7-Day Field Expedition | Boulder Outdoor Survival School

Step Into the Wilderness. Unlock Your True Potential.

The BOSS 28 Day Field Expedition is our signature survival course. It remains essentially unchanged since we introduced it in 1968. The BOSS Field Expedition is unique -- travel through Southern Utah’s stunning mountains, mesas, and canyons with just the essentials like a blanket, poncho, and a knife. No tents, no sleeping bags, no stoves or backpacks, no lights, and definitely no watches, GPS, cellphones, or toilet paper. BOSS Field Expeditions go beyond skill acquisition; they are about survival in its purest form, where the only things you can rely on are nature and your knowledge. In a group of up to 12 students, led by experienced instructors, you will learn fundamental wilderness survival skills, experience the unknown, test your limits, and practice essential survival behavior that will change the way you view the world around you.

The Challenge

Our Field Expeditions immerse you in the wilderness, where every step presents a new challenge. You’ll be pushed physically and mentally as you trek through some of the most beautiful and rugged landscapes in the country.

From our very earliest days as an organization, we have earned the reputation of being the one of the most demanding survival school experiences, but BOSS is not a “tough love” military style survival school. Our instructors are in it with you. You will hike long and difficult miles in the desert heat, and with minimal gear and provisions. You will learn survival and wilderness skills, then rely on them. You will learn about your endurance, your strength, your mental toughness and survival mindset, and -– perhaps most importantly – yourself.

What to Expect

This intense expedition introduces you to core wilderness survival techniques while traversing the beautiful and rugged landscapes of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Catered to people who may not have the time to devote two or four weeks to an expedition, this course is designed to be no less challenging or rewarding. You will learn essential skills, hike long distances, and adapt to the wilderness with minimal gear.

Prerequisites

• No prior camping or outdoor experience is required.

• All applicants must complete a Health and Physical Exam packet with a physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner and obtain their signed approval before enrollment.

• A 1.5-mile, 12-15 minute timed run.

• Participants must be 18 years or older.

• A high level of fitness preparation is strongly recommended.

Food - Start with no food, then on 1,500 daily calorie rations. On longer courses, process a large animal for extra resources.

Travel - Hike up to 8–10 miles most days through deserts and high sub-alpine forests. Navigate using land features and maps, with compass skills on longer courses.

Shelter - Learn to stay warm without modern shelter. Use poncho shelters and wool blankets, and explore emergency and debris shelters on longer courses.

Self-development - Build resilience, self-reliance, leadership, and teamwork under stress. Discover there's more in you than you know.