You’ve read about it, thought about it, and now you’re ready for THE EDGE challenge at Lifesong Wilderness Adventures Knife-Only adventure camp. Let’s hear in their own words what students have to say in the following reviews of their challenging experiences at THE EDGE.
Extreme Survival Camp Reviews
I have been running this signature challenge course since 2006, and true to its nature, it has become a rewarding experience for most. The term, Extreme Challenge, refers to the type of training that prepares you. It's not about extreme risk. In fact, the camp prepares you to survive in the backcountry of the wilderness. Knife-Only Training
Reflections of THE EDGE Review
The Will to Live - Part 1. Skills
by - Joshua Poole
“This extreme, intense challenge is what drew me to the wet and wild world of southern Oregon. Some may be interested in survival skills for chaotic end of the world scenarios, and others prefer to study the materials to aid in outdoors emergency situations. I’m hoping I never have to deal with either but being able to make a fire, a shelter, a trap for food, just seem like good skills to acquire….” The Will to Live.
Lesser Man vs. Wild Review
by - Kevin Max. Editor of the 1859 Oregon Magazine.
"What mattered for the moment was that I had been kidnapped by a benevolent faction of outdoor survivalists, who had sharp knives and more knowledge about how to get along in wilderness than I ever would"....Lesser Man vs Wild
Knife-Only Training
THE EDGE is the finale of our Circle Series of survival training. The first two camps in the Circle Series prepare you for this final advanced level of survival training. By starting with the basic skills of wilderness survival, you will advance through our camps to confidently apply your knowledge, skills, and mindset to survive and thrive using only a knife.
With this solid training, you are ready for this Knife-Only adventure. You begin with First Circle Camp, then Advanced Survival Training, which is the Second Circle. Then the finale is graduation from THE EDGE!
THE EDGE Challenge
"Take the challenge and join us in this rigorous, demanding, and empowering six-day survival challenge putting your well-earned mastery of survival knowledge, skills, and experience to work. We will be there to support, guide and strengthen you each step of the way. You can do it! If you are looking to challenge yourself and want a real, 'in your face' adventure, join us for THE EDGE! " ~ Mark Wienert
Go for it! THE EDGE.
Read more reviews in the comments section below.
Dear Mark,
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for another incredible week of the Edge at LWA. The opportunity to comeback this time with my son Kevin and to share this journey has provided us a lifetime of memories. The program you have designed captures the essence of survival trainings physicality as well as mental toughness. These tools complemented by your advanced training leaves the survivalist a profound sense of spiritual appreciation for nature and the obstacles we must overcome.
Sincerely
Dean
Dr Dean Glasser
Prof. Columbia University Dental School
LI Scout Baltimore Orioles
Major League Baseball
Now that some time has passed (about a year and half) since I completed the Edge, I have had plenty of time to reflect on that week. I have really grown to appreciate the experience and how liberating the adventure can be. How often do you get the chance to strip all worldly possessions away and live life on your terms using just a knife, your hands, and your mind. It is truly poetic when you think about it. The bear shit was not poetic but hey, shit happens.
The hosts Mark and Celeste are a blessing to this earth and wonderful company. They really added to the whole experience and they truly care (they really do).
Well, if you want an experience that you will tell your grandchildren about that, then this if for you. Plus you’ll grow some hair on your chest. Good luck!
I experienced The Edge a month ago, and I still remember everything as if it had happened last night. Every time I walk by a cedar tree and catch a whiff of the wood, I am immediately reminded of my solo night that I spent in a shelter made of cedar bark. I realize that after the Camp I became more aware of the surroundings and began to notice things around me that I failed to see before.
The first part of the Camp was very educational and also great fun. We practiced starting a fire, learned how to build a shelter, how to find water and food, and everything else we needed to make our solo night more comfortable. In the meantime, along with the food for thought, we were fed a very nutritious and healthful diet consisting of brown rice, steamed veggies, and loads of fruit and nuts. If you don’t mind me sharing, by the end of the Camp whatever left my body was light brown in color and virtually odorless. I felt amazingly light on my feet and full of energy. Our survival meals were also memorable. Where else could I have learnt that a lizard tastes exactly like chicken? I only wished the little critter had had more meat on its bones!
