(STEP) Survival Training Expedition Program

Lead Instructor: Jacks Genega

 

(15 Students MAX) 5 Days or 4 Nights

$850/Student

 

ABOUT:

Take the first STEP! Get ready to experience Colorado’s wild frontier, rich with dense pine forests, rocky outcrops, and stream crossings, that will excite your curiosity and challenge your endurance on this thrilling wilderness adventure where nature becomes your greatest mentor. STEP (Survival Training Expedition Program) is a guided wilderness skills hike designed for outdoor enthusiasts seeking immersive survival training on the move while carrying minimal food and supplies, or the essential gear in a hiker’s day pack. Over the course of four days, you will witness an untouched landscape armed with little tools to deepen your connection with both the natural world and your lionheart within. Students will complete multiple phases with the last being an evening solo where they will implement the skills they’ve developed.

 

Day hikers are statistically more likely to confront danger in the wild due to their lack of knowledge, skill, and gear. This excursion is designed to be a ‘path to preparedness’ as you will learn crucial techniques such as fire-building, disinfecting water, foraging for edible plants, primitive food procurement methods, creating improvised shelters, navigating without a GPS, on top of several exercises to enhance your survival mindset while under the guidance of experienced instructors. Opportunities to learn and grow in resilience while tasting and testing your self-reliance will leave participants filled with courage to take their first step in future backcountry adventures. Participants will test their creativity in how to utilize environmental resources on top of the items they’ll depend on - a cutting edge, poncho, water container, and fire-starting tool. Each phase of the journey presents new challenges that will foster personal growth that will unlock your potential on your personal hero’s journey.

 

Phase 1 of the course begins on Day 1 where kits will be inspected, safety precautions will be thoroughly discussed, and an introduction to critical skills such as self-aid, fire, shelter, and water will be presented. Students are not required to stay on site on this night but are highly encouraged to do so to promote social bonds as we prepare to travel together in the remote wilderness.

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The following day will begin Phase 2 where we will embark on the expedition off the grid and dive into valleys and through gulches to gather materials from the forest floor for the evening’s fire. This phase emphasizes practical, hands-on learning, encouraging participants to engage fully with the environment while developing confidence in their abilities. Students will learn primitive trapping and fishing methods, friction fire off the landscape, how to read weather patterns, navigate via terrain association, and how to conquer both environmental and personal challenges. Whether you're seeking to prepare for the unexpected, challenge your skills in a remote setting, grow as an outdoor enthusiast, or simply embrace the simplicity of life on the trail, this immersive experience promises to leave you with invaluable survival training and unforgettable memories. By the end of the journey, you’ll walk away with an enhanced confidence, practical skills, a new appreciation for the natural world—and an ability to overcome that will continue to grow and inspire others. 

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Participation in the expedition phase requires full commitment. Once the journey begins, quitting at any point is not an option, as it impacts the safety, learning, and cohesion of the group. This phase is designed to challenge you and foster growth through resilience and teamwork. While it may push you outside your comfort zone, instructors will support you throughout, ensuring your safety and success.

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Consider this commitment carefully before joining—once on the trail, perseverance is key to completing this transformative experience.

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The final phase, Phase 3, will begin the afternoon of Day 4 and involves preparation for an individual evening alone. Students will complete the final leg of the expedition and gather materials needed for food and fire before scouting their desired location for a night in solitude. The following morning we will gather in community and discuss our challenges and triumphs of the previous evening and the prior days. This final phase will complete the program leaving students ready to take the first STEP in future wilderness adventures. 

 

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

• Learn techniques to start and maintain a fire in various weather conditions including fire by friction

• Learn essential knots and build effective tarp shelters using ponchos they will carry

• Finding and filtering water in the wild

• Identify edible plants and avoid toxic ones

• Understand animal behavior and stay safe around wildlife

• Read the skies and other signs to predict weather changes

• Cultivate resilience, resourcefulness, and problem-solving skills

• Thrive in the wilderness with minimal tools and equipment

• Understand primitive methods to procure food off the landscape including various primitive fishing techniques

• Minimize your impact and preserve the wilderness for others learning ‘Leave No Trace’

• Create useful items like spears, cooking implements, and cordage from natural resource

• Learn how to structure your day around sunlight and natural resources.

• Apply skills in real-life survival scenarios for hands-on practice.​

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REQUIREMENTS:

This course is designed for all skill levels, however, some hiking and a basic level of proficiency in survival priorities is suggested.

 

Students must be able to comfortably walk five to ten miles in rugged terrain while carrying upwards of 20 lbs.

 

Students with any allergies (food or environmental), dietary restrictions, and critical medications must contact us before booking this course.