Why Choose Pioneer Survival Company for Wilderness Survival Training in Ohio?

When people search for a survival class, they are usually looking for more than a weekend outside. They are looking for confidence. They want to know what to do when the weather turns bad, when the trail disappears, when gear fails, or when help is not close by. That is exactly why Pioneer Survival Company exists.

Pioneer Survival Company is a Central Ohio wilderness skills, woodcraft, survival, and outdoor safety school created to help everyday people become more capable, prepared, and self-reliant. Our goal is simple: teach practical outdoor skills in a hands-on way so students leave with real knowledge they can use.

Whether you are new to the outdoors, preparing for emergencies, building confidence for hiking and camping, leading a group, or wanting to learn practical survival skills, Pioneer Survival Company offers hands-on training designed for real people and real-world situations.

Built by brothers with a lifelong passion for the outdoors

Pioneer Survival Company was founded in August of 2016 by brothers Shawn and Eric Seitz. Long before the company existed, Shawn and Eric were building their outdoor foundation through the Boy Scouts of America. Shawn became an Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow member, while Eric also advanced through scouting before continuing his outdoor education through other training opportunities.

That early foundation led them to continue learning through seminars, survival schools, and outdoor education programs. Their training path eventually included Dave Canterbury’s Pathfinder School, Campcraft Outdoors, and Bethlehem Outdoor College, where they studied Wilderness Skills and Leadership under Dr. Jason Hunt.

Today, Shawn and Eric continue to share those skills through Pioneer Survival Company classes, custom training, outdoor education programs, and online content. Their mission is to make survival training practical, approachable, and useful for students of all experience levels.

Hands-on training, not just classroom talk

One of the biggest reasons students choose Pioneer Survival Company is because the classes are built around doing. Survival skills cannot be mastered by watching a slideshow. Students need to build shelters, start fires, navigate, collect water, think through problems, and practice under real outdoor conditions.

The Wilderness Survival and Safety course is a weekend event that simulates a 72-hour emergency situation. Students learn important outdoor skills such as kit construction, tool safety, fire education, essential first aid, water collection, food procurement, plant identification, foraging, navigation, and shelter construction. The class combines instruction with hands-on field application, including hiking with gear and completing survival skill trials.

Pioneer Survival Company also offers Urban and 72-Hour Survival training. This course focuses on practical emergency preparedness skills for modern environments, including bug-out-bag construction, escape techniques, basic self-defense, fire education, first aid, water collection, food procurement, scavenging, and quick shelter construction.

Together, these courses help students understand that preparedness is not limited to one environment. Emergencies can happen in the woods, on the road, at home, while traveling, or during everyday life. Pioneer Survival Company teaches skills that help students think clearly, adapt, and respond when things do not go as planned.

Pioneer Survival Company is also expanding into online classes. These classes will include "The Ultimate Introduction Course to Hiking & Backpacking" and "The Ultimate Introduction Course to Food Preservation". As HSI Instructors, they will also be adding online CPR/AED, First Aid, and BLS certification courses soon.

Practical skills for real people

Not every student comes to class with the same background. Some are experienced hikers. Some are parents. Some are scout leaders. Some are preppers. Some are complete beginners who simply want to feel safer outdoors.

That is why Pioneer Survival Company offers more than one-size-fits-all training. In addition to scheduled survival classes, the company offers custom wilderness survival training and outdoor guide services. These can include backpacking, soap making, urban survival, navigation, homesteading, and other outdoor topics.

Pioneer Survival Company also works with schools, scout groups, churches, private groups, community organizations, and individuals looking for personalized outdoor education.

The goal is not to turn every student into a television survival expert. The goal is to help students become more capable, more confident, and more prepared.

Students notice the difference

Pioneer Survival Company has earned strong feedback from students on both Google and Facebook. Students consistently mention the instructors’ knowledge, patience, passion, and ability to make survival skills easier to understand.

One student who completed the Urban and 72-Hour Survival course described it as a “fantastic experience,” saying the instructors provided valuable insights, excellent instruction, and personalized the training to meet his needs.

Another Google reviewer described Pioneer Survival Company as “a group of two brothers who are passionate about what they teach,” adding that Shawn and Eric “live, eat, and breathe every aspect of survivalism.” He also made it clear that this is not a watered-down survival school, calling the instructors “the real deal.”

A third Google reviewer praised the amount of knowledge the instructors have and their willingness to share it, saying he would always recommend Pioneer Survival Company.

