business plan outdoor education

How to Develop a Business Plan for Outdoor Survival Skills Training

Outdoor Survival Skills School Bundle

Launching a successful Outdoor Survival Skills School requires meticulous planning and preparation. Before diving into your business plan, consider this 9-step checklist to ensure your venture is poised for success. From conducting thorough market research to refining your business objectives, each step lays the foundation for a robust and sustainable enterprise. Embark on this transformative journey with strategic foresight and unlock the key to your outdoor education venture's prosperity.

Steps Prior To Business Plan Writing

Conduct thorough market research and analysis.

Embarking on the journey of establishing an Outdoor Survival Skills School requires a deep understanding of the market landscape. By conducting comprehensive market research and analysis, you can uncover invaluable insights that will shape the foundation of your business plan and ensure your success in this competitive industry.

Begin by examining the current state of the outdoor survival skills training market . Investigate the size and growth trends of this market, as well as the specific needs and preferences of your target audience. According to the latest industry reports, the global outdoor and survival skills training market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2021 to 2028 , reaching a market size of $2.9 billion by 2028 .

Identify the key players in the market and analyze their offerings, pricing structures, and marketing strategies. This will help you understand the competitive landscape and develop a unique value proposition that sets your Outdoor Survival Skills School apart from the rest.

• Conduct in-depth interviews with potential customers to understand their pain points, preferences, and willingness to invest in outdoor survival skills training.
• Analyze industry reports and market trends to stay up-to-date with the latest developments and emerging opportunities.
• Gather data on the demographic characteristics, geographic distribution, and psychographic profiles of your target audience to tailor your offerings and marketing approach.

Additionally, explore the regulatory environment and legal requirements for operating an Outdoor Survival Skills School in your region. Familiarize yourself with the necessary licenses, permits, and safety standards to ensure compliance and mitigate potential risks.

By conducting thorough market research and analysis, you will be able to make informed decisions, develop a compelling value proposition, and create a robust business plan that positions your Outdoor Survival Skills School for long-term success in this growing and dynamic market.

Identify Target Audience and Their Needs

Defining your target audience is a crucial step in developing a successful business plan for your Outdoor Survival Skills School. By understanding the specific needs and preferences of your potential customers, you can tailor your offerings, marketing strategies, and overall business approach to better meet their expectations.

To identify your target audience, start by conducting thorough market research. Analyze demographic data, such as age, gender, income level, and geographic location, to determine who is most likely to be interested in your outdoor survival skills training. Consider factors like the level of outdoor experience, motivations for seeking survival skills, and preferred learning styles.

Once you have a clear understanding of your target audience, delve deeper into their specific needs and pain points. What challenges do they face when it comes to outdoor activities and emergency preparedness? What skills do they currently lack, and how can your Outdoor Survival Skills School fill those gaps? By addressing these needs, you can position your school as a valuable and relevant solution for your target market.

• Conduct market surveys, focus groups, or interviews to gather direct feedback from your target audience.
• Analyze industry trends and reports to identify emerging needs and preferences in the outdoor survival skills market.
• Engage with online communities and forums to understand the pain points and concerns of your potential customers.

It's important to note that your target audience may not be a single homogeneous group. Consider segmenting your market based on factors like age, experience level, or specific outdoor activities. This will allow you to tailor your offerings and marketing strategies to address the unique needs of each segment, ultimately increasing your chances of success.

By thoroughly understanding your target audience and their needs, you can develop a business plan that aligns with their expectations and sets your Outdoor Survival Skills School up for long-term growth and profitability. This foundational knowledge will also inform other critical aspects of your business planning, such as product development, pricing, and marketing.

According to a recent industry report, the global outdoor survival skills training market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2021 to 2028 , reaching a value of $3.8 billion by 2028 . This demonstrates a strong and growing demand for the type of services your Outdoor Survival Skills School can provide.

Assess Competition and Their Offerings

In the competitive landscape of outdoor survival skills training, understanding your competition is crucial. By conducting a thorough analysis of your rivals, you can identify their strengths, weaknesses, and the unique value they offer to their clients. This assessment will not only help you position your Outdoor Survival Skills School effectively but also inspire innovative strategies to set your business apart.

Begin by researching the existing players in your local and regional market. Gather information on their program offerings, pricing structures, target audience, and delivery methods. Pay close attention to the specific survival skills they teach, the duration and format of their courses, and the overall experience they provide to their students.

