Matt grew up shadowing his older mentors — dad, grandpas, and other family and friends — all across the farms, fields, woods and waters of west Michigan. For over 30 years, he’s been exploring and refining that knowledge and experience, both locally and in remote parts of the US. For Matt, every setting and season provides read more…a new and interesting landscape of wild edibles, bushcraft resources, and wildlife to explore. He crafts many of his own bows and tools, drawing on the resources of the land with thoughtful care and purpose. He's a father, a local small business owner, and YouTuber who has also contributed behind the scenes for other outdoor survivalists and shows. A minimalist at heart, Matt loves to teach and inspire others, showing that there’s real adventure to be found in learning practical skills and making the most of what’s around you.
Workshops, Classes & More
A Safety-First Approach
Safety is the foundation of everything Matt teaches. Whether working with K–12 students, adults, or mixed-age groups, every session begins with a clear understanding of safe practices — because the most important skill in the outdoors is staying safe. Matt’s approach blends hands-on application, concept explanation, and storytelling to meet people where they are, building understanding from the ground up.
Learning in the outdoors isn’t about getting it right the first time. It’s about curiosity, trial and error, and read more…respecting the process of skill-building. Matt draws on years of experience instructing both kids and adults to create an environment that encourages inquiry, teamwork, and character development — where the goal isn’t perfection, but growth.
Matt currently provides instruction in bushcraft, wilderness skills, and primitive woodworking as part of the Gull Lake Virtual Partnership and at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute.
