First Circle Wilderness Survival Camp
Nature teaches us that in order to survive; we must have a working knowledge of specific skills to meet our basic needs for survival. In developing this level of skill, you must first build a strong foundation using the fundamentals of wilderness survival in a relaxed and engaging atmosphere.
You start the process by building your foundation in First Circle Camp, and progressively adding more advanced concepts and skills in the Second, Third and Fourth Survival Camp series. It is during this process you begin to grasp a deeper sense of what the wilderness offers and with it, a meaningful connection to nature.
“The wilderness is too big to fight. Yet for those of us who will take advantage of what it freely offers, nature will furnish every necessity.” Bradford Angier
First Circle encompasses six days of outdoor survival skills training. The training includes the “sacred four” of survival, shelter, water, fire, and food. All outdoor experts consider these your immediate needs in a survival scenario and the way to help yourself.
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Shelter ~ To become competent and self-reliant in survival, knowledge, and application of basic shelter concepts is fundamental in maintaining comfort and health. These basics include appropriate clothing and proper layering of clothing. What type of shelter you should carry with you or construct depending on the terrain and weather. Knowing where to take refuge when setting up a tent or building a survival shelter, is just as important as the shelter itse
1. Insulation
2. Natural Shelter
3. “Body Heated” Shelter
4. Fire and Shelter
“I, for one, have changed in more ways than I know at this point. I came to Lifesong Wilderness Adventures to overcome fear of the outdoors and to learn the skills necessary to survive in any outdoor situation. I learned many, many of these skills. I have learned how to be one with nature….” Jason B.
- Water ~How important do you think water is? Consider this, adult men are 60% water, and adult women are 55% water, continue breaking that down to 85% of your brain, 80% of your blood, and 70% of your muscle is water. Would you say, “Very important?”
In most cases today, water needs filtering or treated prior to drinking. Learn how before you head for the outdoors. Studying indicator plants, which lead to and provide water, is one way, solar technique is another.
1. Filtering & Treating
2. Indicator Plants
3. Solar
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Fire ~ Making fire is an art, especially under wet and stormy conditions. Knowing fire essentials like the various qualities of wood; appropriate size of wood for your fire; where to harvest wood; what makes good tinder; and, how to construct fire, give you “the most bang for your buck”. These are vital survival skills you need to know.
Here is your chance to be one of the select few who can create friction fire with no matches or start a fire with just one match.
1. Fire Safety
2. Warming, Cooking & Signal Fire
3. Fire by Friction
4. One match Fire
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Food ~ Your chance of finding a hot meal waiting under a tree is rare in a survival event. However, the inner bark of that tree can provide you with sustainable protein. In addition, an insect or larvae may be close by for a high protein snack!
In the plant world, there are four mainstays found in most locales in North America year round. You shall harvest, prepare, and cook each plant. Additionally, local and universal medicinal plant preparation and use is covered. Knowing what is available and where to find it, is always a positive.
1. Plants
2. Insects
3. Small Mammals
4. Seeds & Nuts
Survival Attitude
Survival is an attitude. When you find yourself lost or stranded in a survival scenario, panic is often the first reaction. This is termed the “fight or flight” response based on a real or perceived threat to your well-being. Panic can save your life or kill you depending on how you control it.
- Panic/fight or flight
- Attitude/behavior
I was
impressed by Mark’s ability to bond with the different people that were in our class. I was the youngest in our camp and feel fortunate to have practiced the skills along side my elders. I have great respect for them that despite their age they came to Mark’s class and practiced so diligently while having so much fun.
Joey D.
Survival Awareness
Nature awareness is often a difficult concept to grasp; but you are born knowing it. With the advent of technology, our ability to discern our surroundings becomes more obscure. Technology, as great as it is, also has some severe limitations.
The saying, “It is in your nature”, describes more than just a personality trait.
- Introduction to the “Art of Seeing and Tracking”
- Wildlife behavior, encounters, and habitat
Primitive Tools and Concepts
As much as we would like to avoid the taking of animals for food, it can be imperative to your survival in many situations. Due to federal and state restrictions, we do not hunt animals for food at Lifesong.
You are taught the primitive skills to create and use hunting tools.
- Throwing stick
- Simple snares and cordage for snare strings
- Knife, hand/long axe
- Knife sharpening systems
Wilderness Orientation
It is difficult sometimes, to determine what comes first as in the “chicken or the egg”. What is most important, not getting lost or dealing with being lost? Therefore, we conclude camp with orientation, the ability to stay found. Navigating the wilderness is a challenge without modern technology.
Have more questions about our Circle Camps? Follow this link - Circle Camps.
More Information
For your added convenience, we now offer free shuttle services to and from camp from the Rouge Valley International airport, Dunsmuir train station, with free parking for personal vehicles.
Tent and sleeping pad are provided if you do not have your own, and a camp survival knife is available for your use during camp. Try our knives before purchasing one for camp.
We provide all nutritious and delicious homemade meals created with fresh foods from local farmers, when possible; and, we do our best to accommodate special diet needs you may have.
Leave No Trace Concepts, and First Aid for Common Injuries are addressed throughout all Lifesong camps.
Men, women, novice and experienced adults 18 and older with an adventurer’s heart may participate. No prior physical conditioning is required.
Camps are held in the rugged and picturesque Siskiyou Mountains of northern California, near MT Shasta.
California Dates 2010
May 09 – 14 (Early registration by March 04)
June 27 – July 02 (Early registration by April 27)
August 01 – 06 (Early registration by June 01)
September 12 – 17 (Early registration by July 12)
Discounts: Register 90 days before the first day of camp and receive a 10% discount. Early registration $715.50
Yes, you may pay by personal check, money order, or cashiers check. Mail to 73569 Hwy 101, North Bend, OR 97459. Click Here to read Registration Policies before purchasing camp.
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