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.

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