About the Course
For the entirety of our existence, humans have depended on plants -- for food, for medicine, for shelter, for tools, for beauty. Our ancestors had a deep knowledge of plant families and knew what, when, and how to harvest what nature provided, respectfully and sustainably. In recent years -- within just two generations in many places -- this intimate connection with the plant world has been severed. BOSS's Plants of the Southwest course seeks to reestablish that connection and introduce you to the amazing world of flora around Boulder, Utah.

Course Content
The best way to become acquainted with plants is to visit them in their native habitat and see where they survive and thrive. This course, therefore, is completely field-based, with basecamps in both desert and mountain environments.

The primary focus of this Plants of the Southwest course is the identification, collection, preparation, storage and consumption of wild edibles. Medicinal plants – their identification, collection, properties, preparation, storage and use in the field and at home -- will be our secondary focus. We will be making our own teas, tinctures, salves, poultices, as we prepare an herbal first aid kit.

Students will hike each day to study and, when applicable, responsibly gather specimens in the Boulder, Utah area. In the evenings, around the campfire, we will prepare, store and consume (if applicable) what we have harvested. What we learn depends upon seasonal weather patterns, but be prepared to study between 50 and 100 plants!

Phase	Length	Description
Orientation	1/2 day	1/2 day of introductions, skills & safety instruction, equipment review and a chance to purchase needed gear. Introductory plant walk, lessons on taxonomy and dichotomous keys, plant stories.
Desert Basecamp	3 days	Identifying, gathering and processing plants of the high desert. We'll also cover BOSS basic survival skills: shelter, fire, water, cordage, knife use & safety.
Mountain Basecamp	3 days	We'll move to our Boulder Mountain basecamp, entering a new ecological zone and a new place to study plants.
Celebration/Graduation	1/2 day	Return to BOSS to study a few more plants and then a celebratory graduation ceremony.

About BOSS
Since 1968, BOSS Courses have set the standard for low-technology camping and desert hiking techniques, where instruction is conducted with minimal intrusion of modern technology in environments that allow course content to be experienced first-hand. Our commitment to quality and to our core philosophies has earned BOSS its reputation as the survival school to go to when you want to learn from the best in the industry.

Less is More
In line with the BOSS Positive Impact Camping philosophy, the Plants of the Southwest course has a decided emphasis on using renewable, natural resources. Tents, sleeping bags, stoves, backpacks and many other "required" pieces of outdoor equipment are replaced with their low-tech counterparts: a poncho, a blanket, a campfire. The motto here is "Know more, Carry less" and we'll explore how traditional cultures lived comfortably without all the modern gadgets like watches, radios, cellphones, etc (which are not allowed). Come learn how back-country travel can be a less intrusive and more harmonious experience.

Course Location
This course will occur in the canyons and on the mesas surrounding Boulder, Utah. All 7 days of the course are in the field, with students immersed in the world of plants. Although many of the plants we will study are unique to the Great Basin area, a surprising number -- particularly those in the riparian areas -- are found throughout the US.

Health & Safety
BOSS requires that all Explorer Course applicants undergo a complete physical examination and receive their physician's approval in writing prior to final acceptance on the course.

Please keep in mind, despite your physician's approval and BOSS's acceptance of you on the course, there are no guarantees.  Health and participation risks (inherent and otherwise) remain. It's up to you and your physician to determine if a BOSS course is an appropriate choice. All participants must be aware of these risks and embrace them. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Age
The key to a successful course is a student's maturity and his or her interest in learning in a skills-intensive environment. Students younger than 18 must be physically and mentally mature enough to handle a course of this nature, and must also come with a parent or guardian.

Food & Diet
All students are provided with BOSS food packs which consist of basic staples such as lentils, rice, quinoa, carrots, potatoes, onions, rolled oats, wheat flour, powdered milk, etc. During fire-ban seasons, these rations are modified to include instant soups and meals which do not need a fire to be eaten. Either way, the food packs will provide a student with approximately 2000 calories per day — enough to keep you healthy and active for the duration of the course. Students who wish to supplement their diet with wild edibles may do so in a responsible manner. Students with allergies or dietary restrictions should contact our office for additional information.

2010 Dates & Prices

7-Day Plants of the Southwest

PS-1

July 25 - 31

Utah

$1395

Course dates and prices are subject to change. Space is limited on each course, and registrations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Please go to the Registration page for more information.