Here's what our students have to say about BOSS...

"The BOSS Field Course was extremely challenging, both inwardly and outwardly. I wish I had taken it in my 20’s…and again in my 30’s…and again in my 40’s…"

P. Alves, 7-Day Field Course

"The most challenging seven days of my life – with lessons that will last a lifetime. I’ll definitely be back!"

- C. Mercy, 7-Day Field Course

"My two weeks at BOSS made me feel good like after a 6-month vacation. I learned a lot and I am looking to go again! My best time ever! Excellent staff!"

- P. Heitz, Survival Skills I, 7-Day Field Course,
Survival Skills II, and 14-Day Extreme Course

"Not a day has gone by that I haven’t applied the skills learned at BOSS – from cooking to map reading, to my own impression of myself and the world around me. My life is forever changed. Thank you."

- K. Strobel, 28-Day Field Course

"I started my BOSS course with certain expectations. BOSS exceeded all of them."

- B. Puskar, 28-Day Field Course and Boreal Living Skills

"Knowledgeable, available staff. Great locations. If you are over 50, you CAN fit in!"

- G. Yarne, Survival Skills I and II

"Congratulations, BOSS! You exceeded my expectations! The 7-Day Field Course was challenging, inspiring, and educational. Your instructors are top notch, the trip was well planned, and the scenery incredible."

- D. Williams, 7-Day Field Course

"The mosquito bites and the scratches are gone. The beard had been shaved, a few pounds have reappeared, but the feelings I experienced are still growing and getting stronger…I can’t wait to return!"

- R. Baumann, 7-Day Field Course

"In the age of gadgets and brand names, you educate with the adventure of early technology. I experienced the quality of living in nature, rather than merely traveling through it."

- M. Troskey, Outdoor Educator and Survival Skills I

"A fantastic opportunity to redefine your relationship with nature, others, and yourself. BOSS changes your perspective!"

- S. Masciarelli, 7-Day Field Course

"I’ve taken other outdoor and survival courses, but the BOSS courses were the best. The instructors were excellent and really cared about each participant."

- S. O’Conner, Survival Skills I, 7-Day Field Course,
Mountain Navigator and Desert Navigator

"I hold onto some powerful impressions: Sunrises and sunsets, when shadows flow across the desert…the crisp, cool 'midnight hours' of the morning, when the desert is flooded with bright moonlight, a awesome vista of silver and black…and I gained a lasting awareness of that Isla Tiburon is there for all of us."

- T. Burrows, Desert Island Explorer Course

"What's the hardest part about the 28-Day Field Course? Is it the long distances one must hike? The search for water each day? The cold nights and blistering days? No. It’s the daydreaming…the daydreaming about my time in the desert, and about the day I will return to BOSS."

- J. Rux, 28-Day Field Course

"(At BOSS) I felt, for the first time, a connection to 'mother earth.' At night, I was able to finally understand and literally see why our ancestors were in awe of the night sky… I experienced first hand the ancient Sanskrit saying "Tat Tvan Asi" - Thought Art That."

- P. Halter, 7-Day Field Course, 10-Day Desert Navigator

"I had reached a point in my life where I could either sit back and watch life pass me by or reach out, grab the brass ring and hang on for the ride of a lifetime. BOSS was that brass ring and filled me with such an excitement for life that I have since challenged myself in many other ways, and hope to continue to do so for the rest of my life."

- K. Mason, 14-Day Field Course &
Boreal Living Skills

"BOSS provides a rare opportunity where a person can truly learn about him/herself. Once you graduate from BOSS you are a member of the BOSS family."

- B. Walsh, Desert Navigator

"When I finally made fire for the first time, I felt an awesome respect for this mystical fusion of heat and light."

- C. Miller, 28-Day Field Course

"I was hungry, thirsty, and exhausted…but the exhilaration of accomplishing our objectives made it all worth it."

- M. Kennedy,14-Day Field Course

"The course was a life experience that was the hardest thing I have ever done. It was an experience for my spirit like very few things in our modern world – it taught me basic lessons of life and nature. I can’t wait to do more courses with BOSS."

- J. Garey-Sage, 28-Day Field Course, Survival Skills I,
Mountain Navigator and Desert Navigator