Wildernes Survival Training

Rick Marchand

Rick Marchand

Donkey on the Edge
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This training has been moved to Spring 2008.





My Fellow Bushbums....


Are you interested in wilderness survival?(duh!)
Are you interested in Native spirituality and living with the earth?
Are you interested in working with a team, learning new skills and maybe discovering more about yourself?

Then join me on a weekend course this December in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, offered Alan 'Bow" Beauchamp.

Alan has been practicing, teaching and writing articles on bushcraft forover 18 years...to learn more visit http://www.wildwoodsurvival.com/other/contributors/abb.html

There will be a maximum of 12 participants and the cost is $330.00 CDN for three days training.

(attn Super Mods.... I (unfortunately) see none of this money.... it's Bow's course.... I am but a messenger and a current student of Mr. Beauchamp.)

NOTE: this will be one of the last beginner courses offered by Bow for quite a while, as he prefers to improve the skills of his currrent students through advanced courses before inviting more students to his beginner course. So be sure to take advantage or you'll miss out!

The training may include:

some personal time, telling stories and meeting new people(all must attendthis segment)
native spirituality,
what is real in the bush
natural navigation
fire starting( flint based, and traditional),
carrying fire
tinder's from the bush,
fire management
edible teas
shelters ( personal, no tactical styles on this course)
animal tracking, traps ( small game),
game awareness
bush first aid,
bush medicines
psychology of survival
signaling (air, personal signs)
camp craft ,
safe site usage
primitive weapons ( small game weapons),,, (no large game styles)
bush cordage
gear tuning ( personal survival gear),
clothing systems
water containers,
water procurement,
two levels nature
fishing systems
bush ideas to support our camp crafting

**THE TRAINING OFFERED IS DEPENDENT ON VARIOUS FACTORS SUCH AS TEAMDYNAMICS, INDIVIDUAL SKILLS, AND WEATHER.***

If you know of others who may be interested please let me know... Rick
 
Wabajack said:
Sounds like fun, however... what’s this 'native spirituality'?
Click to expand...

It doesn't get mystical or religeous, Waba.... He is half Native and relates many of the native traditions if you seek that path. For instance... on our last trip he spoke about the purpose of a medicine bag and that it isn't that little pouch around your neck with stuff somebody pre-packaged for you... a medicine bag is any collection of things that have significance to you... it can be your wallet! You place things inside that remind you of important events or people and when you're in a slump you open it up and recharge your batteries so to speak.....

You will be not be smoking peace-pipes, chanting or speaking to the "Spirit That Moves In All Things".... (Although, he can point you in that direction but YOU have to ask for it) He trains the Canadian Snipers and has a militaristic approach at times.... He is somewhere between Hippy and Jarhead.... lol.

Bow is layed back and expects to be treated as one of the gang when you're out there. His philosophy is that all the answers are in the BUSH not in him, and when you are ready... he helps you find them for yourself.... there are no classrooms.... you are LIVING the skills you learn... as you learn them.

In his own words "I'm Bow, nothing special, just Bow"

Hope this sheds light on the training.
Rick
 
Hey Rick,
I might interesting but not sure yet.Do you know the date?
Thank You Jozsef
 
Wear abouts in the Sudbury area? I lived there for 4 years and know it and surrounding area fairly well.
 
Jnyiri said:
Hey Rick,
I might interesting but not sure yet.Do you know the date?
Thank You Jozsef
Click to expand...

As of right now its the first weekend of Dec...... Specifically November 30th, Dec 1st & 2nd.

kgd said:
Wear abouts in the Sudbury area? I lived there for 4 years and know it and surrounding area fairly well.
Click to expand...

The meeting place is Webwood, Ontario... about an hour West of Sudbury on the Trans-Canada. From there we travel about an hour north into the bush.

I can get into detail about what you'll need to bring, etc.... If you are genuinely interested

Rick
 
Yeah, I'm with 2dogs. It'd be nice to go and maybe I'll have the opportunity at a later date.
 
That's not far from me, and the exchange rate makes it attractive. I'll see if I can get off. Wish me luck.
 
Magnussen said:
It doesn't get mystical or religeous, Waba.... He is half Native and relates many of the native traditions if you seek that path. For instance... on our last trip he spoke about the purpose of a medicine bag and that it isn't that little pouch around your neck with stuff somebody pre-packaged for you... a medicine bag is any collection of things that have significance to you... it can be your wallet! You place things inside that remind you of important events or people and when you're in a slump you open it up and recharge your batteries so to speak...
Click to expand...

Rick,

That is one of the best explanations of a medicine bag that I have ever read. Clear and to the point with no B.S.

My Dad used to have this 1925 Liberty Dollar, Silver Dollar. He drilled a hole through it and had it on his keychain all of the time. I don't know what my mother did with it after he died. My brother gave me another 1925 Liberty Dollar and things like that fit the description of those types of items. Crystals, coins...rocks. Comes in handy when you're Steve McQueen playing Tom Horn and you need to crack someone on their egg as well. :D
 
I'm posting this info to speed up the process as we are definately running out of time for this 3rd Group....




