicks. No easy paths. Just survival training built on proven wilderness skills and real emergency readiness, designed to hold up when everything else fails.
Reserve your place and step into the kind of survival training that shows you what you’re truly capable of—right here at Michigan’s leading school for preparedness and wilderness skills.
Skills you’ll learn at APSI include:
Primitive fire‑starting (bow drill, hand drill, ferro rod, flint and steel) and modern fire building skills (matches, dead lighters, wet lighters, and more)
Shelter building (tarp shelters, debris shelters, lean‑tos, thermal protection, and more)
Water filtration, purification and sourcing
Navigation without GPS (sun, stars, terrain, natural indicators)
Navigation by map, compass, and ranger beads
Edible and medicinal plant identification and uses
Foraging fundamentals and wild food preparation
Knot tying and ropework (functional knots, lashings, bindings)
Carving, notching, and tool safety
Tripod construction and camp structures
Snaring, trapping, and basic primitive hunting concepts
Tracking and sign interpretation
Fieldcraft essentials (movement, observation, awareness)
Camp setup and fire management
Weather reading and environmental awareness
Basic herbalism and natural remedies
Gear selection, packing, and practical preparedness
Mindset training for stress, uncertainty, and decision‑making
Modern preparedness training
Grid-down training
- Private, goal‑specific instruction tailored to your needs
Introduction & Invitation to Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute
Class schedule 2026
Weekend Tent Rentals for Students:
For just $100, students can rent a complete camping setup for the weekend. This includes: a two-man tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, camp chair, Mora knife, fero rod, and a USB charging station for your cellphones, tablets, or other electronic devices. Our campsite is conveniently close to the main house, ensuring you have access to WiFi.
Special Offer for Previous 101 Course Students:
If you have previously taken our 101 course, you can join us for the weekend free of charge as a teaching assistant! We only ask that you help with teaching and assisting around the camp. This is a fantastic opportunity to refresh your skills and meet new people.
Non-Students Welcome:
Non-students can join the weekend fun for $150. This includes primitive camping spots, a fire ring to sit by, groomed trails to walk, private bathroom area and USB charging station.
JOIN THE GROWING ARCTURUS PRIMITIVE SKILLS INSTITUTE GROUP!
At APSI, we mean it when we say once you come out here, you become family.
In addition to our engaging weekends and one-day workshops, we offer a wide range of preparedness supplies and survival gear to help you stay ready for any situation.
Be sure to check out our survival blog and preparedness blog for tips, tricks, and expert advice on how to thrive in the great outdoors and beyond.
Join us and become part of a community that values knowledge, preparedness, and camaraderie. Secure your spot today!
Bring Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute to You!
Are you interested in having Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute come to your location? Invite Arcturus to your expos and outdoor events in 2026.
I am confident that my expertise will benefit you, your family, and your group and will enhance the participant’s knowledge of survival techniques. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you!
Professional Disclaimer and Liability Waiver:
Disclaimer: Participation in courses offered by Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute, LLC (APSI) involves outdoor activities that carry inherent risks. While APSI takes every precaution to ensure the safety of participants, it is essential to understand that survival skills training can be physically demanding and may expose participants to potentially hazardous conditions. Participants are responsible for their personal safety and must follow all instructions provided by APSI instructors. APSI is not liable for any injuries, accidents, or damages that may occur during the courses. When you come out here, make sure you have medical insurance before signing up.
Liability Waiver: All participants are required to sign a liability waiver before attending any APSI course. By signing the waiver, participants acknowledge and accept the risks associated with survival skills training and agree to release APSI, its instructors, and staff from any and all liability for injuries, accidents, or damages that may occur during the course. The waiver also includes a consent for emergency medical treatment in the event of an injury or illness.
Cancellation Policy: While we do not offer refunds, you can reschedule your class for a later date or even the following year at no additional cost if you need to cancel.
On rare occasions, we may have to cancel a class or weekend course due to inclement weather. While we don’t worry about passing rainstorms, we do cancel if heavy thunderstorms, high winds, possible tornadoes, or flash flooding are in the forecast. It’s never fun—but it’s absolutely necessary to keep our students safe.
If a cancellation occurs, we’ll notify you by text or email in advance. Your spot will remain reserved at no additional charge and will take priority over other students’ spots in the future. You will get your class!
Important Note: Participants must be at least 15 years old. Any participant under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign the liability waiver, and the participant must also sign it. If both signatures are not provided, the participant will not be permitted to attend the course.
We prioritize your safety and well-being while delivering high‑quality survival skills training. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us before your course date.
Thank you for considering this opportunity! I am excited about the possibility of working together and sharing my passion for survival with you, your family, or your group.
I’ll See You in the Wild! Art Knapp
Weekend Survival Basic 101
Dates:
- April 3-5
- May 29-31
- June 12-14
- July 10-12
- August 14-16
- September 18-20
- Oct. 23-25
- November 6-8
Join us for an unforgettable weekend adventure!
November Dates Available Upon Request: Our program starts on Friday at 3 PM and wraps up on Sunday at 12 PM.
What to Bring: Don’t forget your tent or hammock, camp chair, bug spray, sunscreen, and any other personal items you’ll need. I also recommend a cooler with drinks/snacks. If you have special dietary needs (gluten-free, vegan, etc) bring the food you require as well.
Important Notes:
No guns or drugs allowed.
Alcohol is discouraged.
- Try to keep the language clean; we are a family friendly camp and survival school.
What We Offer:
Choose the weekend that suits you best, and leave the rest to us.
We ensure you’ll be comfortable, safe, and well-fed throughout your stay.
Payment Options:
Pay by cash, check, card, Cash App, or Venmo.
How to Sign Up:
Register for classes under the “TRAINING” category on our website.
Cancellation Policy:
While we do not offer refunds, you can reschedule your class for a later date or even the following year at no additional cost if you need to cancel.
Cost: $275
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn new skills and make lasting memories. Secure your spot today!
Workshops: Foraging, Edible and Medicinal Plants, Knots and Fire
These workshops will be announced here on this site, on Facebook at Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute, and on Meetup.
Weekend Survival Intermediate 201
Contact me with your name and number. I am compiling a list of returning 101 students interested in the intermediate course. Once I have enough, I will offer a 201 date(s) in 2026.
Cost: $375
“Train as if your life depended on it, because someday it will.”