FAQ
REGISTRATION – PAYMENT POLICY
All camp tuition is due 30 days prior (45 days for Texas camp) to the first day of camp. To confirm and hold a reservation for your camp date and location register as early as possible. Registration now available by installment plan, please contact us, or if you miss the deadline and wish to inquire about camp availability.
Upon receiving confirmation of registration and tuition, we will mail or e-mail you a confirmation packet. The confirmation packet contains forms requiring a legal signature by the participant and/or parent for minor students. We cannot accept an electronic signature so returned forms must be either mailed or scanned and emailed. It is important that registration documentation reach Lifesong prior to attendance in camp.
**Note: Parents of teens please be sure to sign registration forms. Your son/daughter may not attend camp without your signature.
How do I register and pay for a Lifesong Camp using a check?
We are more than happy to accept registration by personal or cashiers check. When we receive your check, we will supply you with a confirmation packet via email or regular mail. Please make check out to Mark Wienert, Jr. and mail to 73569 Hwy 101, North Bend, OR 97459.
How do I register and pay for a Lifesong Camp using a Credit Card?
Go to any camp page and use the Pay Pal button. This is a secure payment through PayPal. You are NOT required to obtain a PayPal account to complete your purchase.
DISCOUNTS
- Early Bird Discount: register for any eligible course by purchasing in full on or before January 1st of each year and take 10% off eligible Adult, Teen, and Weekend Survival School courses towards your next year’s tuition. Example: register before January 01, 2013 for any eligible course for 2013 to earn your 10% discount. (Texas and Oregon survival courses exempt for additional discounts.)
- Exceptions are the Wilderness Immersion Adult Survival Training CA – 28 days and Teen Apprentice 28 Day – Wilderness Survival Training CA are eligible for a $200 discount available upon registration on or before January 01, of each year.
- Returning Students and Lifesong Volunteers – receive 10% off all eligible future courses. Exceptions are the Wilderness Immersion Adult Survival Training CA – 28 days and Teen Apprentice 28 Day – Wilderness Survival Training CA where a $200 discount available upon Early Bird registration on or before January 01.
- Ninety day early registration discount of 5%, (90 days in advance), for applicable camps. In the drop down menu on the Pay Pal button you will find a date with ER for early registration please use this date when qualifying for the 90 day advanced discount.
CANCELLATION – REFUND POLICY
Camp(s) tuition is non-refundable; however, we are willing to apply the tuition for camp(s) one year from the date of registration towards another camp(s), minus a $50 handling fee. The handling fee will then be due 30 days prior to camp attendance the following year and any change in tuition and/or other applicable camp fees. Transfers from one camp to another in the same year without 30 days notice to Lifesong will be assessed a $50 transfer fee and any other applicable costs.
Participants or parents/legal guardians of participants providing false or misleading information forfeit all paid camp tuition and fees for ALL registered camps and participants will be removed from camp and not allowed to return under any circumstances, there are no exceptions. Should Lifesong or its agents discover falsified or misleading information prior to a student’s participation in camp, there will be a $200 handling fee assessed from the registration tuition.
Participants choosing to leave camp early; or, are asked to leave by Mark Wienert, Jr.; Lifesong instructors; and/or, its agents for any reason during participation in a paid registered camp will not be issued or entitled to a refund for any or all paid tuition and/or camp fees. A camp transfer is not allowable.
NO refunds or transfer of tuition fees for Custom Camps.
Mark Wienert, Jr., reserves the right to cancel any camp, at any time, for any reason. Paid registered students affected by a camp cancellation receive a full refund. All course prices are subject to change at any time and without notice.
Lifesong Wilderness Adventures is not responsible for airfare or other transportation costs or fees incurred by a student attending camp or for a canceled camp.
Travel Insurance: We recommend that all participants consider purchasing travel insurance, which will refund your tuition if you choose to, or are forced to leave a course or trip early early. Visit Travelguard.com and InsureMyTrip for travel insurance.
GENERAL QUESTIONS – INFORMATION
What are the Adult Camps?
- First Circle Camp – 6 days First and Second Circle may be taken consecutively see either page for dates.
- Second Circle Camp – 6 days First Circle is a required for attendance in Second Circle.
- THE EDGE – 6 days The Third Circle in the series, but may also be attended separately.
