This course is completely hands on.  Participants will navigate the class through wooded areas with and without a GPS.  While travelling, we will build fires, make a cook stove, rappel, ascend, cross a river, cross a river using a rope bridge, learn essential knots, find direction with items in the field, and build shelter.  During lunch, we will make lunch with our handmade cook stoves and your choice of various trail food items provided.  During the course, we will pause to discuss the history of the area, share tips and tricks of expedition travel, outdoor leadership, expedition team organization, various outdoor techniques and learn essential skills.  Any outdoors person will find the class useful.  The class covers a wide variety of skills through practice and experience.

The course is designed to cover 5 miles on foot while breaking a various locations for practice and hands on learning.  Statistics and experience show that this hands-on approach increases learning and retention.   There is no prerequisite for this course, however, previous participants in the “Outdoor Skills Workshop” will be able to apply their previously learned skills and will learn more advanced skills through practice.

This course is designed for outdoor enthusiasts that would like to explore expedition style and leadership skills.  Successful students will earn a certificate.

A Registered Merit Badge Counselor for the Boy Scouts of America will be an instructor for this class.  If you have an interest or questions about Merit Badge or Venture certification, please e-mail Pathfinder.

Date:  April 17, 2010   9am – 4pm

Cost:  $55 per participant or $100 per team of two

Location:  Fallasburg County Park, Lowell State Game Area and the North Country Trail – near Lowell, Michigan