WILDERNESS SURVIVAL SKILLS

Course Title: Wilderness Survival Skills
Course #: CS 1035*01
Dates: Aug 10-14
Instructor: Mark Andersen
Minimum Age: 18
Max # participants: 10
Location: Spear-O-Wigwam and backpacking to
Participant Cost: $329

Course Description: “Don’t Panic” When faced with what seems like a daunting task, panic is often the first response.  This wilderness skills class will help you find the don’t panic button in yourself.  You will learn the wilderness survival basic three: shelter, water, food.  This is a hands on course where you’ll dig in and learn how to find food, make fire and build shelter in a mountain wilderness setting.  This course is intended for the beginner wilderness survival enthusiast.

How to sign up: In-Person or Phone. SIGN UP EARLY!  COLLEGE SUMMER HOURS ARE M-Th, 7:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M.
Sheridan College Office of the Registrar – Sheridan College Campus – (307) 674-6446 x 2200
Sheridan College Workforce & Training Development Office – Sheridan College Downtown (307) 674-6446 x 4501
Gillette College Records Office – Gillette College Campus (307) 686-0254 x 1431 or x 1432
Sheridan College in Johnson County – (307) 684-2001

Sorry for any inconvenience, currently we do not have an option for on-line registration.

Summary of Skills Taught :

  • Shelter building: modern and primitive
  • Water: the art of finding and proper treatment
  • Fire making: bow drill, hand drill, fire plow, pump drill, flint and steal fires.
  • Flint knapping: stone knives and arrowheads,
  • Primitive weapons: bow and arrow, bone knives, addle addles and blowguns.
  • Basket making
  • The art of wild crafting and food gathering
  • Edible and useful plants
  • Rope making
  • Primitive fishing
  • Traps and snares
  • Primitive glues
  • Animal tracking and identification
  • Primitive navigation
  • Constellations and reading the stars
  • Hiking: build backpacks and safe hiking
  • Nightly group discussions
  • Journals and poems

Course Schedule:

  • August 10, 2011
  • 8:00 am Check In Sheridan Collage.
  • 8:15 am Inventory check gear up.
  • 8:45 am Fire Building Demo
  • 9:15 am Plant Identification Class
  • 10:00 am Drive to Spear O Wigwam (gathering materials for fire building)
  • time of day is no longer important.
  • Skill development
  • Time to eat
  • Time to sleep
  • August 11, 2011
  • Build backpacks
  • Hike to?
  • Skill development
  • Campfire reading and writing in journal.
  • August 12, 2011
  • Hike to?
  • Skill development
  • Campfire reading and writing in journal.
  • August 13, 2011
  • Return to Spear O Wigwam
  • Skill development
  • Wrap Up
  • Dinner Dutch Oven and BBQ
  • Campfire reading and writing in journal.
  • August 14, 2011
  • Wrap up
  • Return to Spear O Wigwam
  • 4:00 pm Return to Sheridan

Participant Equip List: Please only bring what is on this list

  • Sleeping bag /mummy bag (rated at least 20 degrees)
  • Sleeping pad
  • 8×10 Tarp
  • Fleece jacket or pullover
  • One pair of long pants (denim jeans not recommended)
  • One pair of shorts (optional)
  • Two pair of underwear (sports bras not bras)
  • Two T-shirts
  • 4 – 6 pair of socks (preferably not cotton)
  • Baseball cap & Stocking cap
  • One pair of hiking boots that are broken in (if you prefer, old tennis shoes are ok)
  • Flip flops or sandals to wear around camp (optional)
  • Three one-quart water bottles
  • Two bandanas
  • Disposable camera (optional)
  • Steno note pad and pen
  • Leather work gloves
  • Comb or brush (optional)
  • Lip balm or chap stick (optional)
  • Long underwear (optional)
  • Rain poncho
  • Windbreaker or rain jacket
  • Swimming shorts/suit (optional)
  • Toothbrush
  • Feminine hygiene products if needed
  • Personal medications (let me know about them please)
  • Stuff sack for food (you can use your sleeping bag stuff bag)
  • Two pencils

Do Not Bring

  • Cell phones
  • Back Pack
  • Knife
  • Compass / GPS / Map
  • Watch
  • Matches / Lighter
  • Flash light
  • Candy or snacks (food will be provided)

What to expect when staying @ Spear-O-Wigwam:

Travel

– All participants will be expected to meet at the Sheridan College Golden Dome 10 minutes prior to departure time. Students are allowed to drive their own vehicle, or transportation will be provided to Spear-O-Wigwam. Please indicate at time of registration as to how you intend on traveling.

Meals

– All meals, snacks and drinks will be provided while staying at Spear-O-Wigwam. Please let us know if you have any allergies or specific requirements when you register for a course.

Lodging

– Excluding Front Country Backpacking and Wilderness Survival, all Summer 2011 class participants will be housed in Spear-O-Wigwam cabins.

Equipment

– Upon registration, each student will be given an equipment list provided by the course instructor.

Fishing

– Course participants are welcome to fish during their free time at Spear-O-Wigwam; however, you must provide your own fishing equipment and have a current Wyoming fishing license. (There will be no place to purchase one once you are at Spear-O)