- The Quest -8 days The Fourth and final Circle – a Rites of Passage. *Only for graduates of THE EDGE and or students who have completed the three circle camps.
- Wilderness Immersion Adult Survival Training – 28 days
- A Scouts Path – the shadow people – 6 days
- The Way – 6 days *Recommended for couples
Minimum age for attendance in adult camps is 18.
- Winter Survival Training – 6 days *Minimum age to attend is 16 with parental consent.
- Texas – 4 days Standard and 4 days Advanced survival training may be taken separately or consecutively *Minimum age to attend is 16 with parental consent.
What is the Weekend Wilderness Survival School?
Weekend School is designed for individuals and groups unable to attend a week long or longer Camp and may be 2 or 3 days long dependent upon the course. Check back often as additional courses become available.
- Weekend Wilderness Survival School – 3 days basic survival training
- Wild Weaver’s Weekend – 2 days wild plant based education – edible, medicinal and utilitarian
Minimum age to attend is 16 with parental consent. A great couples camp. Weekend Camps may also be customized for families with children 13 and older.
What are the Teen Summer Adventure CA Camps?
- One and Two week Teen Camp – age 14 – 15
- Two week Teen Camp – age 16 – 18
- 28 day Teen Wilderness Apprentice – age 15 – 19
What is Custom Camp?
For those who want an exclusive experience to share with a close group of friends, family or your own personal camp.
Customizable Camps:
- First Circle
- Second Circle
- THE EDGE
- A Scouts Path
- Weekend Wilderness Survival School *Open to families with children age 13 and older.
- Adventure Tracking – we will set up a personal tracking camp when requested
- Texas – L.O.S.T. Survival Training
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What experience or condition do I have to be in to attend camp?
Most camps do not require experience or physical conditioning with the exceptions listed below:
THE EDGE, The Quest, Wilderness Immersion Adult Survival Training, Teen Wilderness Apprentice, and Two Week Teen Summer Adventure(s) require a medical release form filled out and signed by a licensed, qualified professional health care provider, submitted by provider prior to camp attendance.
Where are Camps located?
Our primary camp locations are in the rugged mountains of northern California near Mt. Shasta. Our Oregon camp is located along the southern Oregon coast, and limited operations in Texas near Austin during the month of March.
What will the weather be like?
California camps are at higher elevations and during all seasons. For this reason, we encourage you to go to NOAA’s National Weather for up to date localized weather. During the summer season, days are generally mild to warm with cool nights.
Oregon camp, expect wet but moderate temperatures during the fall and winter months.
Texas in March around Austin is generally mild and warm with sunny days and cooler nighttime temperatures.
How do I get to camp and when should I arrive?
Driving: Enclosed in your registration packet will be driving directions to or for camp dependent on location. There is a $20 secure parking fee for those attending high camp.
Air: For our northern California Camps the nearest airport is the Rogue Valley International Airport-Medford (MFR). A round trip shuttle fee of $80 assessed for service to and from the airport (MFR) for all camps. Contact us if you plan on flying to camp. All camps begin at 4:00 pm on the first day; you must arrive in Medford no later than 12:00 pm (noon) for pick up at the airport. Camps end at 12:00 pm (noon) and your return flight should be no earlier than 3:00 pm. We suggest you arrive the day before camp and we will pick you up at your hotel/motel to alleviate any possible delays. Other students may be arriving by bus or train and require shuttle service as well.
*There is no shuttle service for Texas Survival Training. Standard Camp begins on Sunday at 11:00 am and ends on Wednesday at 11:00 am. Advanced Standard Camp begins on Wednesday at 11:00 am and ends on Sunday at 11:00 am.
Train: Train services are Amtrak (DUN) to Dunsmuir, CA. with a round trip camp shuttle service available for $55.
Bus: Greyhound Bus services to Weed, CA, shuttle services are free unless otherwise stated.
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What do I need to bring to camp?
An itemized camp list identifying clothing, equipment, and personal items specific to each camp is included in your registration packet which is sent immediately upon verification of registration. There is plenty of time to obtain any items you may not already possess and at minimal cost. The items listed are part of most households, toiletries, clothing, eating utensils, etc. We encourage use of your local thrift store for any items you may not possess.
