Immerse yourself in a lifestyle that draws from the wisdom of ancient cultures. The Primitive Living Courses at BOSS are designed to teach you survival skills that humans have relied on for generations. Whether you're seeking a foundational understanding or a deeper dive into long-term primitive living, these courses provide hands-on learning in the beauty of Southern Utah's wilderness. Each day, you’ll work closely with expert instructors, developing practical skills that allow you to thrive in nature.
Course Phases
Orientation — Welcome to BOSS, introduction to your guides and the course, lunch, gear check, and last-minute gear purchases/swaps. Pack your gear to prepare for departure.
Basecamp — Hike to a designated high-altitude basecamp located in the Dixie National Forest. Here you will learn the fundamentals of wilderness camping as well as primitive skills, including friction fire, cooking techniques, and shelter building.
Graduation — You've earned it.
Skills covered
What you'll learn
- Friction Fire — Practice making a fire using a bow drill.
- Primitive Cooking Techniques — Learn how to prepare food using stone-age methods, without modern utensils.
- Primitive Shelters — Build and maintain shelters using natural materials found in the wild.
- Foraging — Learn to identify and gather edible plants that are safe and nutritious.
- Stone Tool Construction & Use — Craft and use stone-age tools.
- Primitive Traps — Construct and use small game traps, including small animal processing.
- Campsite Selection & Shelter Building — Learn to choose optimal locations and construct effective shelters.
- Knife Use & Safety — Safely use knives for multiple survival tasks.
- Wilderness Hygiene — Establish healthy hygiene habits in remote settings, and learn to use natural materials instead of toilet paper.
- Water Location & Purification — Learn methods for finding and purifying water.
- Fire Construction — Learn to build and manage a fire in the wilderness safely and effectively.
- Basic Plant Identification — Identify useful plants in the wilderness.
- Natural Carrying Vessels — Craft natural vessels for carrying supplies and water.
- Trapping & Fishing — Build advanced traps and learn techniques for catching fish.
- Low-Impact Wilderness Travel — Practice BOSS’s low-impact travel techniques to navigate through the landscape while minimizing your environmental footprint.
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Prerequisites
• While no prior survival experience is required, a readiness to fully engage with the challenges of living primitively is essential. • All applicants must complete a physical examination and receive physician approval before the course begins. • Students must be 18 years or older. • Be prepared for some physical exertion, including hiking and tasks that require stamina and focus.
Newsletter
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