Meet Our Resident Instructors

Aaron Hutchings is a Colorado native, veteran, and father of four. He was raised in the Rocky Mountains by a real mountain man and hunting guide he called Grandpa. His love for adventure was first sparked by his grandfather’s teaching and stories. This spark was blown into flame in the Boy Scouts and fanned to a full-on bonfire in the Marine Corps.

Hutch was honored to serve with Special Operations K9 both pre and post 9/11. Because he was K9, Hutch had the privilege of attending several schools, federal and private, that many servicemen would not normally get to attend. It also sent him on many missions ranging from extremely dangerous to just flat out amazing. The Corps is huge on pulling people out of the field occasionally, especially during war, to teach real world things they have learned. It was during a course with Special Operations Training Group that Hutch realized he loved to teach. This lead Hutch to seize the opportunity to train and teach unique skill sets in multiple environments.

After completing courses with some of the most recognized outdoor programs in the country, such as Willow Haven Outdoor (Creek Stewart), Sigma 3 Survival School (Justin Sage Williams/Josh Hamlin), and Pathfinder School (Dave Canterbury), Hutch understood that most outdoor enthusiasts can’t afford the time or expense of travelling the country to acquire the diverse skills offered by multiple schools. This sparked the idea of becoming a lifetime student and full-time instructor. Hutch’s incredible generosity, broad skill set, and hilarious storytelling allows adventurers, regardless of background or experience level, to have a truly unique experience in the wild.

Most recently Hutch has been an assistant teacher for the instructor program at Sigma 3 Survival University in Missouri and a lead instructor for kids classes and K9 classes for Mountain Marrow experiential learning. He also has had the honor of teaching online classes for his friend and teacher, Creek Stewart, on Outdoorcore.com. Hutch is honored to be included among the list of professional instructors teaching at The Survival University and began to join the team at the end of 2019. His short-term goals are to go through the Survival University instructor program and continue to train with the best he can find to fine tune his skills and teaching and to head a full throttle children’s program based on introducing real life skills in a nonthreatening, fun, and memorable fashion to help prepare future generations for their adventures and to be their own heroes.

Hutch believes that we can all relearn the skills of our ancestors and adapt them to fine tune our modern skills and tools. Whether you are a descendant of the Vikings, Native Americans, Picts, or other honorable people, one thing is undeniable: none of us would be here if our ancestors were not survivors. One does not have to be a Green Beret to enjoy the outdoor skills and life that they provide. In fact, most of the things taught to the elite forces around the world have merely been lost to time and used to be common practice to children 5 years and older. The younglings would learn skills now typically reserved for the highest trained individuals as parts of day-to-day games and stories. It is important to focus on these past skills and teaching styles and apply them to our modern adventures. The only thing Hutch likes more than adventuring is helping others to begin on their own path.

Style:  a mix of military methods and those taught by my grandfather.

Mission: My intention is to help people to train to be their own hero and to help them be able to provide for themselves and those they love in any situation and environment. The real goal is to help you reconnect with the skills and strength of your ancestors.

Philosophy:  Sometimes a teacher, always a student.

Personal Motto: No emergency or zombies needed, this stuff is just cool to know.

Military history: Veteran in the USMC, mainly serving in Special Operations and Special Reaction Teams K9.

Specialty skills: (Some but not all)

• Tracking and scouting with K9
• Counter sniper operations
• Primitive fire techniques 
• Explosive detection
• Wildcrafter (edible and medicinal plants) 
• Operations against guerrilla units 
• Antiarmor operations 
• Basic forward observation procedures
• Primitive containers and their uses 
• Modern and primitive shelters and how to enjoy them
• Primitive methods of food procurement        
• Water procurement and purification techniques
• CQB (Close Quarter Battle skills)
• Search and Rescue
• Customs and border patrol
• Primitive navigation techniques
• Bowyer course (bow making)
• Scout knife-only survival
• Natural Cordage and its uses
• USMC hand to hand instructor   
• Secret Clearance obtained

Certifications: (Some but not all)

• Monadnock Defensive Tactics System
• Military working dog handler course                  
• USMC Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Instructor
• American Red Cross Community CPR             
• Safe and Tactical driving program EVOC
• Associates Degree of Science
• Sigma 3 Survival Certified Instructor level 1
• Wingate University School of Pharmacy Doctoral Candidate (incomplete)
• Healthcare Provider CPR and AED

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LEAVE NO TRACE

Ruben, a true child of the wilderness, hails from the rugged terrain of Colorado Springs. Since his early days, he's been drawn to the great outdoors, honing his skills in fire craft, archery, and hunting. Little did he know that these adventurous exploits would one day culminate in a career as a survival instructor. Ruben's fascination with the outdoors was sparked by his unyielding passion for Ninjutsu, an ancient art that delves into the unconventional methods of warfare and espionage in feudal Japan. The ninjas of old were masters of bushcraft and survival, utilizing their skills to navigate the wilderness with ease. Ruben's training in other martial arts, including Aikido and MMA, has only added to his repertoire. A proud member of the esteemed Bujinkan Organization, he has studied Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu/Ninjutsu under the guidance of Don Roley, mastering various weapons forms along the way.

