Learn the Survival Skills That Could Save Your Life
A hands-on extended weekend survival course for hikers, campers, backpackers, foragers, hunters, and outdoor beginners.
If you got lost on your next hike… could you stay alive for 72 hours?
- Search and rescue teams typically locate missing hikers within 72 hours.
What you do in that window determines everything. - This weekend training prepares you for that exact moment—
with the gear you carry… and the skills to survive without it.
The camp was so much fun, and I learned so much!
July 24–26 • Limited to 10 students
Tuition:
- $395 when purchased by check
- $409.79 purchased via PayPal
⭐ Rated 5-stars by students
“Worth every penny.” - Anna Magnuson
If you got lost on your next hike… could you stay alive for 72 hours?
Search and rescue teams typically locate missing hikers within 72 hours. What you do in that window determines everything.
Our extended weekend training prepares you for that exact moment—from the gear you carry… and the knowledge to survive without it.
Survival Skills Weekend (Limited Spaces)
Registration
Date: July 24-26, 2026
Location: McKenzie Bridge, Oregon
Tuition: $395.00 when purchased by check
Or purchase via PayPal using the drop-down menu below. READ: Registration Policies before purchasing. Purchase by CHECK or Buy Now with PayPal.
No experience required to attend
- Real outdoor field training
- Taught by a survival instructor with 30+ years of teaching experience
"I Want to thank my friends and family" ~Caroline Barnes
Before This Weekend
- Hoping you’re prepared
- Relying mostly on gear
- Unsure what you’d do if things go sideways
Train For The Moment It Actually Matters
Built specifically for hikers and backpackers who want to:
- Be prepared
- Make the right decisions under stress
- Survive with your gear...or without it
Confidence in Your Gear
- Know the minimum gear to carry - and why
- Understand how each item functions in a real emergency
Because Gear Fails • Knowledge Doesn't
“Mark is a phenomenal teacher who is exceedingly knowledgeable, and he conveys that knowledge in a way that is hands-on, interesting, tangible, and relevant.”
After This Weekend
- You know exactly what to carry
- You can stay alive without your gear
- You have a plan
If You Got Lost On Your Next Hike...What Would You Do?
- You step off the trail for a moment
- You turn back, and nothing looks familiar
- Your phone has no signal
- The light is fading
- And suddenly, it doesn't feel like you're prepared
Having a backup plan in place before an emergency occurs makes all the difference!
- This weekend is your backup plan to prepare you for that exact situation
Survival Confidence
If your gear fails or left behind...
You'll know how to:
- Locate and treat water
- Build an emergency shelter
- Make do without fire if necessary
- Stay oriented
- Make smart decisions - stay put or hike out
- survive!
Psychology of Survival
- a prepared mind
- positive outlook
- action
Physiology of Survival
- understanding our body needs under stress
- the sympathetic nervous system and how it works
- maintain our body's core temperature
Survival Skills Weekend Curriculum
Fire Craft
- fire safety, cautions
- recommended fire kit
- emergency fire craft
- fire lighting, lays
Emergency Shelter
- shelter - clothing
- shelter - emergency - location
- tent, tarp, and knots
- weather-cold-heat-altitude
Useful Wild Plants
- common useful plants & trees
Knife Craft
- carving
- safety, use, and technique
- sharpening
Wildlife
- human and wildlife interaction
- animal awareness
Water
- hydration
- locating
- treating
Real Skills, Real Confidence
"Safe and comfortable and we learned a TON!"
More Details
Additional Information
- Students: adults and teens 16 and older with parental consent - enrollment maximum ten
- Camp duration: Friday afternoon - Sunday afternoon
- Location: east of Eugene, OR near McKenzie Bridge
- Accommodations: camping included
- Meals not provided. A recommended food and gear list will be provided upon registration.
- Equipment: an email registration packet will be supplied after enrollment
- Parking: included
- Transport: see additional services for airport & bus shuttle
- Registration policies
We reserve the right to add to or omit any of the course topics listed.
Mark J. Wienert Instructor
Mark J. Wienert is a professional survival instructor. Mark has been instructing adults and teenagers since 1994. He specializes in wilderness living, survival, nature awareness, bushcraft, and wildlife tracking. His mission? ‘To help you gain a deeper awareness and enjoyment of the natural world and to dramatically increase your wilderness survival skills.’ ABOUTNo prior experience required
This training is:
- Coed
- First time friendly
- For the beginner
- Or with intermediate experience
How Physically Demanding?
- Moderate to active (Walking, to moderate exertion)
- Active (Full days, uneven, ground)
- Tent (Never slept in a tent? No worries, we will get you started)
- Car camping on site
How's the instructor support
- Highly rated
- Guided
- Professional
What's the learning Pace
- Relaxed
- Balanced
Leave No Trace camping. Pack it in and Pack it out!
Thank you!
Our recommended gear and food list for the Weekend Survival School Gear List
Previous students are welcome and encouraged to volunteer and help support camp. Volunteering is rewarding work! If you wish to be a volunteer for this course, contact Mark with your request.
The weekend class was safe and comfortable and we learned a TON, and had a ton of fun on top of it! It was worth every penny and we'll be watching Lifesong's website for future courses. I would recommend his courses to anyone!
5-Day Survival Camp
