We offer simple, whole foods for our students and staff. In line with our Positive Impact philosophy, we purchase locally and organically grown ingredients whenever possible. Most of our courses also offer you training to harvest and eat wild foods, many of which students find genuinely delicious.

Food on Field Courses

On BOSS Field Courses, no food is carried during the first phase of the course. The reason for this is simple: we want you to open your eyes and become aware of your own innate strength and to what’s available to you in the wilderness. After that phase, you’ll be divided into smaller cook groups. Each group is responsible for rationing the food given for that phase of the course, and for cooking together. 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 billy pots 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 values, and our desire to teach people how to do more with less. Additional food is not allowed on Field Courses. 

Food on Skills Courses

On BOSS Skills Courses, meals are typically organized and served at a central base camp 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.

Food on Wilderness Medicine Courses

Each Wilderness Medicine course hosted by BOSS includes the option to have all meals included. We purchase quality ingredients and hire a chef who prepares meals based on their inspiration and the group’s needs and desires. Meals are served family-style (buffet) by our staff and are prepared using the freshest possible ingredients, typically organically or locally grown. 

This can include:

Breakfasts – Organic eggs, whole grain pancakes, organic yogurt, fresh fruit for breakfasts (as well as a variety of teas and coffee).

Lunch – Whole-grain sandwiches, salads, fruit, and other simple but nutritious options

Dinner – Pastas, soups, stews, enchiladas, grilled chicken… basically, something hot and filling, also made from whole-grains, organic vegetables (as much as possible) and whatever seasonal dishes our cooks prepare.

Based on the feedback of past students, we can say that while the food is not the focus of the course, it will certainly be appreciated, as our staff works very hard to prepare your meals so you can focus your energy on the WFR curriculum. Please call our office if you have specific questions regarding diet or food requests. If you wish to supplement your diet with snacks or meals, you can visit some of the local stores and restaurants (cost not included in the tuition).