50+ Focused Field Expedition Field Expedition Hunter Gatherer Primitive Skills Wilderness Navigator 14-Day Women's Field Expedition

Step Into the Wilderness. Unlock Your True Potential.

While we regularly have students in their 70s across all our courses, we offer a 50+ focused version of the 14-day Field Expedition for those who want a peer group in a similar stage of life. It preserves the classic BOSS challenge and minimalist travel style, while allowing instructors more flexibility to adjust pacing, mileage, and daily demands based on group needs. This course still moves through rugged terrain with the same gear and skill progression, but includes slightly more intentional recovery time and responsiveness to how the group is doing each day. The goal is the same: deep immersion, real self-reliance, and a transformative wilderness experience — shaped to be fully achievable and meaningful for this stage of life.

The Challenge

Our Field Expeditions immerse you in the wilderness, where every step presents a new challenge. You’ll be pushed physically and mentally as you trek through some of the most beautiful and rugged landscapes in the country.

From our very earliest days as an organization, we have earned the reputation of being the one of the most demanding survival school experiences, but BOSS is not a “tough love” military style survival school. Our instructors are in it with you. You will hike long and difficult miles in the desert heat, and with minimal gear and provisions. You will learn survival and wilderness skills, then rely on them. You will learn about your endurance, your strength, your mental toughness and survival mindset, and -– perhaps most importantly – yourself.

Prerequisites

  • No prior camping or outdoor experience is required.
  • All applicants must complete a Health and Physical Exam packet with a physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner and obtain their signed approval before enrollment.
  • A 1.5-mile, timed run (or equivalent endurance test)
  • Participants must be 18 years or older.
  • A high level of fitness preparation is strongly recommended.

Course Phases

Orientation
Your welcome to BOSS, introduction to your guides and the course, gear check and last minute gear purchases/swaps.

Impact
A fast-moving hike with minimal equipment and information through the wilderness with hot days, cold nights, and no food except what you might find. Learn as you go, including how to stay warm, how to make fire, best practices for wild water, and more.

Group Ex
Continue your journey additional gear (including blanket and poncho), with on-the-trail instruction as our staff teach you the skills you need to navigate comfortably survive in the desert. Take your turn leading the group through unknown terrain.

Survival Camp
(14 & 28 Day Expeditions only) Participate in large animal processing taught in the context of a traditional living camp, using as much of the animal as reasonably possible in the time you have.

Solo
Put your skills to the test and enjoy some solitude in your own site during the stationary solo phase of your course.

Student Expedition
Leave the support system of your instructors behind as you and your group route-find and travel to your specified destination.

Final Challenge
Just when you think it's over, it isn't....

Course Closing Celebration
You've earned it.

Upcoming Courses

28 DAYS

June 14 - July 11, 2026

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7 DAYS

June 28 - July 04, 2026

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More Course Dates

Food

Start with no food, then on 1,500 daily calorie rations. On longer courses, process a large animal for extra resources.

Travel

Hike up to 8–10 miles most days through deserts and high sub-alpine forests. Navigate using land features and maps, with compass skills on longer courses.

Shelter

Learn to stay warm without modern shelter. Use poncho shelters and wool blankets, and explore emergency and debris shelters on longer courses.

Self Development

Build resilience, self-reliance, leadership, and teamwork under stress. Discover there's more in you than you know.

14-Day 50+ "Creaky Knees" Field Expedition

What to expect

A two-week journey deep into the remote backcountry, this expedition allows for deeper engagement with wilderness survival. You’ll learn advanced skills such as compass navigation and large animal processing, all while hiking and living with minimal resources, and extended time with your group and in your solo experience.

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Skills Taught

Everything taught in the 7 Day Field Expedition, and

Large Animal Processing

Learn how to respectfully process a large animal for food and tools.

Backcountry Navigation

Learn to navigate with a map and compass, including concepts like declinations and bearings where appropriate.

Basic Plant Identification

Identify useful plants in the wilderness.

Knife Maintenance

Learn how to keep your knife sharp and safe for long stints in the wilderness.