Before You Arrive

Arrival and Directions

Colorado campus driving directions

Arrive one hour before the class start time for check-in. Check the schedule for your selected course date. Contact TSU before traveling if the start time or meeting location is unclear.

Course Arrangements

Students enrolled in this course may remain on the training property overnight during the scheduled program while learning practical camping skills. Students use tents and other course-appropriate shelter arrangements and bring the personal sleeping equipment listed below. Use of the training property overnight is limited to enrolled students and authorized program participants. Campsites are not independently rented or offered to the general public.

Students who prefer to stay off site can choose from multiple hotels and Airbnb rentals in the surrounding area. Cripple Creek is approximately a 15-minute drive from our location, and Woodland Park is approximately 30 minutes away. Students are responsible for arranging their own lodging and making reservations directly with their chosen provider. Please call or email us before the course if you have questions about overnight arrangements.

Facilities

• Sanitation/Hygiene: A porta potty restroom and potable water will be provided at the main camp

Food and Water

Water will be provided but students will need to bring their own food. We recommend quick field expedient meals such as freeze dried hiking meals or MRE’s. They can quickly be made at our primitive camps and won’t slow down the learning process. However, students may bring any food that they wish to cook over the campfire or on their own personal camp stove.

Food can be purchased locally at nearby facilities. Walmart and several local eateries are within a reasonable driving distance.

What to Bring

You do not need to buy expensive equipment before the course. Bring your own tent if you have one. If you need help choosing or arranging suitable gear, contact us before registering. We will help you focus on the equipment you actually need to learn to camp comfortably.

Please bring:

• Your own tent or shelter arranged with TSU before the course
• Sleeping bag if you already have one, or warm blankets from home (bring as many blankets as you want)
• Sleeping pad if you own one (optional)
• Weather appropriate clothing (dress in layers)
• Sturdy shoes
• Refillable water bottle
• Personal toiletries
• Any snacks or food you want
• A camp chair if you already own one (optional)

We will provide:

• Camp cookware for group meals
• Basic instruction on what gear matters and what doesn’t
• Firewood and fire supplies

Contact us before purchasing new equipment for this course. We will help you identify what you need for the scheduled class and what can wait until you have more camping experience.

Clothing and Weather

Warm outdoor clothing, warm gloves and hat, outdoor boots and wool socks. Cotton clothing is highly discouraged in the mountains! Wool will keep you warm even when wet and synthetics will dry faster. Layers are important in Colorado. You will want a water wicking base layer, an insulating mid layer, and a waterproof breathable outer shell. Check out our Clothes Layering Basics if you are unsure of what to wear.

Course Notes

Due to the different levels of prior experience and knowledge among students in each class, individual outcomes may vary. Weather conditions can also be a factor in changing class content slightly. Nonetheless, our instructors will always endeavor to be as accommodating and consistent as circumstances will allow to ensure students get the best training experience and value for money.