14–DAY FIELD EXPEDITION

14–Day Field Expedition

The 14–Day Field Expedition Course expands on the offerings and challenges in the 7-day Field Course. With two weeks in the field you will have the chance to gain mastery in the basic skills we teach and experience a full immersion in the wilderness while living on the land for an extended period. On this course, you will hike through the spectacular terrain of the Aquarius Plateau, learning and relying on ancestral  skills.

Tuition – $3890
survival camping trips
Hiking in the wilderness

About the 14-Day Expedition

Leaving the high-tech, modern world behind, you will travel the desert canyons and mountain meadows with little more than a knife, a water bottle, a blanket, and a poncho. The physical, mental, and emotional challenges are real. Our goal is to give you a chance to learn and practice ancestral survival skills in context, and face and overcome real challenges. You will learn and travel with up to 11 other students and three instructors.

survival trip

Expedition Highlights

  • Learn traditional and primitive survival skills in context from master instructors.
  • Practice and rely on those skills in a remote setting.
  • Face and overcome serious challenges in the wilderness.
  • Travel through the rugged, remote terrain of the Aquarius Plateau.
  • Experience living as a small group in isolated wilderness for an extended period.
  • Explore advanced primitive and traditional living skills.
outdoor wilderness survival

Know More, Carry Less

In line with the BOSS Positive Impact philosophy, the 14-Day Expedition emphasizes the use of renewable, natural, and local resources. Tents, sleeping bags, stoves, backpacks and many other “required” pieces of outdoor equipment are replaced with their low-tech counterparts: a poncho, a blanket, a campfire, etc. The skills we teach you allow you to travel in comfort without relying on modern gear.

BOSS Challenge

The BOSS 14-Day Field course provides, among other things, a physical and mental test for its students. You will hike long distances over the rugged terrain found in Southern Utah’s mountains and desert canyons, sometimes as much as 15 to 30 miles in one day. You will at times be thirsty, hungry, hot, and cold. Most students leave the course five to ten pounds lighter. We use our combined 50+ years of experience to tailor the challenge to each group. This course is offered in 28- and 7-day long versions, too. Or, for those interested in a less intense, more skills-oriented experience, consider the 14-Day Primitive Living Intensive course.

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Other Courses Available:

wilderness survival training school

Prerequisites

  • No prior camping or outdoor experience is required.
  • BOSS requires that all Field course applicants undergo a complete physical examination and receive their physician’s approval in writing prior to final acceptance on the course.
  • Students are asked to complete a 1.5-mile timed run during course orientation. 
  • Students must be 18 years of age or older.
wilderness survival expeditions

Skills Covered

Skills taught on field courses are directly relevant to the group’s needs in the field, and can vary between courses depending on those needs and the challenges each group encounters in the wilderness. Issues dealing with the effects of physical stresses and extended travel on the human psyche are just as important to the student experience as how to make a fire without matches.

14-day Field Expedition Core Curriculum: 

  • Desert ecology & travel: Gain an in-depth understanding of desert ecosystems and the essential skills for safe and sustainable travel in arid environments.
  • Survival mindset: Develop the psychological resilience and mental fortitude needed to navigate challenging survival situations with confidence.
  • Campsite selection: Master the art of choosing optimal campsite locations for safety, shelter, and access to essential resources. 
  • Shelter construction: Acquire expertise in building effective wilderness shelters using low tech gear and natural materials, ensuring protection from the elements.
  • Fire construction: Learn to ignite fires using primitive methods, honing this vital survival skill.
  • Water location and purification: Explore techniques for locating and purifying water sources, ensuring a safe supply in the wild.
  • Wilderness hygiene: Understand the importance of hygiene in remote settings and acquire practical strategies to maintain cleanliness.
  • Knife use, safety, and maintenance: Master the safe and efficient use of knives, a versatile tool in survival situations.
  • Animal processing (see here for more info): Gain valuable knowledge and hands-on experience in large animal processing  for long-term sustenance.
  • Navigation: Practice backcountry navigation using topographic maps  and a compass.
    wilderness survival experts

    Other topics that may be covered during your 14-Day Field Course

    • Basic plant identification and use: Develop fundamental skills to identify and utilize edible and useful plants found in the wilderness.

    • Primitive traps: Gain hands-on experience in the art of constructing and setting primitive traps. Then learn how to safely process  and cook  small game, a critical skill for sustenance.
    • Cordage: Explore the craft of creating cordage from natural fiber materials, essential for tasks such as shelter construction and trapping.

    Upcoming 14-Day Expeditions

    May 26 to Jun 8
    $3890 – Space Available

    Jul 21 to Aug 3
    $3890 – Space Available

    Aug 11 to Aug 24
    $3890 – Space Available

    Sep 25 to Sep 28
    $3890 – Space Available

    Upcoming 14-Day Field Courses

    May 26 to Jun 8

    $3890 – Space Available

    Apply Now

    Jul 21 to Aug 3

    $3890 – Space Available

    Apply Now

    Aug 11 to Aug 24

    $3890 – Space Available

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    Sep 15 to Sep 28

    $3890 – Limited Space

    Apply Now

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    Learn more about tuition assistance & discounts

    Tuition Assistance Available

    BOSS offers tuition assistance and discounts to qualifying applicants.
    Learn more about BOSS Tuition Assistance.

    Interested in a life-changing challenge?

    BOSS is one of the oldest survival schools on the planet, delivering wilderness survival training to adventurous people since 1968. Our survival instructors are some of the most experienced and competent in the world. The challenges that our BOSS survival training offer aren’t for everyone, but if you’re the right person and it’s the right time for you, we promise adventure, challenge and world-class instruction.

    BOSS
    BOSS™ is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.