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Kevin Estela first fell in love with the outdoors as a child. Entertained by the WWII survival stories his father endured in the jungles of the Philippines, Kevin wanted to learn more. Kevin grew up hiking, kayaking/canoeing, fishing and hunting in New England and spent his free time outside or reading about survival and wilderness skills. Over the years, his childhood interests became stronger and developed into his lifelong passion. Kevin’s passion now includes sharing what he knows with his students, family and friends.
Kevin is the Owner and Head Instructor of Estela Wilderness Education. He brings extensive educational experience to the courses and material he offers. Kevin is a regular contributing author for RECOIL and OFF-GRID Magazine, American Survival Guide, American Frontiersman, Survivor’s Edge and other magazines through Beckett Media, Engaged Media and Athlon Outdoors Media with over 100 published print articles. He is the author of many online articles for various websites and the Book, "101 Skills You Need to Survive in the Woods." He is a sponsored Professional Outdoorsman by numerous product companies and has great working relationships with many others. He is a guest speaker at sportsmen’s shows, speaking engagements and webinars. He is a product tester for sporting goods companies and has a proven name in the business for providing honest feedback from years of experience in the field. Kevin has taught on both the East and West coast and has traveled to every corner of the United States, around the country, and even to the United Kingdom to teach bushcraft and survival skills. In January 2015, Kevin officially signed the Estela Wilderness Education Fund into effect. This fund was created to send underprivileged youth from his hometown to educational programs at the Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut.
Kevin has been featured on the History Channel as an on-air subject matter expert for Expedition Africa: Survival Tips and was the technical adviser for these promotional videos. In December of 2016, Kevin was selected as Co-Host and Presenter for a History Channel Pilot show that was filmed and completed in the Mexico Desert but ultimately was not aired.
Complimenting Kevin’s background in survival and wilderness skills is his martial arts training. Kevin is trained in Sayoc Kali and is an Associate Instructor Level 5 in the Filipino martial arts system. He is also a Black Belt in the Applied Self-Defense program at RiSu Martial Arts and a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Sifu Chris Smith. Kevin continually attends both striking and grappling seminars and trains with respected professionals as frequently as possible. Kevin has also received extensive pistol, carbine, shotgun and precision-scoped rifle firearms training at the SIG Sauer Academy and the Sayoc Tactical Group among others.
Prior to starting EWE in April 2011, Kevin was the Lead Instructor of the Wilderness Learning Center and one of the only survival instructors “Certified” by survival authority Marty Simon. Marty helped hone many of Kevin’s skills and taught him many more based on his years as a military and civilian survival instructor. Kevin and Marty continue to have an ongoing friendship today and Kevin considers Marty a great mentor.
At the WLC, Kevin taught numerous classes and conducted seminars from 2007 to 2012. Kevin taught all aspects of survival psychology, firecraft, water collection, shelter making, signaling, food procurement, cordage, and other elements of the Basic, Advanced and Winter Courses. Kevin spent many years learning about outdoor recreational products while employed at a busy retail sporting goods store during high school and college. While at this store, he received training in rock and ice climbing as well as mountaineering in the White Mountains. He spent summers canoeing and kayaking on the Farmington River in New Hartford, CT and was employed by Mainstream Canoe and Kayak Corporation as a Guide and Instructor. While at Mainstream, Kevin was responsible for trip planning, children’s group outings, developing programs and running operations.
In addition to outdoors education, Kevin has been a Full-time High School History Teacher since 2006. Kevin was also a track and field coach to a championship high school team for many years. Kevin received his B.A. in American Studies from Fairfield University in 2002, his M.A. in American Studies from Trinity College in 2004 and his C.A.S. in Secondary Education from the University of Bridgeport in 2007.
Kevin’s unique blend of survival skills, physicality, and educational experience make him an instructor with much to offer his students.
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