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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT US AND OUR COURSES:

Marty

It was good to see again last weekend in Wells and to enjoy your very informative seminar on Wilderness Survival. It had been many years since I last saw you do this and I now know why it is one of the most highly praised seminars mentioned on our returned survey forms given out to our attendees. You are both practical and enthusiastic with the information you share. Because you are so knowledgeable on the subject, you command respect. I for one appreciated the opportunity to sit in again. Who knows; one day my life may depend on some of the things you’ve taught me.  Rick Brooks, Schroon Lake, NY

Marty, Aggie, Bobby & Kevin, Thank you so much for everything. I really was quite hesitant about taking a course from a bunch of strangers with only the internet references to guide me. Your course was a life altering experience for me. Even though I live here in London, England and do not get out to the bush as much as I would like to I will definitely be more confident and courageous in my future adventures. I am planning a trip to the highlands soon and I know I will have a great,safe time thanks to all of you.                                                                                                                                                                                             Hattie McDougall                                                                                                        

Sorry I took so long to get back to you. I want to thank you for the most fun I have ever had that was legal. Your course was unbelievable. I never knew you could put so much into one week. I have practiced many of the skills I learned since I am home and I am now teaching my 6th grade students some of the techniques I learned. They want me to arrange a course for them. I hope all is well up there in the North Country and I will be sending an application soon for the advanced course. Again, thank you and see you soon.           Bev Hatterly, NY, NY

 This trip to my friend Marty Simons’ survival school from August 21st to August 27th 2006 was a great time. It was so relaxing and educational all in one week. Marty Simon and his new instructor George Hedgepeth put on an excellent course. I have been studying edible plants for several years now. I attend edible plant walks, take walks with my kids, read online about plants, attend survival schools and carry my Peterson Field Guide to edible wild plants with me often. Just the night before I began writing this down, I took my daughter to her horseback riding lesson and spent some time in and around the parking area of the farm and reinforced my plant knowledge. I also have a few other edible and medicinal plant books, but the Petersons is my favorite. This week long course helped me greatly increase my knowledge and retention of edible plants. For one thing, concentrating on plants for week is a good way to learn. Also Marty and George took us to several different locations and many that required us to drive. That was a help because it broke up the learning and gave us a breather. Also seeing the same plant in several different settings and quizzing us often helped to reinforce it. One of my big ways to learn plants is by tasting and feeling them. We did quite a bit of this. The best thing is that you can easily tell in a short time that both Marty and George don't just study this stuff, they live it. These guys really know their stuff and it’s obvious that they enjoy passing knowledge on to others. The bottom line is that I highly recommend this school, not even for those that are into survival and preparedness, but for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. It was just a great, relaxing way to spend the week with some interesting and fun people                    Tom Sciacca, Campingsurvival.com

                                                                                                                      

  I cannot thank you enough for the great learning experience I had at your school. Being raised in the country, I thought that I knew a lot about the outdoors. How wrong I was. With what you taught, I now walk in the forest with more confidence that ever.  Now I always carry a survival kit with me.
Skip Hammond, Windsor, CT.

"In the nearly 19 years of our association, I have never met an outdoorsman with the wilderness knowledge and acumen such as Marty Simon. His understanding of wilderness survival in all seasons and geographic regions, coupled with his deep understanding of plant and  wildlife is unmatched. Personally I have been deeply honored to have been mentored and taught by Mr. Simon and  I greatly encourage anyone who is looking to gain a real appreciation of wilderness survival to look to The Wilderness Learning Center."
KEN REID   President   REID Companies   Toronto, Canada

 Marty & Aggie

            “After taking five different survival programs at another school in the east, I finally got it right. Your program is right on the money. It is everything anyone could ask for in a survival program. I loved every minute of it and I know some of the guys laughed when I started to cry when we were saying our goodbyes but I really didn’t want to go back to the city. See you next year for the advanced.

Peggy Dietz,  Paterson, N.J.

            “I just wanted to thank you for the best week of my life. I had the greatest time I could ever imagine. I can’t believe how much info you guys can put out in one week. I can’t stop talking about your program. I’ll be back next year to take the basic course over (no one could possibly remember all that info) and I’m bringing my girlfriend and my brother. Again Thanks.