Next, evaluate the unique selling points of your competitors. What are the key features that set them apart? Do they specialize in certain outdoor activities, such as wilderness navigation or wilderness first aid? Do they offer advanced-level courses for experienced outdoor enthusiasts? Identify the areas where your competitors excel, as well as any gaps in the market that your Outdoor Survival Skills School can fill.

• Benchmark your competitors' pricing strategies to ensure your offerings are competitively positioned.
• Analyze the customer reviews and testimonials of your competitors to understand their strengths and weaknesses from the client's perspective.
• Explore the marketing and promotional tactics used by your competitors to reach their target audience and consider how you can differentiate your approach.

By thoroughly assessing your competition, you can develop a comprehensive understanding of the outdoor survival skills training market. This knowledge will inform your unique value proposition, pricing strategy, and marketing efforts, ultimately positioning your Outdoor Survival Skills School for success in a crowded and competitive industry.

According to a recent industry report, the global outdoor education market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.7% from 2021 to 2028 , reaching a total market size of $2.4 billion by 2028 . This growth is driven by the increasing demand for experiential learning, adventure tourism, and self-reliance skills among both individuals and corporate clients. By positioning your Outdoor Survival Skills School to capitalize on this expanding market, you can establish a strong competitive advantage and secure a profitable share of this lucrative industry.

Develop a Unique Value Proposition

Establishing a unique value proposition is crucial for the success of your Outdoor Survival Skills School. In a crowded market, it's essential to differentiate your offering and clearly communicate the distinct benefits you provide to your target audience.

Begin by thoroughly understanding your target market. Identify the specific needs, pain points, and preferences of your prospective students. What motivates them to seek outdoor survival training? What are they currently lacking in the market? Use this deep understanding to craft a value proposition that directly addresses their unique requirements.

• Conduct in-depth market research, including surveys, interviews, and competitor analysis, to uncover insights about your target audience.
• Analyze the current offerings in the outdoor survival skills training market and identify gaps or areas where you can provide a superior experience.
• Leverage your unique expertise, teaching methodologies, or specialized equipment to differentiate your school from the competition.

Your value proposition should highlight the key benefits that your Outdoor Survival Skills School offers, such as personalized instruction, real-world applicability, or a focus on specific outdoor activities. Clearly articulate how your school stands out and delivers exceptional value to your students.

For example, your unique value proposition could be: 'Wilderness Mastery Academy provides hands-on, personalized outdoor survival training that empowers our clients to confidently navigate and thrive in any natural environment. With a focus on practical application and small class sizes, we ensure our students gain the skills and confidence to enjoy the great outdoors safely.'

By developing a compelling and differentiated value proposition, you'll be able to attract and retain students who are seeking the specific benefits your Outdoor Survival Skills School offers. This will be a crucial foundation for your business plan and marketing efforts.

Determine the Required Resources and Costs

Establishing the necessary resources and associated costs is a critical step in developing a robust business plan for your Outdoor Survival Skills School. This step involves carefully assessing the various elements required to launch and operate your school, ensuring you have a clear understanding of the financial investment needed to bring your vision to life.

One of the primary considerations is the physical space required for your school. This may include the cost of renting or purchasing a suitable location, as well as any necessary renovations or upgrades to accommodate your training programs. According to industry data, the average cost of renting a dedicated outdoor education facility in the United States ranges from $2,000 to $5,000 per month, depending on the location and size of the space.

In addition to the physical space, you'll need to account for the equipment and supplies required for your outdoor survival skills training. This may include camping gear, survival kits, first-aid supplies, and specialized tools. Industry research suggests that the initial investment for outfitting an Outdoor Survival Skills School can range from $20,000 to $50,000, depending on the scope and scale of your program offerings.

• Consider purchasing high-quality, durable equipment that can withstand the rigors of outdoor training and be used for multiple sessions.
• Explore opportunities to partner with outdoor gear manufacturers or retailers to secure discounted or wholesale pricing on essential supplies.
• Invest in a comprehensive inventory management system to track and maintain your equipment effectively.

Another significant cost to consider is the staffing requirements for your Outdoor Survival Skills School. This may include hiring experienced instructors, guides, and support personnel to ensure the smooth operation of your programs. Industry data suggests that the average annual salary for an outdoor survival skills instructor in the United States ranges from $35,000 to $55,000, depending on their level of expertise and the region.

Finally, you'll need to factor in ongoing operational expenses, such as utilities, insurance, marketing, and administrative costs. According to industry benchmarks, the average monthly operating expenses for an Outdoor Survival Skills School can range from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the scale and complexity of your operations.

