2012 Course Schedule

The Boulder Outdoor Survival School is dedicated to the instruction and preservation of traditional living skills and the development of people through experiences within the natural world.

Since 1968, the BOSS program has delivered life-changing, wilderness-based experiences to adventurous people all over the world. As a result, our alumni have become our best marketers, sharing their experiences and insights with family, friends and, hopefully, future alumni.

BOSS got its start in the late 1960's with a man named Larry Dean Olsen, noted author of Outdoor Survival Skills. In the 40+ years since, the school has gone through a few changes of ownership and a significant amount of growth. The program, however, remains true to its original vision: create a place that teaches primitive skills and helps people grow through their experiences in the natural world.

BOSS is not for everyone. What we are not is just as important as what we are, so please take a minute to read this.

It is your responsibility to help us assess your medical health and your ability to successfully complete a course. Therefore, you must undergo a medical examination and receive approval from your physician in order to take a BOSS course. Any and all medications that you plan to be taking on a course must be stated clearly on your course paperwork and any issues, allergies or concerns you may have should be noted and discussed with us prior to your arrival.

Applying for a course can be done by phone or online. For either, please follow the instructions below. If you have any problems or questions, we can be reached at 800.335.7404 or 303.444.9779. You can also contact us via email using the Contact BOSS page on this site.

BOSS offers a number of ways for people to apply for discounted rates on its courses. For more information on these or to download an application form, please see below.

There's a survival mantra at BOSS that advises people "Eat to live, don't live to eat." In a survival situation, choices for food must be based on caloric (and perhaps psychological) benefit more than taste. However, you'll be happy to know that students on BOSS courses aren't expected to dine on maggots and roadkill (unless they really, really want to).

Weather is. That's about as much as we can tell you. It's not "good" or "bad" - it just is, and we work with it depending on the situation we find ourselves in. As a result, our courses and lesson plans adapt to current conditions, trying to make the most of whatever Mother Nature gives us.

One of the major factors affecting your enjoyment and learning during your participation on a BOSS course will be your degree of physical fitness. We strongly encourage all of our students to arrive in good physical condition and offer the following words of wisdom as you consider how to best prepare for your course.