Facebook reviewers have shared similar experiences. One reviewer said Pioneer Survival Company is “truly amazing” and said the course helped kickstart his outdoor journey. He described Shawn and Eric as dedicated, patient, and passionate instructors who take the time to teach, share useful tips, and make everything easy to understand.

Another Facebook reviewer, Jason Hunt, wrote that Shawn and Eric are great instructors with “a genuine passion for teaching others.” A separate reviewer said he learned “a ton about survival” and that the class was “a lot of fun.”

That kind of feedback matters because survival training is personal. Students are trusting instructors to teach skills that may one day matter in a real emergency. Knowledge, experience, communication, patience, and instructor attitude all make a difference.

A strong value compared to many survival training options

Survival training prices can vary widely depending on the school, location, course length, instructor background, and what is included. Many regional and national survival courses cost significantly more, with some multi-day programs commonly priced in the several-hundred-dollar range.

Pioneer Survival Company’s Wilderness Survival and Safety course and Urban and 72-Hour Survival course are currently listed at $250 each. For students looking for an in-person, hands-on weekend training experience, that makes Pioneer Survival Company a strong value compared to many other survival training options.

Students get practical instruction, hands-on outdoor training, experienced instructors, and a realistic approach to survival education without the higher price tag often found at larger survival schools.

More than a class — an outdoor education community

Pioneer Survival Company is not only active through in-person classes. The company also shares outdoor education through its website, Trading Post blog, YouTube channel, Facebook page, and Instagram account.

Through these platforms, students can see class highlights, outdoor skills, gear reviews, trip videos, bushcraft demonstrations, and educational content before ever signing up for a class. That helps students get a better feel for the company’s teaching style, values, and personality.

Choosing a survival school is about trust. Students should be able to see what a company teaches, how instructors communicate, what kind of experience they offer, and whether the training feels practical and approachable.

Why students choose Pioneer Survival Company

Students choose Pioneer Survival Company because the training is hands-on, practical, and grounded in real outdoor experience. They choose it because Shawn and Eric bring years of training, teaching, and outdoor passion into every class. They choose it because the courses focus on useful skills: fire, shelter, water, navigation, first aid, preparedness, teamwork, and problem solving.

They also choose it because Pioneer Survival Company keeps survival education approachable. You do not need to be an expert before you show up. You need a willingness to learn, a good attitude, and the determination to push yourself.

Whether you are preparing for hiking and camping, building emergency readiness skills, leading a group, training your family, or simply wanting to become more confident outdoors, Pioneer Survival Company offers a practical path forward.

Frequently asked questions about Pioneer Survival Company

What is Pioneer Survival Company?

Pioneer Survival Company is a Central Ohio wilderness skills, woodcraft, survival, and outdoor safety school. The company teaches hands-on survival, preparedness, navigation, outdoor safety, and custom wilderness training courses.

Who teaches Pioneer Survival Company classes?

Pioneer Survival Company was founded by brothers Shawn and Eric Seitz. Their outdoor background includes scouting, wilderness skills training, survival education, firearms training, HSI Instructor certification, and years of hands-on outdoor experience.

What survival classes does Pioneer Survival Company offer?

Pioneer Survival Company offers courses such as Wilderness Survival and Safety, Urban and 72-Hour Survival, custom wilderness survival training, outdoor guide services, and other outdoor education programs. Online courses for food preservation and hiking, and backpacking. Online, HSI accredited CPR/AED, First Aid, and BLS are coming soon.

Is Pioneer Survival Company good for beginners?

Yes. Pioneer Survival Company classes are designed to be approachable for students with different experience levels. Beginners, hikers, campers, scout leaders, families, and preparedness-minded students can all benefit from the training.

How much does survival training cost?

Survival training prices vary depending on the school and course length. Pioneer Survival Company’s Wilderness Survival and Safety course and Urban and 72-Hour Survival course are currently listed at $250 each, making them a strong value for hands-on, in-person survival training.

Why should students choose Pioneer Survival Company?

Students choose Pioneer Survival Company because the classes are hands-on, practical, and taught by instructors who are passionate about outdoor education. Reviews from students mention knowledgeable instructors, patient teaching, useful skills, and a fun learning environment.

Train with Pioneer Survival Company

The outdoors can be beautiful, peaceful, and rewarding. It can also become dangerous quickly when the unexpected happens. The best time to learn survival skills is before you need them.

Pioneer Survival Company helps students build the knowledge, confidence, and self-reliance needed to handle outdoor challenges safely and effectively.

Explore upcoming classes, custom training, online learning, and outdoor education resources at:

PioneerSurvivalCompany.com