Georgia Bushcraft 2026: My Weekend With Naked and Afraid and Alone Survivalists

By Steven Kelly (Survival Ste)

I've just spent an absolutely brilliant weekend at the Georgia Bushcraft Fall Gathering 2026 in Watkinsville, Georgia. I flew over from the UK expecting a good weekend of bushcraft, new faces and a few campfire stories. I got all that, and far more.

I've been surrounded by people from Naked and Afraid, Alone and the wider survival world, joined bushcraft classes, eaten a ridiculous amount of food, recorded an appearance on the Hoosier Bushcraft Podcast and found myself on stage for an Alone vs. Naked and Afraid panel hosted by Zachary Fowler. It's been an awesome experience.

Watch my Georgia Bushcraft 2026 weekend

Watch my full Georgia Bushcraft weekend on YouTube.

From Plymouth to Georgia

The gathering took place from 6 to 8 November 2026, just outside Athens. Bushcraft instructors, outdoor brands, survival enthusiasts and people who love the outdoors came together for classes, demonstrations, food and plenty of conversations.

What stood out was the atmosphere. It wasn't about showing off or trying to prove who was the best survivalist. People were happy to share their knowledge and stories. One minute you're looking at bushcraft gear, the next you're talking to somebody who has lived through the same sort of survival television experience as you.

Meeting the survival legends

I spent time with EJ Snyder, Melissa Backwoods, Zachary Fowler, Jason Salyer, Andrew Price, Jacks Genega, Dave Canterbury and Joe Flowers, along with loads of other brilliant people.

I've watched, learnt from and followed people in the survival world for years. Getting to spend proper time chatting with them in person was something else. Some conversations were about techniques or television, others were just catching up, having a laugh and enjoying the weekend.

I got some great photographs and memories from those moments. But the real value was in the conversations, rather than just getting a picture.

On stage: Alone vs. Naked and Afraid

One of my biggest highlights was taking part in the Alone vs. Naked and Afraid discussion hosted by Zachary Fowler, the winner of Alone Season 3.

I've completed 21 days in Colombia on Naked and Afraid and a further 35 days in South Africa on Naked and Afraid: Apocalypse. That's 56 days across the franchise, and I know from experience that viewers only ever see a fraction of what really happens out there.

Getting on stage and sharing some of those experiences with people who understand survival television was brilliant. There's plenty to compare between the two shows: kit, isolation, partners, hunger, the mental side and how you respond when things aren't going your way.

It meant a lot to be up there contributing to the discussion instead of just sitting in the audience.

My Hoosier Bushcraft Podcast appearance

I also had the chance to appear on the Hoosier Bushcraft Podcast. I enjoy a proper conversation where you can get beyond the quick survival tricks and explain the decisions, difficulties and lessons behind an expedition or television challenge.

It's another chance to share my story in America, from 23 years of military service to survival television and building my own bushcraft company, South West Survival, in Devon. I'll share a link to the episode when it's released.

Bushcraft classes and a lot of food

It wasn't all sitting around talking about television. I got to take part in bushcraft classes and watch people demonstrate their skills and approaches to teaching.

That's something I've always believed in: no matter how much experience you've got, you can still learn. Sometimes it's a different method; sometimes it's simply a better way of explaining a skill to somebody who has never tried it before.

And the food! After the amount of time I've spent going hungry on survival programmes, I certainly wasn't turning any of it down. There was plenty of food, great company and a proper outdoor atmosphere throughout the gathering.

What the weekend meant to me

This trip wasn't just about meeting recognisable people. It was about being part of a community that loves the same things I do.

From my Army career to running survival courses and filming in difficult environments, I've always enjoyed being around people who know their craft and are willing to share it. Georgia reminded me why.

I've come away with new connections, great memories and plenty of ideas for future podcasts, filming and adventures. I'd love to spend more time with the American survival and bushcraft community.

Thanks to everyone at Georgia Bushcraft

A massive thank you to the Georgia Bushcraft team for putting on the event and making us feel welcome, to Zachary Fowler for hosting the panel, to Hoosier Bushcraft for having me on the podcast, and to everyone who stopped for a chat, shared their knowledge or just had a laugh with us.

I travelled across the Atlantic for a bushcraft weekend and came away with something I'll remember for a long time.

Watch the video and follow my next adventure

Watch my Georgia Bushcraft 2026 YouTube video, and tell me who you would like to see me team up with on a future survival adventure.

You can also watch Highland Reckoning, my Scottish survival series with Jamie Frizzell and Sam Mouzer, or find out more about my TV survival experience.

For survival and bushcraft training in Devon, visit South West Survival.

About Steven Kelly

Steven Kelly, also known as Survival Ste, is a British TV survivalist, former 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery soldier, professional survival instructor, podcast host and founder of South West Survival. His credits include Naked and Afraid, Naked and Afraid: Apocalypse, Naked, Alone and Racing to Get Home and Bear Grylls: Wild Reckoning. For presenting, speaking or media enquiries, visit my speaking and media enquiries page.