Begin your training in basic, practical, and useful survival skills over the span of a weekend. Weekend Survival School California provides outstanding nature awareness and survival training.
Weekend Survival School California
Dates: see survival skills weekend OR. For 2024
Where:
Tuition:
Eligible Students: Adults (Teens 16 + may attend with parental consent.)
Develop Essential Survival Skills
Learning survival skills is essential if you spend any time in nature. Don't be a victim because you weren't prepared or trained correctly. We help you build a strong foundation in the skills needed to recreate in the outdoors safely.
Camping gear
Having good functioning camping gear is important for a comfortable overnight experience. The last thing you want when your 5- miles out from the trailhead is equipment failure. So, choosing the right gear for your activity and knowledge to use it is important.
Survival gear
Did you know that your camping gear is also your survival gear? The gear you take with you is the gear that protects you from cold to extreme heat. The gear you choose, from head to toe, will have a big effect on your camping experience.
Knowledge and experience
But what is even more important than gear, is knowledge and experience. The more time you spend outdoors the more knowledge and experience you gain.
Leave no trace
Applying leave no trace principles to your camping experience makes for a much better time on the trail. Whether you're backpacking or car camping leave no trace reduces the chances of having negative experiences with bears and rodents.
Feeding squirrels and bears is a no no, and habituates animals to people. Keep our wildlife healthy and wild by cleaning up your camp.
Pack it in, pack it out!
Weekend Survival School California
Survival training bushcraft, and woodcraft skills dramatically enhance your outdoor experience.
Curriculum
The intro course includes
- mind preparedness
- staying found concepts
- basic emergency fire craft
- shelter - clothing
- water - hydration - filtering
- shelter - location
- setting up a tent - tarp - knots
- primitive emergency shelter options
- camp knives – safety and technique
- alternative lightweight nutritional foods for backpacking
- using a backpacking stove
- basic camp cooking
- intro map reading
- using a compass
- human and wildlife interaction
- backcountry sanitation
- leave no trace concepts
Testimonials weekend Survival school California
"Mark strikes the perfect balance between teaching you from his own vast experience and giving participants the opportunity to learn from their own experiences at camp. I look forward to learning a lot more from him." ~Carlos S.
"Thanks again Mark for the great time. Beautiful setting, excellent instruction, and practical application. An all-around amazing experience. See you again." ~Tim B.
"Thank you for a GREAT weekend and a wonderful learning experience! See you next year for a week-long trip and more learning!" ~Robert La R.
Learning wild edible and medicinal plants
As a group, we do several nature walks in the area for animal and wild plant identification. Course time will be held at campsite and surrounding area for lectures and practicing survival skills.
backpack and gear
Bring a backpack if you have one. If you don't, you can look at the backpacks other students bring. And hear the pros and cons on what folks like about their packs.
Feel free to bring any gear you would like to practice with during camp. Such as backpack stove and water filter.
Here is our recommended gear list for the Weekend School Gear List
Location
More Info
- Eligible Students: adults, (Teens 16 +, may attend with parental consent.)
- Class Limit: 12
- Requirements:
- Duration: Friday afternoon through noon Sunday
- Schedule: arrive between 4PM & 5 PM Friday – ends on Sunday at 11:00 AM
- Location:
- Accommodations: campsite and vehicle parking fee, included
- Meals: after receiving your registration payment we will email meal suggestions for breakfast lunch and dinner items
- Leave No Trace camping: pack it in and pack it out
- Equipment: a registration packet will be supplied after enrollment
- Transport: - shuttle not available.
- School Instructors and Staff: Mark Wienert Owner – founder and head instructor;– Lifesong volunteers.