Ruben's journey took a turn when he discovered the call in the world of medicine. He answered the beckoning call and became a Certified Nursing Assistant with specialized training as a telemetry technician. From monitoring heart rhythms on the intense floors of cardiac, CCU, and ICU to training as an Emergency Room Technician, Ruben has seen it all. But his drive to help others in a more hands-on, preventative way never ceased. He knew he could make a bigger impact by becoming a certified massage therapist, and he hasn't looked back since. With his skilled hands, Ruben works to heal and rejuvenate his clients, one knot at a time.

Amidst his journey, Ruben stumbled upon his first love: the great outdoors. The pages of books and the vast expanse of the internet rekindled his interest in bushcraft and survival, reigniting his passion for ninjutsu. His mission was clear, and he set out to acquire the skills that would lead him down the path of wilderness mastery. Ruben's thirst for knowledge brought him to Frontier Rendezvous reenactments, where he experienced first-hand the skills of the legendary mountain man. He knew he had found his calling, and in the summer of 2020, he completed 50 advanced survival courses through Colorado Mountain Man Survival, taking the first step towards becoming an instructor. As he imparts his knowledge to others, Ruben hones his own skills, preparing himself to conquer the wild with ease. His aim is to help others experience the untamed beauty of nature while staying safe during their outdoor excursions. For Ruben, survival isn't just a skill set, it's a way of life.

Your spirit burns with an insatiable desire to explore life's uncharted territories, even if it means blazing your own trail. For Ruben, mastering the art of survival is more than just a hobby; it's a way of life. To him, living freely and seamlessly in nature's embrace is the ultimate goal. And what better way to perfect these skills than by sharing them with others as an instructor? Ruben's fervor lies not just in honing his own abilities but also in inspiring others to follow their passions. By showing others that thriving in the great outdoors is possible, he encourages them to live a life filled with experiences that are true to their heart's calling. Ruben knows that the key to navigating life's journey lies in trusting your inner compass, for it always points you in the direction of your dreams.

Interests: Martial Arts, Bushcraft, Meditation, The Subconscious Mind, Archery, Tracking, Wilderness medicine, Stealth, Unconventional Warfare--everything that encompasses what the Ninja would have known. 

Hobbies: Camping, Reading, studying various subjects, and martial arts training. 

INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION

WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER CERTIFICATION

 
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From the dusty plains of small-town Texas emerged a hunting and archery prodigy - Tanner. At the tender age of 6, he was already acquainted with the great outdoors, spending his summers helping his father with horses, chores, and gearing up for the fall hunting seasons. As he grew older, he traded in his rifle for a bow, starting with a traditional one before eventually graduating to a compound bow.

Tanner's passion for archery and hunting led him to rub shoulders with some of the best coaches and pro shooters in the industry, including Adam Guggisberg, Michael Braden, John Dudley, Dave Cousins, Tom Clum Sr., and Joel Hunter. From chasing elk in September to hunting whitetail in winters, he has always found solace in the wild. But his love for archery took him down a new path, one that led him to become an archery instructor in his 20s - a role he continues to excel in today.

Returning to his roots as a traditional archer, Tanner feels grateful for the tutelage of Tom Clum Sr. who continually helps him peel away the layers and reach new heights as both an archer and coach. For Tanner, every day is a fresh opportunity to hone his skills, both in the field and in the art of teaching others.

CMM INSTRUCTOR PROGRAM CERTIFICATION

SAFESPORT TRAINED

WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER CERTIFICATE

LEVEL 2 ARCHERY INSTRUCTOR

Jonathan Collins was born in New Hampshire and as a child he started exploring the woods on fishing trips with his father and he never stopped exploring.

He traveled the world as an Infantry soldier for 10 years in the US army. While in the army he graduated from US Army infantry school, Airborne school, Air assault school, US Army sniper school, US Special Forces Fieldcraft Sniper training course, and US Army Ranger School. Jonathan is a certified US Army combative instructor. He also completed the combat lifesaver course, is Red Cross certified and Wilderness First Responder certified. Jonathan is POST certified search and rescue tracker and is currently taking the Introduction to Tracking course through Tracker Mentoring.