By carefully considering and budgeting for these various resource requirements and associated costs, you can develop a comprehensive financial plan that will serve as a solid foundation for your Outdoor Survival Skills School business venture.

Secure Necessary Licenses and Permits

Starting an outdoor survival skills school requires navigating a complex web of legal and regulatory requirements. Securing the necessary licenses and permits is a crucial step in the process, ensuring your business operates within the bounds of the law and safeguards the well-being of your students.

The specific licenses and permits needed will vary depending on your location, the scope of your training programs, and the facilities you plan to use. However, some common requirements may include:

• Business License: Obtain the appropriate business license or registration for your state, county, or municipality to legally operate your outdoor survival skills school.
• Zoning and Land Use Permits: Ensure your proposed location is zoned for the type of educational and outdoor activities you plan to offer. This may involve securing permits from local authorities.
• Instructor Certifications: Require your instructors to hold relevant certifications in areas such as wilderness first aid, outdoor leadership, and specialized survival skills training.
• Insurance Coverage: Obtain adequate liability insurance to protect your business and clients in the event of accidents or injuries during outdoor training sessions.
• Environmental Permits: If your school plans to use public lands or natural areas for training, you may need to secure permits from local, state, or federal authorities to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
• Consult with local authorities and industry associations to ensure you are aware of all the necessary licenses and permits required in your area.
• Consider hiring a legal professional to guide you through the licensing and permitting process, as the requirements can be complex and constantly evolving.
• Factor the costs of licenses, permits, and insurance into your overall business plan to ensure financial viability.

By proactively addressing the legal and regulatory requirements, you can mitigate risks, protect your business, and demonstrate your commitment to operating a responsible and compliant outdoor survival skills school. This step lays the foundation for a strong and sustainable enterprise, allowing you to focus on delivering exceptional training experiences to your students.

Establish a Strong Brand Identity

Developing a strong brand identity is a crucial step in establishing your Outdoor Survival Skills School. Your brand will serve as the foundation for how your business is perceived by your target audience, so it's essential to invest time and effort into crafting a compelling and memorable brand.

Start by defining your school's core values, mission, and unique selling proposition. What sets your outdoor survival training apart from the competition? How do you want your customers to feel when they engage with your brand? Answering these questions will help you create a brand that resonates with your target market and differentiates your business.

• Conduct thorough market research to understand your target audience's preferences and pain points. This will inform the development of your brand identity.
• Develop a visually appealing and consistent brand identity, including a logo, color palette, and typography. This will help your school stand out in a crowded market.
• Craft a compelling brand story that highlights your school's unique history, values, and mission. This will help you connect with your audience on an emotional level.

Once you've established your brand identity, it's crucial to consistently apply it across all touchpoints, from your website and marketing materials to your physical facilities and staff uniforms. This will help build brand recognition and reinforce your school's reputation as a trusted provider of outdoor survival training.

According to a recent study, 82% of consumers say that a company's brand has a significant impact on their purchasing decisions. By investing in a strong and coherent brand identity, you'll be better positioned to attract and retain your target audience, ultimately driving the success of your Outdoor Survival Skills School.

Explore Potential Partnerships and Collaborations

Establishing strategic partnerships and collaborations can be a powerful way to elevate your Outdoor Survival Skills School and accelerate its growth. By aligning with complementary businesses, organizations, or educational institutions, you can tap into new markets, expand your reach, and enhance the value you provide to your clients.

One potential avenue to explore is partnering with outdoor gear and equipment retailers. These businesses cater to the same target audience as your Outdoor Survival Skills School and can serve as valuable distribution channels for your services. By offering joint promotions, in-store demonstrations, or even co-branded survival kits, you can leverage their existing customer base and increase brand awareness.

Similarly, collaborating with local adventure tour operators, hiking clubs, or outdoor recreation centers can open up new avenues for student recruitment and program promotion. These partners can refer their clients to your Outdoor Survival Skills School, and in turn, you can offer specialized training or certification programs tailored to their needs.

• Consider partnering with outdoor education or wilderness therapy programs to provide complementary skill-building opportunities for their participants.
• Explore potential sponsorship or endorsement deals with prominent outdoor enthusiasts or influencers to boost your credibility and reach.
• Forge relationships with emergency management agencies, search and rescue organizations, or first responder training programs to provide specialized training and expand your client base.

