Begin your training in basic, practical, and useful survival skills in the span of a weekend.
Our Weekend Survival School California provides outstanding survival training. Practical survival skills include learning the most important skills needed for camping and backpacking.
Weekend Survival School California
Folks, were taking the 2019 California season off. Looking forward to more adventures to share in 2020. See you then. See Oregon and Texas pages for Upcoming 2019 courses.
Dates: ~CLOSED
Tuition:
Eligible Students: Adults (Teens 16 + may attend with parental consent.)
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Weekend Survival School California
Developing strong outdoor skills is essential if you spend anytime in nature. My methodology is simple; I train you to survive and have a great time. I don’t want you to be a victim because you weren’t prepared or trained properly.
Camping gear
Having good functioning camping gear is important for a comfortable camping 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 having the knowledge to use it is extremely 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 affect 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.
This is a good thing. When I started camping I was very young and we camped as a family. On a cold night, my father would heat rocks in the fire until they were red hot.
Using a shovel, he would roll the rocks out and wrap them tightly in newspaper for insulation. You can imagine how much newspaper was needed, layers of layers of newspaper. Then he would place the insulated rocks at the bottom of our sleeping bags. Our feet would be warm and toasty even during the coldest of nights.
Disclaimer: I do not recommend this technique unless you have been trained in it. Because, if its done incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and or you could be burned.
Leave no trace
Learning and applying leave no trace principles to your camping experience makes for a much better time on the trail, car camping, or glamping.
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. This is not a good thing. Keep our wildlife healthy and wild by cleaning up your camp.
What do you with your garbage and leftovers? Pack it in, Pack it out!
Weekend Survival School California
Survival training and woodcraft skills dramatically enhance your outdoor experience.
Weekend School curriculum
The intro course includes
- psychology of survival
- staying found concepts
- shelter – clothing and footwear
- water – hydration – filtering
- shelter – location
- setting up a tent – tarp – knots
- emergency shelter options
- camping knives – safety and technique
- emergency fire craft
- lightweight nutritional foods for backpacking
- using a backpacking stove
- intro map reading
- using a compass
- human and wildlife interaction
- backcountry sanitation
- leave no trace concepts
Testimonials
“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.
Nature walks
As a group, we will do several short nature walks in the area for wild plant and animal tracking lectures. The majority of course time will be held at camp for lectures and practising skills.
backpack and camp 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 practise with during camp. Such as backpack stove’s and water filters.
Here is our recommended gear list for the Weekend Survival School California
Location
This extended weekend training is held at Lake Siskiyou Resort just a few miles from Mount Shasta City, in northern California. In 2018 as a SAR Volunteer for Coos County, Oregon Search and Rescue, I attended a SAR Training here. It’s a great spot. And only about 15 minutes off the I-5 corridor. Parking will be close to our group site and plenty of potable water available.
More Info ♦
- Eligible Students: adults (teens ages 14-15, must be accompanied by one adult. Teens 16 +, may attend with parental consent.)
- Class Limit: 12
- Requirements: none
- Duration: Friday afternoon through noon Sunday.
- Schedule: 4PM Friday – ends on Sunday at 12:00 PM (noon)
- Location: northern CA, near Mount Shasta. 1-hour drive south of Medford OR. Four-hour drive north of Sacramento, and about a 5-hour drive from San José and San Francisco, CA.
- Accommodations: on-site tenting
- 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; tent and sleeping pad rentals are available for $30
- Weekend Camp Gear List
- Transport: – shuttle service available.
- School Instructors and Staff: Mark Wienert Owner – founder and head instructor; Staff – Lifesong volunteers.