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Food at BOSS

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).

Food on Field and Explorer Courses

On BOSS Field Courses, no food is carried during the Impact phase. The reason for this is simple: we want you to open your eyes and become aware of what's available to you in the wilderness. At the end of Impact, however, food packets are given to you and you are divided into smaller cook groups -- usually 3 - 4 people per group. Each group manages its meals and is responsible for rationing the food given for that phase of the course. Ingredients provided each group typically include:

   Breakfast items: oats, powdered milk, sucanat, cinnamon.

   Dinner items: quinoa, lentils, rice, potatoes, carrots, onions, bouillon, whole wheat flour, spices.

When allowed, meals are cooked over small fires using #10 tin cans as cooking vessels. You'll note that there is no lunch on Field Courses, as groups are typically hiking during the day. However, each student is given a personal bag of GORP (raisins & roasted peanuts) to snack on.

Please note that individual rations on a Field Course provide approximately 1500 calories per day. The amount is consistent with BOSS's "eat to live" philosophy for courses that seek to teach people how to do more with less. Additional food is not allowed on Field Courses.

On Explorer Courses, food is similar to the above, but rations are a bit larger. The exception to this is on the Hunter Gatherer courses, where there is no food issued at all for Expedition phases, as students seek to provide for themselves.

Food on Skills Courses

On BOSS Skills Courses, meals are typically organized and served at a central basecamp location by the staff. Meals usually include a hot breakfast, a cold lunch and a hot dinner based on the following options (spread out across the course):

   Breakfasts: Oatmeal, amaranth, fry bread, coffee / tea.

   Lunches: Coldcut sandwiches, peanut butter & jelly (or honey), fresh fruit, tuna, chips and salsa.

   Dinners: Stews, pastas, chicken, soups, roasted vegetables, coffee/tea.

It is the responsibility of the group to maintain a hygienic kitchen area and to assist with certain aspects of food preparation, service and cleanup. More will be discussed during your course.

Food on Training Courses

Training Courses are held on the BOSS property in Boulder, Utah. Meals are prepared by BOSS staff members and served buffet-style near the course teaching area during the day. Meals typically include from among the following:

   Breakfasts: Oatmeal, scrambled eggs, french toast, pancakes, tamales, coffee / tea.

   Lunches: Coldcut sandwiches, peanut butter & jelly (or honey), fresh fruit, tuna, chips and salsa.

   Dinners: Stews, pastas, chicken, soups, roasted vegetables, coffee/tea.

Those with food allergies or concerns about meals should read the FAQ section on this website and contact us with any additional questions.