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Experience Practical Outdoor Survival
Trustworthy Training, Real Experience
Our Journey to Outdoor Confidence
Rooted in Field-Tested Experience
Third Millennium Survival Outdoors began with Steve Southard's lifelong connection to the American wilderness and decades spent preparing others for real-world emergencies. After serving as a first responder, Steve retired in 2014 but never set aside his drive to help others. Drawing from years guiding fishing trips on Lake Erie, hunting and trapping throughout the Midwest, and spending countless nights camping across the US and Canada, he recognized that many families and new outdoor enthusiasts felt overwhelmed or unprepared when facing nature's challenges. His journey from career public servant to survival instructor was motivated by a simple need: to offer practical, hands-on outdoor survival knowledge in a way that felt accessible and supportive for all ages and skill levels. Certified in first aid, with advanced training in search and rescue, and experience teaching as a parks ranger, Steve shares a depth of expertise that only comes with a lifetime spent outdoors. Through Third Millennium Survival Outdoors, he provides guided instruction, honest learning moments, and a steady hand so every person can step outside with confidence and a sense of readiness.
A Mission Rooted in Community
The heart of Third Millennium Survival Outdoors is a commitment to empowering others by sharing skills that keep individuals and groups safe in the outdoors. Each course is crafted around the belief that self-reliance is built step by step, with patience, clear instruction, and hands-on practice. Rather than overwhelming students with theory, all training is grounded in realistic scenarios faced by families, teens, adults, and experienced outdoor hobbyists. Steve's approach is intentionally personal: smaller groups, private sessions, and local flexibility ensure every learner has a path tailored to their comfort and goals. The business stands out for weaving a faith-based ethic into its foundation, quietly shaping a welcoming environment where honesty, service, and community shine. By focusing on navigation, shelter, fire, water, and practical preparedness, Third Millennium Survival Outdoors aims to raise both outdoor skills and personal confidence. Whether helping a child light their first campfire or walking a seasoned camper through advanced bushcraft, the mission remains the same: to foster courage, safety, and lifelong self-reliance for every participant.
Steve Southard
Founder and Instructor
Steve Southard leads Third Millennium Survival Outdoors as its founder and principal instructor, drawing from a life spent in both emergency services and wild spaces. After retiring as a career first responder in 2014, Steve built his business on the conviction that everyone deserves to feel prepared and self-reliant in any environment. His credentials stretch from first aid and CPR certification to advanced search and rescue and years training as a parks ranger and guide across North America. Steve has guided families on Lake Erie, hunted and camped across the Midwest, and handled everything from wildlife trapping to outdoor education. He now shares these field-tested skills through approachable, scenario-based lessons grounded in real experience rather than classroom theory. Steve's teaching is driven by compassion, patience, and a practical faith that shapes his commitment to safety and honest community service. As instructor and mentor, he gives every student - from young campers to seasoned outdoorsmen - the tools and encouragement to meet challenges with confidence.