When evaluating potential partnerships, it's crucial to ensure alignment with your Outdoor Survival Skills School's brand, values, and long-term objectives. Carefully vet potential partners to ensure they share your commitment to safety, quality, and customer satisfaction. By building a robust network of strategic alliances, you can leverage the strengths and resources of others to create a more comprehensive and compelling offering for your clients.

According to a recent industry survey, 78% of successful outdoor education businesses reported having at least one strategic partnership or collaboration that contributed significantly to their growth and profitability . Embracing this collaborative approach can be a game-changer for your Outdoor Survival Skills School, providing access to new markets, enhancing your credibility, and ultimately driving greater success for your business.

Refine the Business Idea and Objectives

As you prepare to write a comprehensive business plan for your Outdoor Survival Skills School, it's crucial to refine your business idea and clearly define your objectives. This step will serve as the foundation for the rest of your planning process, ensuring that your school's offerings and strategies are aligned with the needs of your target market.

Begin by revisiting the key aspects of your business idea, Wilderness Mastery Academy . Ensure that your mission, vision, and core values are well-defined and accurately reflect the unique value you aim to provide to your customers. Consider the specific outdoor survival skills you will teach, the teaching methods you will employ, and the overall experience you want to create for your students.

• Clearly articulate the unique selling proposition of your Outdoor Survival Skills School, highlighting how it differs from existing competitors in the market.
• Identify the key target segments you plan to serve, such as outdoor enthusiasts, adventure seekers, or individuals seeking emergency preparedness training.
• Establish specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives for your school, such as the number of students to enroll, revenue targets, or geographic expansion plans.

As you refine your business idea, it's essential to consider the evolving needs and preferences of your target audience. Conduct additional market research, gather feedback from potential customers, and stay up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies that could impact the delivery and content of your outdoor survival skills training programs.

By taking the time to thoroughly examine and refine your business idea and objectives, you'll be better equipped to develop a comprehensive and compelling business plan that resonates with your target market and positions your Outdoor Survival Skills School for long-term success. This step lays the groundwork for the subsequent planning stages, ensuring that your school's offerings and strategies are tailored to meet the specific needs and desires of your customers.

According to a recent industry report, the global outdoor education market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.2% from 2021 to 2028 , reaching a market size of $1.9 billion by 2028 . This trend underscores the growing demand for specialized outdoor survival skills training and the potential for your Outdoor Survival Skills School to capture a significant share of this expanding market.

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How I Escaped The 9 to 5 And Set Up My Own Business In The Woods

The other day I saw a news report that in the UK there is a staggeringly large waiting list of 51,000 children who want to join Scouting groups across the country – you can read that article here.  This one fact alone shows how much demand there is currently for regular outdoor activity sessions for children. Alongside this huge demand, I think there’s an equally growing groundswell movement of outdoor education, not only in the UK but in America too. It seems that everywhere there are initiatives, community schemes and small businesses springing up to offer children (and adults for that matter) quality wild time experiences.

Here at Woodland Classroom we’re one of many growing outdoor education service providers across the country and it’s great to be part of such a thriving community. Like so many others, our business is growing and new opportunities to get kids outdoors are coming to us all the time. We wanted to tell the story of another fellow outdoor educator, who only last year started out on his journey to create his own outdoor education company. It’s also the story of how we were able to help him set up his new forest school and outdoor education enterprise.

I think it’s the passion of the people running outdoor education today that is really key to it’s increasing popularity. Activity Leaders like James are all so passionate about their subject matters, about engaging people of all ages in nature whether it’s forest school, woodland kindergarten, Scouts & Guides, summer camp, or any of the many forms outdoor education can take. It’s the old tale of the teacher who inspired a child to ignite their own spark for learning about nature and enjoying quality time outdoors. I take my hat off to all outdoor activity leaders (especially all you volunteers) who are passing their enthusiasm on to the next generation.

We sat down with James to here the tale behind Wild Thyme Outdoors and what inspired him to go it alone and become a part of the growing outdoor education scene. We’re happy to say that we were able to play a part in his success story too.

LW (Lea Wakeman)  Hi James. Thanks for talking with us. Can you tell me w hy you wanted to set up an outdoor education business?

JD (James Dunlop) “It’s just part of who I am. Outdoor education is an expression of me as a person, an unapologetic nature geek with a fiery passion for working with children. They are so much smarter than we are, so much more aware! I learn so much just teaching young ones. There is however, an  upsetting lack (in my honest opinion) of outdoor provision for young and old alike. We treat nature as if it is something totally separate to ourselves, even the word nature, a label, is a separation of ourselves from all that it encompasses, what many don’t realise is we are nature too! I want to set up a outdoor education business to give people the opportunity to realise, we are not separate from the natural world, nor should we be afraid of it.”

