Spring Survival Campout - Athabasca E1103

When: June 6–7
Where: 1 hour north of Edmonton

These two days are a cost-effective and fun way to learn and practise skills in a wilderness setting at a time of year that can be a little challenging. Participants will learn all the skills needed to spend an extended period of time in the wild using mostly natural materials. This weekend will focus mainly on long-term survival in situations where you do not want to be found: advanced shelter building, sleeping platforms, fire walls, and wilderness cooking. We will still touch on the basics, such as cutting tool safety and firecraft. These camp-outs are geared towards families with all levels of wilderness experience. Participants are welcome to bring a trailer, RV, or tent to the site for the weekend, or sleep in the shelters they have built. As the site is a designated Crown Land wild camping spot, we cannot reserve spots ahead of time. If possible, it is recommended that families arrive on Friday to ensure they have a spot close to the teaching area. The road in is gravel but passable by standard-height cars and trucks. First-time or occasional campers are welcome—this is a safe and fun way to experience wild camping for the first time, surrounded by other families and experienced campers. Sleeping in your shelter is strongly encouraged.

Please note that, as this is on Crown Land, a Public Land camping pass is required to avoid possible fines. You can get one here: alberta.ca/public-lands-camping-pass

Day 1
9:00 am — Orientation
Axe, Saw, and Knife Safety and Use
Long-Term Shelter Building, Site Selection, and the Five W's
Fire Building
5:00 pm — End of Day

The instruction day officially ends at 5:00 pm, but participants are welcome to continue working on shelters and fires, especially if they are planning to sleep in them.

Day 2
9:30 am — Wilderness Cooking
Reading Nature and Wilderness Medicine Walk
Survival Kits
4:00 pm — Closing Activities