Experience with BOSS?

H

hedgehog

Joined
Dec 10, 2005
Messages
37
Has anyone here been to the Boulder Outdoor Survival School? I am interested in taking some classes there and am looking for feedback. Here is the link to their website: http://www.boss-inc.com/

Thanks,
Paul
 
I don't have any experience with BOSS but I don't have a high opinion of them because they killed a man with their stupid ideas about what constitutes survival training:

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2006/jul/19/man-dies-at-survival-school/

From the BOSS website:

"Our goal is to take you from a world of convenience and comfort and put you in a situation where you must go 'just a little bit farther' — past those false limits your mind has set for your body."

Your body does not have "false limits" when it comes to survival. Those "false limits" are actually very well-designed warning signals that you need to change your behavior or you're going to die. Survival is about staying comfortable - not about seeing how close you can come to cheating death. If you get cold, get warm. If you get thirsty, get hydrated. Pushing your body past its limits has its place in a person's overall training - but not at a survival school. It's ok to let students get a little dehydrated in order to show them the importance to stay hydrated. It's not ok to keep pushing someone once they've become severely dehydrated.
 
That's too bad they lost someone... definitely an oversight, but it seems like they resolved it with the family as best they could. Do you guys know of any other schools that offer prolonged survival classes like BOSS? I want to have the experience of really being out there in full survival but am not ready to do it on my own.
 
I went to a few of their classes in 1995 and it was very useful and a lot of fun. One really unfortunate incident shouldn't keep you from considering this organization. By now they have taught thousands of students without any news worthy problems.
 
From the looks of it, they are a very professional organization and their 28 day course looks awesome... It seems from the articles that the student may have had his own health issues too that complicated things. Either way, it looks like they have a lot to offer. One thing I wasn't fully clear on: are the BOSS courses full survival? Are you collecting your own food and water from the land?
 
I may be wrong, but I thought they redesigned the "shock" portion of the class. They start all those classes off with like a 3-day hike without food and minimal water to train your mind not to freak out or something. I thought as a result they now bring extra water and do routine checkups on everyone or something like that.

You could always send an anonymous email to the school saying you're interested in the course, but to be honest are a little concerned about the fellow who died, and see what they say. You'll obviously get some sort of a sales pitch about how you shouldn't worry about that. You may, however, by able to either gain or lose confidence based on what their reasons are.
 
Cody Lundin does several week+ trips a year and will custom tailor a class for you if you ask (and pay).
 
I live pretty close to Boulder. For half the price you can come out for the Bruche Outdoor Survival Scenario.

Activities will include:

Climbing in Eldorado Canyon.

How to secure your trash from bears.

Foraging for produce in the Whole Foods dumpster.

Helping to eliminate my brushpile by dragging it up the hill and making shelters and fire.

And for the final exam we will attempt to summit Mount Audubon wearing only a loincloth and a pair of Crocs.
 
Before you take any survival course, look at the instructors that will be teaching it. You have the right to ask about their backgrounds including medical training and years experience in whatever activity you are studying. Does the school have a qualified instructor or a "summer intern" filling a space. Look around and find what works for you.
 
ilbruche said:
I live pretty close to Boulder. For half the price you can come out for the Bruche Outdoor Survival Scenario.

Activities will include:

Climbing in Eldorado Canyon.

How to secure your trash from bears.

Foraging for produce in the Whole Foods dumpster.

Helping to eliminate my brushpile by dragging it up the hill and making shelters and fire.

And for the final exam we will attempt to summit Mount Audubon wearing only a loincloth and a pair of Crocs.
Click to expand...


Haha!... I might take you up on that! I climbed in Eldo about 10 years ago... gorgeous area. I think we did "March of Dimes" and "Red Garden Route"... Ring any bells? Those climbs were some of my most memorable life experiences. I love that place.
 
I'm leaving for BOSS next month for a 14 primitive living course. Everything I've read from other people who have gone, said it was a great experience. I'll write a review when I get back.
 
While I think that ultimately they were 1000% responsible for the loss of one of their students, I wouldn't be overly judgmental. While in Boot camp, the first couple days, there is a bit of shock and awe...some folks just don't handle it very well. We had guys dropping out, passing out, and going into seizures. Some people have trouble with sudden changes to their environment, and this can effect their physical well being as well as the mental.

I have always wanted to do the long course at BOSS, but the cost is an issue for me, unless I hit the lotto.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top