Lead Instructor:<\/strong> Jacks Genega This hands-on survival expedition is structured around building practical wilderness skills while carrying only what you need in a lightweight day pack. Participants will receive expert instruction in primitive survival techniques and then put them into practice during a multi-day hike, culminating in a solo overnight challenge that puts your training and mindset to the test.<\/p>\n This is not just a class\u2014it\u2019s a transformational wilderness experience.<\/p>\n Friction fire techniques (bow drill, hand drill, and fire maintenance)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Primitive fishing and survival trapping methods<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Wilderness navigation without GPS, using map, compass, and terrain association<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Edible and poisonous plant identification in field conditions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Wildlife safety and behavioral awareness<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Creating primitive tools, containers, and natural cordage<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Shelter construction with natural materials<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Low-impact camping and bushcraft skills using Leave No Trace principles<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Phase 1: Survival Skills Foundations<\/strong> Phase 2: Guided Wilderness Expedition<\/strong> Phase 3: Solo Overnight Challenge<\/strong> Must be 18 years or older<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Physically fit enough to hike 5\u201310 miles per day with 20 lbs. of gear<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Basic familiarity with survival priorities is recommended<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Mental readiness for rugged conditions, variable weather, and self-reliance<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Participants are responsible for bringing specific personal gear including:<\/p>\n Fixed-blade knife or cutting tool<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Fire-starting materials (ferro rod, lighter, etc.)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Water bottles or containers<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Nylon poncho or tarp<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Emergency blanket or bivvy sack<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Headlamp with spare batteries<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Paracord (50 ft. minimum)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Compact first aid kit<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Additional optional items: sunscreen, bug repellent, trekking poles, gloves, and sunglasses. Food must be limited to 5000 calories for the expedition portion to simulate real survival situations.<\/p>\n Expert instruction by a Wilderness First Responder and licensed HAM Radio operator<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Potable water will be available at basecamp<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Students may tent or hammock camp during the expedition<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Evenings will include group discussions and story sharing<\/p>\n<\/li>\n No meals provided\u2014bring your own food, snacks, and energy sources<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Firearms, alcohol, and drugs are strictly prohibited<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Students assume personal liability for injury or incident<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Participants must remain committed through the expedition\u2014leaving early compromises group safety and will not be permitted<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Be prepared for an emotionally and physically challenging experience that will test your limits and grow your capacity for self-reliance<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n This survival expedition offers more than just skill-building. It\u2019s a powerful journey into the wild that strengthens your awareness, adaptability, and connection to nature. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, backcountry traveler, aspiring survivalist, or bushcraft learner, STEP will give you the real-world skills, confidence, and mindset to venture deeper, push farther, and live more intentionally in the outdoors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" STEP (Survival Training Expedition Program) offers a transformative four-day wilderness adventure through Colorado\u2019s rugged landscapes, where participants deepen their connection to nature while building essential survival skills. Guided by experienced instructors, this immersive program equips outdoor enthusiasts with practical techniques like fire-building, water disinfection, edible plant foraging, primitive shelter construction, and navigation without GPS\u2014all while carrying minimal gear. Designed to challenge your endurance and foster resilience, the course culminates in a solo overnight experience where participants put their newfound skills to the test. With a focus on creativity, and personal growth, STEP inspires confidence and self-reliance, preparing you for future backcountry adventures with courage and capability.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":3464,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[66,63,57,59],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-3461","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-survival","7":"product_cat-adventure-retreats","8":"product_cat-course","9":"product_cat-immersion-courses","11":"first","12":"instock","13":"featured","14":"purchasable","15":"product-type-variable"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thesurvivaluniversity.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/3461","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thesurvivaluniversity.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thesurvivaluniversity.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thesurvivaluniversity.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3461"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thesurvivaluniversity.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3464"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thesurvivaluniversity.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3461"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thesurvivaluniversity.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_brand?post=3461"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thesurvivaluniversity.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=3461"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thesurvivaluniversity.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_tag?post=3461"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Duration:<\/strong> 5 Days \/ 4 Nights
Student Limit:<\/strong> 15 Participants<\/p>\n
The Survival Training Expedition Program (STEP) is a 5-day immersive backcountry survival course designed for adventurers, backpackers, bushcrafters, and outdoor practitioners who want to take their skills to the next level. Held in the rugged wilderness of Colorado, this course combines survival training and physical challenge in a self-reliant expedition setting. You\u2019ll hike through diverse terrain\u2014dense pine forests, exposed ridgelines, rocky gulches, and stream crossings\u2014learning to survive with minimal gear and maximum resilience.<\/p>\nSurvival Training Highlights<\/h3>\n
\n
Course Structure and Phases<\/h3>\n
Orientation, gear check, safety briefing, and skills workshops on self-aid, fire craft, emergency shelters, and water procurement.<\/p>\n
Multi-day hiking expedition into off-grid valleys and gulches with hands-on training in foraging, navigation, natural shelter-building, and primitive food procurement.<\/p>\n
Scout and select your own camp location. Apply all learned skills during a solo overnight experience. Rejoin the group for reflection, feedback, and post-expedition skills review.<\/p>\nRequirements to Attend<\/h3>\n
\n
Gear List<\/h3>\n
\n
What to Expect<\/h3>\n
\n
Important Participation Guidelines<\/h3>\n
\n
Why Join STEP?<\/h3>\n