Here is some info...

We need a min of 10 people to commit for the training to take place.. There are 5 so far... so it is still up in the air. (THIS IS A HAIL-MARY ATTEMPT AT FORMING A THRID AND FINAL TEAM. BOW WILL NOT OFFER INTRODUCTORY TRAINING AGAIN, ANYTIME SOON.) Nov 14 is the sign up deadline. If I don't have 10... we'll have to cancel, This introductory training is very team orientated. The fee is due by the 19th. I will contact you in the evening of the 14th.

PAYMENT
Bow "normally" wants HALF of the money as a retaining fee. YOU can cancel up to two weeks prior to training for a full refund... after the two week mark, UNLESS BOW CANCELS, he keeps the retainer. What I usually do is collect certified cheques for the FULL amount and give half of them to Mr Beauchamp... If the training gets canceled or YOU cancel before two weeks, Both he and I shred the cheques. If you cancel after the deadline, I issue a cert. cheque for half of the amount... HOWEVER....

.. Because this is such short notice, He is waving the retaining fee... but still need the full payment by the 19th.

...If, by some stroke of luck, everything falls into place... You will be directed to a private forum to discuss the "particulars" of the training....

Like......................................

What you need to bring…

SAFE SITE
The beginner course is held at the “Safe Site”. It is a hunting camp that we drive our vehicles right up into. If you drive, you can basically live out of your car. You can bring whatever makes you comfortable… tents, camp chairs, heaters, mattresses, etc…. If you are not driving and are flying in or bussing… you need to be able to carry everything on your back.


FOOD
Food is not included in the price. Again, anything goes… some groups go in together on food… Make time to hit a grocery store before we meet if you don’t plan on bringing food from home… once in the bush, we are an hour away from town. And you won’t have time to go without missing the training. (For example… my group of 8 went in on food and it was only $23 each for the weekend and we had food left over) Don’t forget water… there is a nearby stream, but I would suggest a purifier (most drank directly from the stream with no ill effects) I brought my own water. You will have a fire pit to cook in and bring a camp stove if you think you need one. You’ll need you own pots cups and plates. (Unless you arrange to share with others)

GEAR

Something to wear…
-Dress appropriately to the season. This December is looking to be mild but a little damp… Lows at -10 C (15 F), Highs at -2 C. (29 F)…. Raingear is essential.
-Use the layering system….
1. Wicking base layer of thin polyester-type-synthetic-stuff (or if you can do it, use a wool fabric.)
2. Microfleece/wool insulation layer. This should be light weight, pants and shirt.
3. Second fleece layer. Heavier, pants and shirt.
4. Jacket. Wool or fleece.
5. Shell. Waterproof/resistant, windproof/resistant and breathable.
-Thick socks and good winter boots
-also bring a pair of camp shoes/moccasins or sneakers.
-wool knit cap
-light fingered gloves and a heavy pair of winter gloves or mitts.

Something to sleep in…
-Tent…For the cold… smaller is better. You will be urged to bunk with others. For team purposes… if that is a problem, no worries… its not mandatory.
-Bring a tarp if you can
-Sleeping bag, below zero rating, you can also double up sleeping bags for increased warmth.
-Ground pad, foam or air, even a wool blanket, something to insulate you from the ground.

Something to eat with…
-utensils… knife fork spoon
-cup for tea, coffee, hot drinks
-a bowl and plate.
-cooking pots and pans (often shared between the team)
You are responsible for your own food. If you wish to contact other team members to plan for a group buy… that is fine.

Something to cut with…
-You’ll need a good fixed knife with a strong secure sheath for camp craft This is essential!!!…. 3-5 inch blade is good, but its whatever you’re comfortable with.
-folding saw is useful.
-camp axe is useful.

Something to light a fire with…
-ferrocerium rod, firesteel, flint rod whatever you call it… you’ll need something to throw sparks for fire lighting. (Do a web search for “firesteel”, or.. I sell them, too)
-jute twine for making tinder.
-butane lighter, matches.

Other gear needed…
-Large backpack (if you don’t live out of your car)
-Small pack for dayhikes… we will discuss this as a group
-First aid kit
-headlamp and/or flashlite. w/ extra batteries
-wash kit and towel, tooth brush, etc…
-toilet paper
-large garbage bags … always usefull.
-compass
-rope and/or cord
-Canteen or water bottle.

Feel free to ask any questions...
Rick
 
Love the signature line quote, one of my favorites. Describes a lot of things around here to a T. :D
 
Thanks. It will definitely be easier to get off work outside of the Thanksgiving to Christmas season.
 
I'm very interested, I couldn't have made it this time, I'm very pleased it was pushed back to a less hectic season in my life. Xmas and thanksgiving is absolute chaos for me.

My e-mail address is jeremysw2@yahoo.com - Please inform me of any plans or details as the arrive. Thank you for this post!
 
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