BOSS is not a military survival program. We teach how indigenous cultures around the world have survived in harmony with the land for thousands of years. If you want a "Boot Camp" or "Rambo" experience, please consider something else. If you want to learn a softer path through the wilderness –– a path that teaches how to create a positive impact on the land around you –– please consider joining us at BOSS.
BOSS is not a wilderness youth therapy program. People sometimes assume that BOSS students are young kids, or that we are working with juvenile delinquents who need to be "whipped into shape" on the trail. In reality, our students are quite the opposite. People come to BOSS voluntarily to learn a low technology, wilderness education curriculum. Although we do admit people as young as 18 (15 on some courses), our typical students range from the mid-20's to later 50's; our oldest has been 73. All of our students are mature people who come to BOSS to enjoy a unique wilderness experience.
BOSS Field Courses are not easy. If you want to relax and be catered to, please consider something other than a BOSS Field Course. On a Field Course, one of our goals is to push you while we teach you new ways of traveling in the wilderness. This means you should arrive in good shape and be willing to explore the Utah deserts and mountains with us. Other BOSS courses are less challenging, but you should still expect to participate and learn actively.
BOSS is not for passive people. We believe that lessons are best learned from personal hands-on experience. For Skills Courses, this means cutting, creating, building, and doing, each day of the week. For Field and Explorer Courses, this means hiking, climbing, and sweating during your time on the trail. For all courses, this means contributing to the experience of the trip and taking responsibility for the outcome.
BOSS is not offering you a risk-free wilderness experience. The wilderness is beyond our control. Nature is beyond our control. We hope that you will understand this and embrace the opportunity we are offering you: a chance to live in the moment and experience the wilderness to the fullest. (We are, of course, safety-conscious but you should understand the realities of being in remote wilderness.)
BOSS courses are not impossible. They are not beyond your ability to succeed. Thousands of our alumni from all over the globe will tell you their course opened their eyes to a new world, and that the BOSS experience is definitely worth the effort. While we know it might not be for everyone, a BOSS course can be magical for the right type of person. We hope you'll join us on the trail.
To learn more about the types of courses BOSS offers, please click here.
