Do you know how you would react in a survival situation? Do you have the mindset required to survive even if you have few resources?

Having the right mindset is the foundation for thriving in any stressful situation. It is often the ONLY skill you need. During this event, we will discuss the common reactions of people faced with a potentially life-threatening situation and discuss traits or habits that can increase a person’s chances of survival.

Joel and Laurie will lead this day long event divided into three phases. The first phase is a hike to a specific location, to be disclosed at a later time. The second is the survivalist mindset discussion and the third phase will be the hike back to the starting point.

Those who RSVP for this event will be placed in one of three groups.
The first will be responsible for navigation to the site. The second will be responsible for starting and maintaining a fire during the discussion and the third will be responsible for creating seating and shelter for all participants. When signing up for this event, please indicate in which group you would like to be placed. We will attempt to accommodate everyone involved but we may have to move people into different groups based on responses.

Those choosing to navigate will be provided an enlarged map of the area of interest. They will be given a start and end grid reference based on the MGRS (Military Grid Reference System). This information will be provided after we have arrived at the starting point. Only if safety becomes an issue, will the organizers intervene in the routes chosen by the navigators. This event is not meant to teach participants how to navigate. Please choose the navigator group only if you have previous navigation experience. If you have navigation experience but are unfamiliar with MGRS, you can still sign up for the navigator group and assistance will be provided at the starting point.

Those choosing the fire starting group will be required to gather sufficient wood to last the entire discussion period (approximately one hour). You will also be required to start the fire regardless of the environmental conditions. Group members can bring whatever fire starting tools they wish with the exception of matches and lighters.

The final group responsible for seating will be required to construct improvised seating, and possibly shelter, for the entire group. The members of this group will have to bring a quantity of rope with them because we will not have time to make cordage. Simplicity and creativeness are key attributes for the seating systems.

As alluded to in the previous text, this event will involve a hike that may be difficult depending on the routes chosen by the navigators. All those signing up for this event should be prepared for a hike of approximately 1 – 1.5 hours through hilly and in some places, wet terrain.

Participants will also be required to pack a lunch and sufficient water for this event.

Depending on how long the hike in and out takes the event could end as late as 3:00 or 4:00pm.