2-Year - Non-Residential Immersion Program

Non-Residential Immersion Program - 2-Year

If you can’t live off-grid full-time but still want world-class training, this two-year flexible track gives you access to all Maine Primitive’s on-campus courses. Learn directly from Michael Douglas and his team, with the ability to camp or commute—on your own terms.

Train deep. Stay rooted.

The Non-Residential Immersion Program is a flexible, two-year training path for those who want deep, nature-connected learning without the commitment of living off-grid. You’ll have access to all on-campus immersion courses offered through the year—learning alongside our instructors and residential students, but on your own terms.

Whether you're a teacher, guide, healer, parent, or lifelong learner, this path lets you gain practical survival skills, personal resilience, and community leadership training while staying connected to your everyday life. You can choose to camp on campus during your training days, but you won’t live in the Apprentice Village or participate in the full-time residential rhythms.

Instead, you'll integrate the skills into your own rhythms—bringing them home as part of a lifestyle of intention, awareness, and capability.

Flexible access to high-level skills, taught by the best in the field.

The Non-Residential Immersion Program is a two-year training track designed for those who want world-class instruction without full-time off-grid living. You’ll attend any course offered on-campus—Survival 1, 2, and 3; Foraging; Tracking; Earth Living; and more—either while commuting or camping nearby.

You’ll train directly with Michael Douglas or his top instructors, side-by-side with residential students during class time. And then, you’ll return home and apply what you’ve learned to your life, family, school, or work. You’ll stay connected, engaged, and empowered.

Course structure

Attend on-campus courses over 2 years.
Optional camping available during training blocks.
Learn during class time only—return to your own space afterward.
No participation in the Apprentice Village lifestyle.

Core topics you can attend…

Survival Series (Levels 1, 2, 3 – All Formats)

• Shelter, fire, water, food, and navigationLighting your first hand-drill fire

• Long-term survival strategies and community-based systems

• Seasonal skills and off-grid design

Foraging & Plant Literacy

• Edible, medicinal, and utility plants
  Harvest, preparation, preservation

• Apothecary and seasonal wildcrafting

Tracking & Bird Language

• Animal tracking and sign interpretation

• Bird language and field meteorology

• Awareness, camouflage, and movement

Earth Living & Primitive Technology

• Tool making, cordage, natural glue

• Shelter building and primitive construction

• Fire crafting and ember carrying

Water & Hygiene Systems

• Natural water collection and filtration
  Safe storage and purification

• Off-grid hygiene and wellness practices

Teaching & Mentoring Frameworks

• The Invisible School philosophy

• Coyote teaching, experiential design
  Facilitating growth in others

Personal Practice & Community Skills

• The Invisible School philosophy

• Coyote teaching, experiential design
  Facilitating growth in others

The difference

• Residential students live the experience 24/7—building a rhythm of earth-based living through full immersion.

• Non-residential students train deeply during course time, then integrate skills into their daily life at home.

Both paths lead toward self-reliance, confidence, community, and nature connection. Choose the one that meets you where you are—and stretches you toward who you want to become.