Jonathan is a graduate of UCCS with a degree in geography and environmental studies. He currently works as a map maker in Colorado Springs CO. He is the proud father of three boys, has coached countless sports team and was an Assistant Scout master with the Boy Scouts of America.

Jonathan’s interests are primitive fire making, primitive shelter building, wilderness navigation, tracking, and primitive cordage.

INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION

WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER CERTIFICATION

Leave No Trace

"In this unique time, we are being called to live in greater communion with ourselves, humanity and the natural world. We can awaken our senses to engage life in a more meaningful way through the study of direct living skills and choosing to be a student of the outdoors. Welcome to a life of increased resiliency and simplicity where joy, strength, connection and wonderment awaits"
~ Wildkind Jess

Although Washington has been my home for the last 25 years, I spent my youth as a "free-range" kid living in Central Oregon where riding horses, building fires and venturing out on a trail surrounded by juniper and sage was a natural part of growing up. At age 14, I trekked the PCT from Oregon to Washington for a three-week expedition with Outward Bound and have been finding ways to engage the great outdoors with friends and family ever since. I spent a lot of time in the mountains throughout my life as a downhill ski racer and enjoy the winter months in the Pacific Northwest.  I recently recently completed the winter survival training through TSU.

I have discovered that getting "offline" and immersed in the wonders of nature have been crucial for navigating modern stressors with more resiliency. As a parent of two teenage boys, I am well-versed in the many challenges that we all are facing as we consider the next generation and how our modern lifestyles can be detrimental to our mind, body, spirit and planet. In this unique and challenging time of uncertainty, there is freedom and expansiveness through both the inward journey of self-discovery and our personal engagement with the elements and natural world. These can be subtle explorations using the senses as well as hard skills that are available to anyone who has an interest.

Outdoor-based education and learning the basic hard skills that our Ancestors passed down throughout generations, help shift us out of convenient consumption and device addiction and into an integration with the natural world and greater self-reliance. Rewilding ourselves is at the very core of our primal nature. I have spent as much time as possible doing things differently than the current model of city-centric living. Read my Field Notes Blog to learn more about hunting, archery, fishing, foraging and direct living skills. I make connection and community a priority in my life and love being an educator with the opportunity to share and receive knowledge from others. As a certified Wilderness Survival Instructor who graduated the 50-day Advanced Woodsman Course through the Survival University, I am thrilled to partner with TSU to bring more class offerings to our expanding communities.

Although Wildkind Academy HQ is located in Washington, Jess Caldwell teaches courses throughout the western states and beyond. She graduated from Portland State University with a degree in Health & Fitness Promotion and has taught yoga and meditation for nearly 15 years. As an outdoor journalist (read her published articles here) as well as public speaker promoting the outdoor lifestyle featured on podcasts, radio and commercials, Jess is dedicated to sharing her knowledge with those who hear the call of the wild.

Certifications & Education

• 50 Day Advanced Woodsman Certification, The Survival University
• Certified Wilderness First Responder, Offgrid Medic
• Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Institute of Integrative Nutrition
• Certified Yoga & Mindfulness Instructor, Alive & Shine Wellness Center
• Bachelor of Science: Health & Wellness Promotion, Portland State University

INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION

WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER CERTIFICATION

NUTRITION HEALTH COACH CERTIFICATION

Though he was born in Illinois Jason has called Colorado his home for 42 years. He grew up in the small town of Woodland Park in the foothills just west of Colorado Springs. Growing up in the foothills Jason had the mountains at his back door which meant he learned everything you could imagine about the outdoors including hunting. Jason has hunted wild game animals for most of his life and with hunting came butchering. Now at 45 he's been butchering animals for 35 years. With construction, law enforcement, landscaping and in a few kitchens as a teenager being the work he did growing up his butchering had come full circle in 2012.

Jason attended the butcher course offered by the Rocky Mountain Institute of Meat and never looked back. By fall of 2013 he left his full time job and pursued his dream of becoming a butcher. Having aligned himself with the ACF and his career taking off a year later in 2014 he was sought out by the Army with an interest in developing a field butchering program for healthier eating while deployed and career advancement back home. Now 4 years later Jason still trains the Army Special Forces and looks to expand into other branches of military in 2018.

Besides his work with the military Jason has had the pleasure of working with Celebrity Chef's like Graham Elliot, Sophina Uong, Rick Tramonto, Hosea Rosenberg and Fernando Ruiz just to name a few, Jason has been a been showcased at food & wine events across the country showing off his butchery and cooking skills.