Survival Training Expedition Program
$850.0
Survival Training Expedition Program (STEP)
Lead Instructor: Jacks Genega
Duration: 5 Days/4 Nights (Maximum 15 Students)
Cost: $850 per student
Embark on the STEP adventure and explore Colorado’s untamed wilderness, featuring dense pine forests, rocky landscapes, and stream crossings. This guided skills hike immerses participants in survival training with minimal gear, focusing on self-reliance and resourcefulness. Over four days, students develop skills like fire-building, water purification, foraging, primitive food procurement, navigation without GPS, and shelter construction while carrying a lightweight day pack. The program includes multiple phases, culminating in a solo overnight experience where participants apply their training in a real-world scenario.
Highlights Include:
- Friction fire techniques
- Primitive fishing and trapping methods
- Wilderness navigation and weather interpretation
- Identification of edible and toxic plants
- Animal safety and understanding behavior
- Creating natural tools and cordage
- Low-impact camping with 'Leave No Trace' principles
Course Phases:
- Phase 1: Gear inspection, safety briefings, and skill introduction on self-aid, fire, water, and shelter.
- Phase 2: Off-grid expedition into valleys and gulches, with hands-on training in resource gathering and primitive techniques.
- Phase 3: Solo overnight in a self-scouted location, followed by group reflections.
Requirements:
- Must be 18+ years old
- Capable of hiking 5–10 miles on rugged terrain with 20 lbs. of gear
- Basic understanding of survival priorities recommended
Gear List:
Essential items include a cutting tool, fire-starting instrument, water containers, nylon poncho, emergency blanket or bivvy, headlamp, paracord, and first aid kit. Specific clothing and food provisions mimic real hiking situations, with optional additions like sunscreen, bug spray, and trekking poles.
Additional Details:
- Instruction by a Wilderness First Responder and licensed HAM Radio operator
- Potable water available on-site
- Students may tent or hammock camp, with communal evenings encouraged
- No meals provided; students must bring their own food and snacks (5000-calorie limit for the expedition phase).
Important Notes:
- Firearms, alcohol, and drug use prohibited
- Students accept liability for personal injury
- Participation requires full commitment; quitting during the expedition is not allowed due to safety and group cohesion
Prepare for an unforgettable wilderness experience that builds resilience, skills, and a deeper connection to nature while fostering personal growth and self-reliance.