About the Course

“Before men ever dreamed of shelter, campfires were their homes.  Here they gathered and made their first plans for communal living, for tribal hunts and raids.  Here for centuries they dreamed vague dreams and became slowly aware of the first faint glimmerings and nebulous urges that eventually were to widen the gulf between them and the primitive darkness from which they sprang.”

- Sigurd Olson, American author & conservationist

Humans have been called the animal that uses fire.  Like music, art, and spirituality, the mastery of fire and its associated technologies defines mankind.  While it may be possible for a person in today’s technological, comfort-driven society to live a lifetime without ever needing to kindle a flame from the materials nature provides us, fire is no less present in our lives than when it was our only source of heat, light, and protection in the darkness of night.  BOSS's Magic of Fire course explores the culture of fire through various methods of making and using it, from primitive to modern. 

The course will operate in both desert and mountain environments in order to provide the greatest opportunity of exploring the resources of different ecosystems. Our goal: each student will be proficient in making, maintaining and using fire in the context of real wilderness living. Fire’s heat will warm our bodies, it’s flame will light our surroundings, it’s crackling will entrance our minds. Beyond the simply practical, we will explore the importance of fire to human culture through discussions of fire myths and science, fire worship and fear, and fire atrocities as well as necessities.

Course Content
On all BOSS Courses, students learn the basics of making, maintaining and using fire. The Magic of Fire course allows students to take their fire making skills to a higher level and to gain an understanding of the nuances of fire. The course combines the low-tech camping methods BOSS is known for with the time and opportunity to focus intensely on one of the most basic skills of survival.

Skills taught on the Magic of Fire Course vary with each group's needs and desires. However, we hope to teach everyone the basic and advanced skills of fire-making, maintenance and use so that each person can comfortably perform these skills and demonstrate them to others after the course is completed. We will also be teaching the basic primitive skills needed to be comfortable in any wilderness environment: shelter construction, water procurement and purification, campsite selection and other basic skills taught on our Field Courses will be covered.

Magic of Fire skills will focus on:

• Fire production by friction, percussion, and modern gear.
• Fire use for cooking, lighting, and signaling.
• Fire dependent shelters for warmth and survival.
• Fire types and fuels.
• Fire safety for people and natural resources.

Phase	Length	Description
Orientation	1/2 day	Introductions, skills & safety instruction, equipment review and an opportunity to purchase needed gear.
Desert Basecamp	2 days	Learn some of hte BOSS basics: shelter construction, water location, and knife use & safety. However, the majority of the time will be focused on the world of fire - making, maintaining and using fires.
Mountain Basecamp	3 days	A new eco-system means different fire challenges. Expand and test your new knowledge in a totally different environment - the aspen and pine meadows of Boulder Mountain. Learn new materials and new uses of fire.
Solo	Overnight	Solo is a time to test your newly learned skills. Are you able to keep yourself warm and comfortable? Practice your skills on your own and re-connect with the group in the morning to review and address questions.
Celebration / Graduation		One last challenge and then a celebratory graduation ceremony and yet another use of fire.

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.

Less is More
In line with the BOSS Positive Impact Camping philosophy, the Desert Hunter Gatherer Course has a decided emphasis on using only renewable, natural resources. Tents, sleeping bags, stoves, backpacks and many other "required" pieces of outdoor equipment are replaced with their low-tech counterparts: a poncho, a blanket, a campfire. The motto here is "Know more, Carry less" and we'll explore how traditional cultures lived comfortably without all the modern gadgets like watches, radios, cellphones,etc (which are not allowed). Come learn how back-country travel can be a less intrusive and more harmonious experience.

Course Location
This course will begin at a desert basecamp located near Boulder, Utah that may have an elevation between 4,000 to 6,500 feet.  The course will then relocate to a nearby Boulder Mountain basecamp that may have an elevation between 8,500 to 10,000 feet

Health & Safety
BOSS requires that all Explorer 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
The average age of BOSS students is in the mid-30's.The key to Explorer Courses is a student's maturity. The minimum age for BOSS courses is 18 years.

Food & Diet
Students are provided with BOSS food packs which consist of basic staples such as lentils, rice, millet, carrots, potatoes, onions, oatmeal, 7-grain, flour, powdered milk, etc.  The food on the Magic of Fire Course is supplemented to include other foods that provide unique learning opportunities.  The food packs will provide a student with approximately 2000 calories per day — enough to keep you healthy and active for the duration of the course. Students who wish to supplement their diet with wild edibles may do so in a responsible manner. Students with allergies or dietary restrictions should contact our office for additional information.

2008 Dates & Prices

The Magic of Fire

MF-1

June 1 - 7, 2008

Utah

$1265

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.