Of course my favorite part of the Camp was the solo night. Let me tell you, there is a huge difference between sleeping in a tent and spending a night lying on a pile of pine needles two feet away from the fire listening to a bear walking by. You see everything around you (well, as much as the night time allows you), you smell everything, you feel the breeze – all of your senses are sharpened by the Edge! By the end, I felt empowered and confident of my ability to survive in the wilderness. But boy, did I appreciate every ounce of the four huge Angus beef burgers that I devoured at the feast following our solo night! I am very grateful to Mark and Celeste for everything, and I can’t wait to join them for another adventure!
The Edge taught me the feeling of survival.
I’ve been a fan of Man vs Wild since the first season. I probably can recall every one of Bear’s techniques to surviving in the wild. Before arriving at the Edge camp I felt like I’d be ahead of the game because of my TV survival “knowledge”. I quickly learned that there is one important thing that Man vs Wild couldn’t teach me……..the feeling of survival.
“Dirt Time” is the best teacher. Lifesong Adventures gives you just that, an opportunity to experience the feeling of survival. Anyone interested in the personal challange of wilderness survival should experience this camp. The feeling of empowerment and accomplishment is amazing.
I can honestly say, I was brought to the edge and survived.
Almost forgot, I want to send out a big THANK YOU to Sog Knives and Craghoppers! YOU GUYS ROCK!
Wow, what an unbelievable experience! “The Edge” was everything I expected and more. It was truly an empowering experience personally knowing that I could survive in the wild if I was put in that situation. But learning the survival skills was not the best part in my opinion, it was getting the chance to hang out with Mark, Celeste, Frank, Cherri and of course George that was the most memorable to me.
Mark and Celeste are wonderful people who truly care about each and every one of the campers. Just watching them interact with Nature was an eye opening experience. There is no doubt they make this world a better place to live and for generations to come.
My fellow Edge classmates Frank, Sheri, and George were awesome. They came from all walks of life and although each had many accomplishments under their belts, they too were humbled by the experience I believe. Thanks guys for making this trip such an memorable one!
If you are looking for a challenge that you will remember for the rest of your days, then I would recommend “The Edge.”
Lifesong Wilderness Adventures held its first “THE EDGE” camp in 2006. Since then we have had many adventuresome folks attend this exciting and educational extreme survival camp. Our clients who attend this camp are truly heroic. Not for the faint of heart or the armchair adventurer, THE EDGE, is truly a challenge they will draw strength from for the rest of their days.
Ryan R. of Virginia was the first place essay winner and will receive a pair of awesome CRAGHOPPER trousers from their new Bear Grylls gear line. Very cool. Thanks CRAGHOPPERS!
Ryan also received a top of the line survival knife, SOGS Seal PUP Elite with knife sheath. If thats not enough, SOG Knives awarded Ryan one of their awesome multi tools with leather case as well. Thanks SOG!
SOG knives was very generous with second place and third place winners as well. Aaron our second place essay winner received a SOG Seal PUP Elite. Aaron could not attend the Edge camp because of medical reasons, but we send him our best and hope to see him next year at camp.
A good friend of ours, Paladin, who was to join us as a volunteer instructor for the Edge, was detoured in Kansas City helping victims of the tornadoes who ravaged that area recently. But was still able to pitch in a Cold Steel UWK survival knife for the second place winner. Thanks Paladin! And congratulations Aaron.
We had a tie for third place with Sheri and Mathew. Mathew could not attend, but we hope to see him next season.
For Sheri our third place essay winner, SOGS generous gift of their Flash II folder knife, (One of my favorite SOG folding knives.) was a great surprise for her. Thanks again SOG!
Congratulations to our winners and many thanks to CRAGHOPPERS and SOG knives.