Advanced Survival Expedition

Step into the wilderness with nothing but your wits, your skills, and a minimalist kit. The Advanced Survival Expedition is an exciting challenge for adventurers who want to experience the intensity of self-reliance, the thrill of solo time in nature, and the reality of survival with minimal gear.

This camp draws inspiration from popular survival shows, where every day comes down to food, water, and your ability to adapt. Participants will spend time learning essential survival skills, backcountry camping, and reflecting on what it truly means to be alone in the wild.

Skills Taught

The expedition focuses on core survival skills including:

• Firecraft: Starting and maintaining fire in any conditions
  
• Water Purification: Techniques to make natural water safe to drink
  
• Temporary Shelter: Building functional shelters using minimal materials
  
• Wild Foods & Foraging: Identifying, harvesting, and preparing edible plants
  
• Animal Processing: Ethical harvesting, butchering, and preparing protein sources
  
• Trapping & Hunting Skills: Understanding simple traps and safe hunting methods
  
• Axe & Tool Skills: Safe and effective use of knives, axes, and other essential tools

Minimalist Gear Challenge

Inspired by an iconic survival show, participants will bring just 10 personal items, such as a knife, tarp, or cookware. In addition, campers may bring one extra set of clothes. No backpacks. No tents. No excess gear. The goal is to travel light, think clearly, and embrace the challenge of relying on only the essentials. Teens will sleep on the land each night, using their wool blanket and any natural shelters they create.

Wild Foods and Animal Harvest

Food is the central challenge of any survival experience, and a primary focus will be sourcing nourishment. Together, we’ll:

• Spend a day foraging and preparing wild foods.
  
• Participate in an animal harvest and processing day, learning protein sourcing and preparation from start to finish.
  
• Develop strategies for sustaining ourselves with limited resources, practicing the skills that make the difference between thriving and simply surviving. (Please note: participants will be doing a low calorie diet with an option for fasting)

Solo Experience

The expedition also includes solo time, giving participants a chance to connect with themselves and the land. Solo exercises help teens practice observation, patience, and self-reflection. They’ll experience firsthand what it means to rely on only themselves in the wilderness.

A Truly Unique Expedition

With minimalist gear that challenges participants to prioritize and improvise, they’ll step into real-world survival through hands-on practice and skill building. Solo time encourages self-awareness, resilience, and mindfulness, while full immersion on the land—sleeping outside each night, preparing your own meals, and living close to the elements—creates a powerful sense of connection. Throughout the journey, expert mentors trained in wilderness survival and ethical land use offer guidance and support.

Our Instructional Team Features:

• Experienced Wilderness First Aid and CPR certified professionals
• A 1:9 staff-student ratio
• On-site director and volunteers who offer additional instructor support
• Staff trained as Coyote Mentors, a widely-respected educational philosophy developed at the Wilderness Awareness School
• Compassionate educators who encourage each child’s respect for self, others, and nature