A tent, sleeping bag, and pad are required for all camps unless otherwise stated. Rental is available for tent and sleeping pad @ $45. *Rentals are not available for Texas Survival Training.
Survival knives are available for purchase. Knives for both two week Teen Summer Adventure Camps are included. Do not send a knife to camp with your teen.
Where can I find recommended clothing and equipment?
The links provided below were accumulated at the behest of students wanting available options for clothing and equipment. Even though Lifesong has some specific clothing and equipment requirements, students are not required to obtain these items from the suggested brands. The brands listed are based on personal use and experience.
Some wool clothing is a requirement for Winter Camp and THE EDGE and you are asked to bring a notebook for notes not a scratch pad. It is our goal to keep items at a minimum and easily accessible. For some living in sunnier climes, wool items can be a challenge thus the list provided. We encourage the use of thrift stores for any items you may not already possess.
The following brands are in alphabetical order and do not reflect preference and are suggestions only, not requirements:
Clothing: CampMor, Columbia, Marmot, Mountain Hardware, Patagonia, Pendleton, REI, Smart Wool, Under Amour, Wigwam, Woolrich
Footwear: Keen, Merrell, Nevados (we recommend Nevados for overall comfort, fit and low cost; however, only consider them for minimal use) New Balance, North Face, and Teva. Sorels’ are good insulated boots.
Gear: Coleman, Gregory, Jansport, Kelty, Marmot, Ozark, and Wenzl, etc.
The following links are new to us and we have never tried them:
In addition, it is a good idea to check out reviews by individuals who have tried these products, here are a couple of reviewers we have found useful:
Are meals included?
For most camps, we provide all meals. Exceptions are Weekend Wilderness Survival School. We provide good, wholesome, organic, and free-range foods when possible. Most meals are vegetarian. (Due to the remoteness of camp, it is difficult storing easily perishable foods.) Nevertheless, we do include meat in our menu when possible. Fresh drinking water is available at all times.
Weekend Wilderness Survival School has a recommended list of food items in the registration packet.
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When do camps commence and end?
First and Second Circle begin on Sunday and end on Friday, 6 days.
Winter Survival Training begins on Sunday and ends on Friday, 6 days
THE EDGE begins on Sunday and ends on Friday, 6 days.
The Quest begins on Sunday and ends on Sunday, 8 days.
The Way begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday, 6 days.
Wilderness Immersion Adult Survival Training begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday, 28 days.
A Scouts Path begins on Sunday and ends on Friday, 6 days.
Weekend Schools 3 day camps begin on Friday and end on Sunday, 2 day camps begin on Saturday and end on Sunday.
Teen Camps one week (7 days) and two weeks (14 days) begin on Sunday and end on Saturday.
Teen Wilderness Summer Apprentice begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday, 28 days.
All camps begin at 4:00 pm PST on the first day of camp and end at 12:00 pm (noon) PST on the last day of camp.
Texas Standard survival training begins on Sunday at 11:00 am CST and ends on Wednesday at 11:00 am CST. Advanced Standard survival training begins on Wednesday at 11:00 am CST and ends on Sunday at 11:00 am CST.
Who are the Instructors?
The head instructor for all camps is the founder and director Mark Wienert Jr. Mark will be with you from start to finish. Lifesong Staff – student volunteers chosen for their leadership qualities. There are additional guest instructors for some camps.
Will the experience meet my expectations?
If you are wanting an exclusive, hands-on, personal adventure, and you want to learn challenging survival skills and techniques both modern and ancient, and you want to do it in an atmosphere of quiet encouragement in exquisitely beautiful mountain terrain with experienced instructors who like to have fun, then the answer is, yes it will.
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How may I obtain photos of my camp experience?
You may copy and use any personal photos of your camp experience found on the web site. Should you desire other photos please contact us to determine what is available and at what cost. All photos are the express property of Lifesong Wilderness Adventures and protected under copyright law.
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What Lifesong Wilderness Adventures is not.
We are not a boot camp, a religious organization, or a therapy camp. We are a nature based adventure company specializing in indigenous survival, nature awareness, and bushcraft skills. Nature is diverse and so are we. We welcome all people interested in learning wilderness survival and self-reliance.
Oregon Fire Making - Standard