Larry Gambino, Hartford, Conn

 Marty,

          “I just wanted to take a minute to let you know how much I enjoyed “Nature Walk.”  I have watched it several times and will watch it many more.  It is far superior to a book when it comes to plant identification.  The number of plants you cover makes the video well worth the price.  Incredible.  I’m glad somebody finally had the knowledge and the guts to delve into this critical area of survival.  Why not grab something to eat while you look for water and build your shelter?  You are clear in expressing your precautions and admonitions.  One other feature of the video I really like is giving the viewer a camera shot of the plant before you identify it.  It gives me time to try to ID the plant.  This method enhances the video’s value as a teaching tool.  Sometimes I fast forward from plant shot to plant shot to try my hand at identification.  I still miss some, but should be batting 1,000 by spring.  All I can say is keep up the good work.  I’m looking forward to your next video.”

 Steve Jennings, On the Blue Ridge, Bluemont, VA

 To Marty Kevin & Bob,

          I just wanted to add my two cents. I want to really thank you guys for a terrific time. I can't believe how much I learned and how much I really didn't know. You guys are the real McCoy. A straight forward, no bullshit program that really rocks. You got my vote for the best survival program anywhere.

               Dan "Trapper" Wilson,    Oakridge, Tenn.

 To Marty & Agnes,

           Just wanted to say hello and thanks for the fantastic week. I haven't been able to stop talking about your program. My husband is coming next year. He says he doesn't feel comfortable with me knowing more about the wilderness than him. I started a primitive club at the school and the kids are crazy about it. They can't believe their teacher could be so cool and know so much. Again, thanks to all of you.

 Carrie Gifford Klingman,  Montrose, WV

to Marty, Agnes & shadow

            Just wanted to say thanks for a truly wonderful program. I learned more this past week then I ever thought possible. Every place I go now I see edible plants that I passed over a thousand times. It is a great feeling knowing now that I have the ability to really take care of myself and family. I also want to mention how much I enjoyed the food. I am a full time chef and I don't think I could prepare food that good in the field. Thanks again.

 Cliff Shuts, Chicago, IL

 Hey Guys,

              Sorry I haven't written sooner but I had so much work to catch up on after the course. Anyway I want to thank you for the fantastic program you put on. I know you've heard this many times before but your program is unbelievable. Thank you again.

 Bill Tunna,    Boston, Mass

PS;  I have one complaint about your knife. My brother and my father in law took one look at it and now they want mine, please hurry and get them back in stock. B.T. 

To Marty Simon,

              I just wanted to send this note and thank you so very much. I never had so much fun learning new skills before. I really loved your course. Please keep on doing what you do and don't even think of retiring soon cause so many people need what you teach.

              Please tell your friend Ron Hood that I want to thank him for recommending your school. If it wasn't for his web site I never would have found out about your school.

              Again, thank you so very much and I will see you next year.

Angie Warner, Little Rock, Ak

 A thank you note,

              Last September I attended a Women only weekend program at Camp Abnaki, Vermont. During that time I attended   2 of your courses. I want to thank you for the wonderful instruction you gave. Finally, after taking 4 different compass courses I now understand how to use a compass & map. You made the class so easy to understand and your patience with us was remarkable. You are a great instructor and I will be attending a week long class with you this summer.

Gene Belding, Montpelier, VT

Marty, Aggie, Big John, Dean & Shadow

Thank you for a wonderful week. I didn't know there was that much to learn about survival and now I'm determined to learn it all. I had a wonderful time. I still don't know how you folks can put on such a wonderful program. I was so tired out after the week but you guys just keep going. I really want to thank you for the special effort on the food. I know I am a big pain in the ass but you guys went way out of your way to get me stuff that I could eat. I wish I could have eaten the other meals you served. Everyone raved about them. See you soon.

Terry Wilsnor,  Boston, Mass

To the WLC  staff,

I never thought that I could have so much fun combined with the learning experience of a lifetime. Thank you so much for everything. I will try to get back in 2010 for the advanced course. I'm not sure my wife will be able to come but I am definitely planning on it. My wife also enjoyed every part of the course. She was especially interested in the wild plant part of the program. Marty, you and your staff are wonderful people and again let me say THANK YOU. Aggie's cooking was fantastic. Mary said that she couldn't believe how great the food was.

Tipp & Mary Belding,  Philadelphia, PA

Marty, Aggie, Bobby, Kevin and the pups,

Wow, what a wonderful experience. I will definitely be taking the advanced course next year. I am present looking into having you put on a course here in VA. I know I can get enough people interested in attending. Will get back to you soon.                   Jason Vernon, Windsor, VA