LW I couldn’t agree more. Tell me about your background and how did you get to this point in your career?

JD “As a little one I grew up in a suburban part of Wales not too far from Newport. It was a time before PlayStation and iPads, my favourite ‘toy’ was a pair of buckskin trousers and a waist coat that my parents had bought back from a business trip to America. I would wear these continuously always wanting to be the Indian in a game of Cowboys & Indians. I have no idea where this fascination with the indigenous people of America came from, but it still hasn’t left me to this day!”

“Long story short, I joined John Ryder of the Woodcraft School for a week as a 16th birthday present, joined the cadets, attended the Army foundation college and post military found myself at Shuttleworth College studying Outdoor Education.”

“After 6 years I entered the fitness industry. But even here my passion for all things outdoors and nature based followed me. I discovered the world of ‘natural movement’ and soon became adept and qualified to teach what is now coined ‘primitive movement patterns.’ The itch to get back to working outdoors grew and grew and before long I was in a position where I either did something about it or moved away from it altogether.”

“Enter an amazing influence!  Woodland Classroom pops up on my facebook newsfeed, before I’d finished my coffee I had read, watched and consumed everything James & Lea had on social media and their website, now a YouTube search on Forest School lead me to even more! I was hooked! This was it! The answer to everything I had learnt over the last 10 years, the cure for the itch!”

“So here I am now! Standing on the edge of a woodland with my big idea; Wild Thyme Outdoors – forest school, nature nursery and woodland skills.”

JD “In 3 years time, I would like to have multiple locations running forest schools and nature nurseries for various age groups and a committed and visionary team of individuals helping me deliver some of the best nature immersion and outdoor education training in the South-East.”

 LW We first met after you contacted us about our online Mentoring scheme for forest school leaders and outdoor educators. How was your experience with the mentoring session? What did you get out of it?

JD  “I’ve never had a mentoring session before, though I do recognise the power of mentorship. For months I was saying to my peers that I needed some kind of business mentor or just a personal mentor of some description. Needless to say when I saw that you offered forest school specific mentoring It ticked many boxes for me. I could have a conversation with someone who was already further down the path so I could get answers to many of my questions and also finally have that mentor, that person that I could be held accountable to.”

“You were both super open and honest about how you structure your business and what pitfalls and hurdles you came across that I should keep an eye out for. This greatly reduces my learning curve and speeds up all the boring admin bits that I hate doing. More importantly you enquired about what I had done and intended to do before I started offering forest school programmes, highlighting things that I was wasting time on and where my focus really should be.”

FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MENTORING SCHEME

James has been having a lot of success with bookings for woodland birthday parties.

LW What was the one most useful piece of advice that came out of the Mentoring session?

JD “To just get on with it! I spend so much time making sure that every possible angle has been covered that it would be 2018 before I was even in the position to start. I’d say to anyone reading this, that if this is what you want, stop fretting and get a move on. Start small, run a few pilot days for friends and family (which is exactly what I did) and tell as many people as you can about what you’re doing. Before the month was out I had countless people asking me for more details and two schools interested in developing a relationship with Wild Thyme!”

LW What was the main benefit of having the Mentoring session to you? What did it enable you to do?

JD “I think the main benefit was to create clarity for me to begin, both you and James were able to put my mind at ease about so many things, and point me on the path that I needed to be on. Whilst I’m all about creating your own journey it can be a massive help to be shown parts of the journey by those who have done it.”

JD “Since we last spoke; we have registered the business so it’s official, we have booked our level 3 Forest School Leaders training  and  we have a queue for birthday parties! We have also explored the realm of opening the Forest School up as a day care/nursery 3 days a week which has been met with great interest.  Our website is being constructed and we have graphic designer working on the brand designs and associated media. Through several connections we have 3 schools interested in our Forest Schools program. It’s all Go! Go! Go!”

LW Thanks for speaking with us James, and best of luck for the future. I know we will keep in touch.

You can find out more about our online Mentoring scheme by following the link below.

GET ONE TO ONE MENTORING NOW

It’s an exciting time to be involved in outdoor education and if you think we could help you like we’ve helped James and so many others, then don’t hesitate to get in touch.

You can find out more about Wild Thyme Outdoors and follow James’ continuing adventures by visiting his website  RIGHT HERE.

Lea Wakeman

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