About
the Course
For those interested in
studying traditional wilderness skills without the physical challenges of
our Field Courses, BOSS has created the Primitive Living Skills
Course in two lengths: 7 and 14-days.
Primitive Living Skills provides a solid foundation in the basic traditional survival skills, from fire to shelters to tools. Instruction is intense and hands-on, so be prepared to learn by doing. At the end of the course, each student will have their own set of tools to take home with them.
The Primitive Living Skills Courses are designed to teach our students a wide variety of basic traditional skills and techniques. Both courses are open to people of all skill levels and can be the perfect place to begin learning wilderness skills with BOSS.
Course
Content
Primitive Living Skills will provide
you with a solid foundation in basic traditional skills. Course content can
vary with student needs, environmental concerns and material availability,
but the typical course follows this schedule:
|
|
Subtopic / Lessons |
|
Sunday |
PM
- Orientation, Transport to and establish camp |
|
Monday |
AM
- Priorities of Survival PM - Thermodynamics: Dressing appropriately for the wilderness, Sleeping warmly, Campsite selection |
|
Tuesday |
AM
- Thermodynamics: External heat sources |
|
Wednesday |
AM
- Friction Fires: Review & more
learning. PM - Shelter: Single person shelters: tarps, lean-to's, lodges |
|
Thursday |
AM
- Water: Finding & Purifying, Conserving & Containing PM - Food: Edible & Medicinal plants |
|
Friday |
AM
- Hunting: Trapping, Tracking & Other Options |
|
Saturday |
AM
- Lithics: Turning rocks into knives PM - Review of Week 1 |
|
Week
Two |
The second week of Primitive Living Skills will begin with a Solo Phase. Placed in your own solo site, you will put your skills to the test and enjoy some solitude. Once Solo ends students return to the basecamp and build upon the skills covered during Week One. The second week will culminate in a Group Expedition Phase. Students will use the tools, gear and foods prepared to travel to a specific destination. |
About
BOSS
Since 1968, BOSS Courses
have set the standard for low-technology camping and desert hiking techniques,
where instruction
is conducted without the intrusion of modern technology in environments that
allow course content to be experienced first-hand. Our commitment to quality
and to our core philosophies has earned BOSS its reputation as the
survival school to go to when you want to learn from the best in the industry.
The
Course Location
Primitive Skills Courses
are taught in two possible settings: the Boulder Mountain base camp and the
desert valley base camp in Boulder, Utah. Both locations provide our students
with comfortable, natural shelters (wickiups, caves, etc.), free-flowing
streams and spectacular scenery. Instruction is focused in the base camp
areas, but some travel may be necessary to acquire materials or information
not immediately available. Students should plan on bringing hiking boots
suitable for day trips that may take us in water and over rocks. Be advised:
Our base camps are simple teaching areas in pristine environments -- without
electricity, telephones and developed buildings.
Learning
by Doing & Personalized Instruction
At BOSS, we strongly believe in learning by doing. While at times, instruction
will be done in lecture format, it will be done in the field where students
can see what they are learning and can practice their skills in a natural
environment. At the completion of the course, each student will have in their
possession a selection of tools and materials which will allow them to practice
even after a course, perfect their skills, and progress to the next level.
All BOSS Skills Course enrollments are carefully monitored to provide each
session with a student-teacher ratio conducive to hands-on instruction. Each
student is guaranteed personalized instruction and guidance to ensure that
he or she completes the course with the necessary knowledge and materials
needed.
Health
& Safety
BOSS
requires that all Primitive Living Skills course applicants undergo
a complete physical examination and receive their physician's approval in writing
prior to final acceptance on the course.
Please keep in mind, despite your physician's approval and BOSS's acceptance of you on the course, there are no guarantees. Health and participation risks (inherent and otherwise) remain. Ultimately it is up to you and your physician to determine if this BOSS course is an appropriate choice.
Age
On BOSS Field Courses, the minimum age is 18. On Skills Courses, the minimum
age is 13 as long as participants under 18 come with a parent or guardian
for the course. The key for Skills Courses is a student’s maturity and
interest in learning in a skills-intensive environment, so please ensure that
any children you are bringing with you are 100% commited to making the most
of their time with us.
Food
& Diet
Skills course meals typically include pastas, stews, soups, etc. prepared
with fresh vegetables and whole grains. The biggest meals of the day are breakfast
and dinner, with a light lunch available for those who want one. You may,
of course, bring any extra food with you for the course. Because refrigeration
is not available at our base camps, meats are not served very often. Food
preparation will be a joint effort of the students and the staff to ensure
that everyone is well fed and able to learn as much as possible. Students
with special concerns or dietary restrictions should contact our office for
additional information.
2007 Dates & Prices
| 7-Day Primitive Living Skills | E-65 E-66 |
June
3 - 9, 2007 July 15 - 21 |
Utah | $1265 |
| 14-Day Primitive Living Skills | G-67 |
August 5 - 18 | Utah | $1865 |
Course dates and prices are subject to change. Space is limited on each course, and registrations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Please go to the Registration page for more information.
