How to Register

Since 1968, the Boulder Outdoor Survival School —- known to most simply as BOSS — has delivered life-changing, wilderness-based experiences to adventurous people all over the world. "Know more, carry less" is one of our core philosophies and at BOSS, students are taught how indigenous cultures around the world could often survive and even thrive without all the modern equipment people today feel is necessary. As a result of their time on the trail with us, people gain competency in the wilderness and confidence in themselves.

To help you choose which BOSS course is right for you, below you'll find a brief summary of each course type. When you've found one that interests you, click on the appropriate link for more detailed information.

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.

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.

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.

When you're known for being "the toughest survival school in the country," people sometimes wonder what that means. Actually, people usually read that and then go on to something else, something that doesn't sound as intimidating. After all, this is your vacation time, right?

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.

Since 1968, BOSS has operated in one of the most beautiful and remote parts of the USA: the area surrounding the small town of Boulder, Utah. It is here where we begin and end all courses, using the surrounding public lands as our classroom.

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.

At BOSS, we hope to provide you with a wilderness experience that seeks to minimize your exposure to unwanted risks or injuries. However, this does not mean that we can eliminate these risks, for many of them are intrinsic to the types of experiences we offer. Many of the risks you experience on the trail (those related to hunger, thirst, weather, etc.) are, in fact, a critical component of your course. These may even be why you've come to BOSS in the first place.

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.

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).

Before you apply for a course, please read this information about admission, tuition and fees, cancellations, refunds, transfers and other policies.