The Hike & Survival course is a specialized training program. This course can be completed separately, but it's also a perfect complement to the BSI program and other outdoor sports courses, as preparation for the Wilderness Guide program in Canada and/or Hiking & Backpacking Guide. You can also enroll simply because you enjoy it and want to learn more. Participants receive intensive training in the many techniques offered by H&S. After completing the course, participants will be able to lead groups and provide instruction in Hike & Survival. This course is also part of the accredited Voshaar MBO Oudoorsports & Guiding program.

New is the 'private version'. This course runs parallel to the instructor training but is intended for those who are doing it purely for themselves and don't want to graduate as an instructor. For this group, the preparation for the Vosges Mountains and the Vosges trip is waived. These participants may also spread the course over two years.
The practical exam can be taken as training. Theory exams, projects, and logbooks are not applicable to the Private version. However, the Medic First Aid course and the exam are included.

This training has existed since 2010 and is organised every year.

Course dates: At the bottom of this page

The Hike & Survival course is recognized as a specialized course by the Wilderness Guides Association.

De Voshaar has now trained dozens of participants to become H&S instructors and is the only specialized Dutch training center in this field.

Course Start: Every year in October / November
Course duration: 8 months (8 weekends at the Voshaar in Eibergen, a 4-day winter training and a 3-day training in France).
In addition to the regular course days, there is a 24-hour solo skill challenge. There are several times for this, the date will be determined later with the student, after the winter training.

Costs 2026-2027:
Instructor training: € 1650.00
Private version: € 1350,-
Excluding travel costs, accommodation costs abroad, food and insurance
Includes H&S starter pack (consisting of a knife, firestriker and the Voshaar nature guide).
Including the Online Flora & Fauna course
Including the Online Wilderness Skills & Knowledge Course
Please pay a deposit of €800 upon registration. The remaining tuition fee is due by October 1st of the academic year for the instructor-only version.
For the Private version this is December 31st.

Refund of Course Fees: If you cancel your registration before or during a course, no course fees will be refunded. We do, however, strive to provide solutions in the event of injuries, illness, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Number of students per year: maximum 30
We usually work with 2 or 3 instructors per group.
In October, you will receive a login code and access to the learning resources (link at the bottom of this page). The Wilderness Handbook 'Tracks of the White Wolf' you must purchase it yourself.
The list of participants will also be announced.

Most training sessions take place at or around our location in Eibergen. In addition to these, there's a winter training session in the Jura or Vercors/Chartreuse mountains, and a training session in the Vosges mountains.

Examination: Exam weekend in Eibergen, covering many techniques. For those taking the private version, this is also a great personal test.
– Practical exam (with a focus on orientation, fire making, knots, time management, and flora identification)
– Theory exam (Tracks of the white wolf, Avalanche Awareness)

– Medic First Aid Exam
– Project Vosges
– Logbook. Participants must keep a logbook during the training days in France. This must be submitted digitally at the end of the training.

The total score for both the practical and theoretical components determines whether a candidate graduates as an instructor. To graduate as an instructor, the practical components must be successfully completed and a minimum score of 70% must be achieved on the theory exam.
There is one resit for the theory exam, and no resit for the entire practical section (if one part is insufficient and the theory score is 7.0 or higher, a resit is possible).
The project assessment must be sufficient.
Everything must be completed and submitted by December 31 of the academic year (approximately 14 months after the start)

To complete the Instructor qualification, it is necessary for the student to attend the winter and spring training in France.

subjects

Using the compass (with or without a topographic map)
Coordinate system in combination with the use of a map and map angle meter
Being able to read maps
GPS
Setting compass courses
Setting out tours
Orientation with limited resources

Bivouac – shelters

Knots, lashings & tensioning techniques

Making a fire with limited resources
Traps & snares
Wading and river crossing
Outdoor cooking

Wintertravel & Survival

Medic First Aid 'Outdoor'‘
Including MFA examination

Materials

You'll need the following materials during the course. These materials are not provided by Voshaar.

– Good and suitable clothing
- Sturdy footwear
– Tent (optional, you can sleep under a tarp)
– Matje
– Sleeping bag, resistant to at least -5 degrees Celsius.
– Cooking, drinking and eating utensils (Cooking utensils/burners can of course be shared)
– Waterproof marker and waterproof fine-tip pen (a thin marker)
– Writing paper and pen
– Headlamp or flashlight
– AA batteries (for GPS use)
– Tarpaulin, sail or poncho
– Backpack of at least 50 liters.
– Personal first aid kit
– Card cover
– Map angle meter
– Compass
– GSM