Welcome to Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute!
Michigan's Premier Survival School and Best in the Midwest
CONTACT: (231) 292-6217, OR BY EMAIL:
[email protected]
Welcome to the Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute, L.L.C., Michigan’s premiere survival school and best in the Midwest!
Welcome to a place where the ordinary ends and the wild begins.
If you are checking out Arcturus, it’s because something in you is wired for more. More grit. More clarity. More connection to the land and to yourself. APSI isn’t a weekend getaway—it’s a wilderness-fueled, primal, skill-sharpening, mud-under-your-fingernails kind of experience.
You’ll start fires without matches, navigate forests without GPS, build shelter, purify water, and understand the plants beneath your feet like they were old friends. These are just a few of the skills that you will learn—skills that used to be common. Now, they’re legendary.
Led by Arthur Knapp—founder, tracker, hunter, forager, Wilderness First Responder, and the kind of instructor who doesn’t just teach survival… he lives it—you’ll be dropped into immersive, transformative training in the Michigan wilderness. It’s raw. It’s real. It’s unforgettable. So when the lights go out, the grid goes down, or you find yourself lost in the wilderness, you won’t care, because you’ll be ready.
Because survival is more than a skillset. It’s a mindset.
You ready?
Feel the call of the wild? Answer it at APSI. Join our growing family!
We offer a variety of courses to suit your needs: one-day courses, weekend courses, advanced classes, primitive fire courses, knot tying classes, foraging classes, and private sessions. Our comprehensive curriculum covers essential survival skills such as:
Primitive fire-starting techniques
Shelter building
Making water potable
Knot-tying
Edible and medicinal plant identification
Navigation
And many more valuable skills!
We take pride in being an independent organization, unaffiliated with other schools or big names in the bushcraft community. We aren’t part of the mainstream bushcraft scene. No corporate backing. No affiliate branding. We’re fiercely independent—and proud of it.
Ready to become legend? Check out our courses below and begin your journey with Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute today.
At APSI, we are dedicated to providing you with the best training and knowledge to help you thrive in the wilderness.
Some people teach survival. Arthur Knapp lives it. For him it’s more than a passion, it’s a way of life.
Over twenty years ago, long before “bushcraft” was trending and survival shows hit primetime, Arthur Knapp was out in the wild, doing the hard work—tracking, hunting, building fire from nothing, making medicine from plants, and mastering the skills that meant the difference between resilience and dependence.
He didn’t learn from books. He learned from the land. From cold nights under hand-built shelters. From miles of wilderness navigated without a compass. From teachers at survival schools across the country who helped refine what he already instinctively knew: how to thrive where others merely survive.
Today, Arthur—known simply as “Art” to those who train with him—is the founder and force behind Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute. A certified Wilderness First Responder, herbalist, experienced tracker, and seasoned outdoorsman, he brings real-world grit to every lesson. And at APSI, those lessons aren’t delivered from behind a podium—they’re experienced in the dirt, in the forest, in the wild.
Arcturus is more than a school. It’s the embodiment of Art’s lifelong mission: to awaken the survival instinct in others and pass on the skills our ancestors knew by heart.
This is your invitation to step off the grid, reconnect with the land, and join a community committed to mastering the art of survival. Not theory. Not gimmicks. Just raw, proven, essential skills taught by someone who’s lived it.
Secure your spot today and discover what you’re made of—under the guidance of one of the best in the field.
What we do
Class schedule 2025
Weekend Survival Basic 101
Dates:
- April: 25-27
- May: 23-25
- June 20-22
- July 25-27
- Sept: 12-14
- Oct. 3-5
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.
Important Notes:
No guns or drugs allowed.
Alcohol is discouraged.
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, or Venmo.
How to Sign Up:
Register for classes under the “Shop” 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: $250
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn new skills and make lasting memories. Secure your spot today!
Edible & Medicinal Plants
Dates:
- June 14
- July: 6
- August: 2
- September: 6
Join Us for an Engaging and Educational Outdoor Experience!
Dates Available Upon Request: The program starts at 10 AM and continues until dark.
What You’ll Learn: Dive into the fascinating world of edible and medicinal plants native to the Eastern Woodlands of North America. Our hands-on field sessions will guide you on how to identify, use, and even create bushcraft medicine from these plants. The specific plants we cover will depend on the season. For example, in July, you’ll learn about the unique uses of Ghost Pipe.
What to Bring: Be prepared with your tent or hammock, camp chair, bug spray, sunscreen, and any personal items you’ll need for a comfortable experience.
Important Notes:
No guns or drugs allowed.
Alcohol is discouraged.
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, or Venmo.
How to Sign Up:
Register for classes under the “Shop” 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: $65
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills in the great outdoors. Secure your spot today and embark on a journey of discovery and adventure!
Knots and Fire Class
Dates:
- May: 17
- June: 28
- July 5
- August: 3
- September: 7
Join Us for a Practical and Adventurous Day Outdoors!
Other November Dates Available Upon Request: The program runs from 10 AM until dark.
What You’ll Learn: Master a series of useful knots and primitive fire-starting techniques. This session is also a perfect opportunity to see if you’d like to join us for a survival weekend.
What to Bring: Be prepared with your tent or hammock, camp chair, bug spray, sunscreen, and any other personal items you’ll need.
Important Notes:
No guns or drugs allowed.
Alcohol is discouraged.
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, or Venmo.
How to Sign Up:
Register for classes under the “Shop” 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: $65
Don’t miss out on this hands-on learning experience. Secure your spot today and enhance your outdoor skills!
2026 Class Schedule is here!
April 3-5
May 29-31
June 12-14
July 10-12
August 14-16
September 18-20
October 9-11
November 6-8
New for 2025: Weekend Tent Rentals for Students:
For just $75, students can rent a complete camping setup for the weekend. This includes a tent, sleeping bag, ground mat or cot, 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 package includes a tent, sleeping arrangement, 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 2024, we launched a podcast called the APSI Campfire Chronicles – Late Night Chats. After numerous weekends of engaging sessions, I noticed a recurring theme: class attendees consistently engage in fascinating conversations around the campfire after class hours. These campfire chats have become one of my favorite aspects of our weekends, and they inspired me to create this late-night podcast.
If you join us for a weekend, regardless of your skill level, you can opt to participate in one of these late-night podcasts (or choose to opt out). We protect your identity and ensure your privacy. We record these late-night podcasts and post them online, without identifying who was at the camp or engaging in the podcast.
In addition to our engaging weekends and podcasts, 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 the Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute to You!
Are you interested in having the Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute come to your location? I’m willing to do just that! To host the training, you will need a large backyard with a legally usable fire ring. Each participant will be required to sign a liability waiver. I have received numerous requests to teach skills throughout Michigan and out-of-state.
Contact me at (231) 292-6217 (text is best) to discuss the details of bringing high-quality instruction to your group. To travel and teach at your location in Michigan, I require a minimum of three students. For out-of-state locations, please add one additional student per hundred miles. You choose the dates, and we will work something out. You can also request a private date and time not listed above.
I am confident that my expertise will benefit your group and enhance their knowledge of survival techniques. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you and help your group develop essential skills for outdoor survival.
Professional Disclaimer and Liability Waiver:
Disclaimer: Participation in courses offered by Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute (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 under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign the liability waiver on their behalf. Failure to sign the waiver will result in the participant being unable to attend the course.
We prioritize your safety and well-being while providing valuable survival skills training. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us prior to your course.
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
“Train as if your life depended on it, because someday it will.”