FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lifesong Wilderness Adventures?
Lifesong Wilderness Adventures is a nature-based adventure company specializing in the instruction of outdoor survival, nature awareness, and bushcraft skills. Nature is diverse and so are we. We welcome all good-hearted people interested in learning wilderness survival, and outdoor self-reliance skills.
What are the Adult Camps?
Adult Camps are multiday and overnight, for ages 18 and older. See camp of choice for details. Survival skills and techniques are abundant and there is no fast track to acquiring them.
Adult Camp Pages
Dirt Time
If you are willing to put in the time and effort it takes to empower yourself, by learning how to act safely and efficiently outdoors, the results of our survival training will amaze you. You will not walk away empty-handed, instead, you will be filled with powerful knowledge and expertise to use for a lifetime.
Courses are diverse and provide ample information to help you start and finish a well-rounded education in wilderness survival skills. Fortify yourself before adventuring into the unknown with the essential survival skills of shelter, water, fire, and food.
What experience or condition do I have to be in to attend camp?
Most camps do not need physical conditioning. The exception is THE EDGE. However, registering early will give you plenty of time to prepare.
Camp Lengths
See the Camp page of choice for the duration.
What is the Weekend Wilderness Survival School?
Weekend School is designed for people and groups unable to attend a week-long or longer course. The Weekend Survival School ranges from 1, 2, or 3 days, depending upon the program offered. Check our Calendar of Events as more courses become available.
The minimum age to attend is 16, with parental consent, unless otherwise stated on the course page.
- California Weekend Survival School - 3 days survival training - see course schedule
- Oregon Survival School 1, and 2 days - offering a variety of survival courses - see course description
Teen Adventure Camps
What are the Teen Adventure Camps?
- Two-Week Teen Camp - coed, ages 14 - 17
All Teen camps require a medical release form.
Location and Directions
We operate out of privately owned locations in central Oregon.
What will the weather be like?
We recommend NOAA's National Weather for up-to-date localized weather.
Booking your flight
Oregon Camps by air: we do offer a shuttle service for both Adult & Teen Survival Training to and from the Eugene International Airport (airport code EUG) Please reserve your flight to arrive at EUG no later than noon. Departing flights, no earlier than 3:00 PM.
If you plan to arrive by bus or air please e-mail us.
What do I need to bring to camp?
An itemized camp list identifying clothing, equipment, and personal items specific to each camp is included in your registration packet which is sent immediately upon verification of registration.
There is plenty of time to obtain any items you may not already possess at a minimal cost. The items listed are part of most households, toiletries, clothing, eating utensils, etc. We encourage the use of your local thrift store for any items you may not have.
Required Gear
A tent, sleeping bag, and pad are required for all camps unless otherwise stated. Rental is available for tent and sleeping pad for $50.
Carving knives are available to rent at camp. Knives for both two-week Teen Summer Adventure Camps are included. Do not send a knife to camp with your teen.
Where can I find recommended clothing and equipment?
The links below provide additional options for clothing and equipment. Even though we have recommended clothing and equipment requirements, students are not required to use suggested brands. The brands listed are based on personal use and experience.
Wool clothing is recommended for Winter Camp and THE EDGE. It is our goal to keep items at a minimum and easily accessible. For some living in sunnier climates, wool items can be a challenge to find thus the list provided. We encourage the use of thrift stores for any items you may not already have.
Gear and Links
The following brands are in alphabetical order and do not reflect preference and are suggestions only, not requirements:
Camp Knives
The Mora#11827: The Companion MG Stainless or Carbon are both great carving knives for light duty. Can't beat the price.
Ragweed Forge is back. They carry Mora knives and many other fine knives.
Outdoor Gear
Clothing: CampMor, Columbia, Marmot, Mountain Hardware, Patagonia, Pendleton, REI, Smartwool, Under Armour, Wigwam, Woolrich
Footwear: Keen, Merrell, Nevados (we recommend Nevados for overall comfort, fit, and low-cost; however, only consider them for minimal use) New Balance, North Face, and Teva. Sorels' are good, insulated boots.
Gear: Coleman, Gregory, Jansport, Kelty, Marmot, Ozark, and Wenzl, etc.
Altrec
Militarysupplyhouse.comsitemap.htm - copy and paste this link into your browser
Kamik Boots - winter snow & rain boots
REI
Sierra Trading Post
Sorel Boots - Rain & Snow boots
The following links are new to us and we have never tried them:
In addition, it is a good idea to check out gear and sleeping bag reviews. here are a couple of reviewers we have found useful:
When do camps start and end?
Please see the course page of interest for specific dates & times.
Who are the Instructors?
The head instructor for all camps is founder and director Mark J. Wienert. Lifesong Staff – student volunteers picked for their exceptional leadership qualities.
Will the experience meet my expectations?
We urge each student to attend our courses with both an open and curious mind. And bring with you the old Sage's adage of an empty cup. If your cup of knowledge is already full then LWA will not be a good fit for you.
If, however, you want to learn challenging survival skills and techniques both modern and ancient, and you want to do so in an atmosphere of relaxed encouragement with an expert instructor, then the answer is, Yes!
What Lifesong Wilderness Adventures is not
We are not a boot camp, or religious organization, or a therapy camp. We are a nature-based adventure company specializing in outdoor survival, nature awareness, and bushcraft skills. Nature is diverse and so are we. We welcome people interested in learning wilderness survival and self-reliance.
Additional Links
