Our History

BOSS is the world’s premier wilderness survival school, offering life-changing experiences in the remote wilds of Southern Utah. Guided by the philosophy of “Know more, carry less,” BOSS teaches traditional living skills, empowering individuals to thrive with minimal gear.

Founded in 1968 by Brigham Young University professor Larry Dean Olsen, BOSS began as a way to help struggling students reconnect with themselves through challenging wilderness experiences. The first courses involved trekking over 300 miles through the rugged landscapes of Southern Utah with minimal gear, concentrating on survival skills and individual growth.

In 1977, Doug Nelson officially established the Boulder Outdoor Survival School. Over the decades, BOSS evolved under various leaderships, expanding its curriculum to include both field courses and intensive skills courses that focus on ancient traditions and sustainable living.

In 2018, BOSS transitioned to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to better fulfill its mission of empowering people through wilderness-based education. Today, BOSS remains committed to preserving traditional living skills and guiding students on transformative journeys through the natural world, just as it has for over 50 years.

Know More, Carry Less

BOSS’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that the wilderness is a powerful teacher, and survival is a means to uncovering one's true potential, developing resilience, and reconnecting with a more natural way of being.

Mindset Over Mechanics

Developing a survivor’s mindset is more valuable than mastering specific skills. The BOSS philosophy views survival training as the beginning of an ongoing journey rather than simply a finite set of skills.

Survival as a Path to Self Discovery

Survival is a lifelong practice that fosters continuous self-improvement and learning. We believe that when we face nature with minimal tools, we encounter our most authentic selves.

Embrace Discomfort for Growth

BOSS’s approach uses the wilderness as a training ground for resilience. We believe true resilience comes from embracing and overcoming fear, discomfort, and uncertainty.

Harmony with Nature

Survival is about understanding and living with nature, not against it.

What is Bushcraft?

Bushcraft is the art of using skills, knowledge, and the natural environment to live and thrive in the wilderness. It goes beyond tools and gear. At its core, bushcraft is about understanding the landscape, knowing how to gather and shape materials from the environment, and maintaining a calm, focused mindset in the face of challenges.

While tools like knives, axes, and shelters are valuable, bushcraft emphasizes that your greatest asset is your knowledge. The ability to read the land, make sound decisions, and use what nature provides is what sets a survivor apart. It’s about learning how to meet your basic needs—food, water, shelter—using the resources at hand while minimizing your impact on the environment.

At BOSS, we believe in bushcraft as a way of life. Our courses teach traditional skills that connect you with the natural world and foster confidence, resourcefulness, and respect for the wilderness.

What BOSS Is

A Journey of Self-Discovery

BOSS courses are designed to push you physically, mentally, and emotionally, leading to profound personal growth. You’ll leave with more than survival skills—you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of yourself.

An Immersion in Traditional Skills

We teach primitive survival techniques that have been passed down through generations. These skills are timeless and practical. They connect you to the wisdom of the past while preparing you for the future.

A Minimalist Experience

Our “Know more, carry less” philosophy means you’ll learn to thrive with minimal gear, relying on your knowledge and the resources around you.

A Challenge Worth Taking

Whether it’s a Field course or a Skills course, BOSS challenges you to step outside your comfort zone. With the right mindset, every student has the potential to succeed and grow.

What BOSS Is Not

A Military Survival Program

We teach ancient, traditional living skills, not tactical or military-style survival. If you're seeking a boot camp experience, BOSS isn’t the right fit.

A Youth Therapy Program

While many students experience personal growth, we are not a therapeutic program. Our courses are for adults ready to voluntarily challenge themselves in nature.

A Guide Service

We don’t lead you on a cushioned wilderness tour. At BOSS, you’ll actively participate in hiking, learning, and applying skills hands-on. This is an educational experience, not a guided trip.

Risk-Free

Wilderness, by nature, carries risk. Our instructors are highly trained in wilderness medicine, but BOSS courses involve real-world challenges where you’ll embrace risk as part of the learning.