Primitive Stone Tools, Survival Workshop with Scott Kuipers
Warning: This is an archived page from 2015. We left this info for reference purposes.
Pre-Conference Workshops:
Friday September 18: Noon-5 pm
Cost: $75
Each of the Workshops will be limited to about 20 students in order to provide an intimate learning environment.
#1 Survival Skills
Lead Instructor: Scott Kuipers
Scott is a nationally known instructor of survival and primitive skills. He will be joining us from Santa Fe to teach participants the basics of surviving the unexpected.
Topics that will be covered:
#2 Lost Person Behavior and Search & Rescue Exercise
Lead Instructors: Doug Sward and Carl Solomon
Doug is the Medical Advisor for Maryland Search & Rescue. Carl is President of Maryland Search & Rescue.
The objective of this workshop is to provide an introduction to “Lost Person Behavior” and the techniques used to search for a missing person. We will provide an opportunity for workshop participants to try out Lost Person Behavior and Search Management approaches using a table-top format, to “find” a lost person in the wilderness.
We will then move into a “SAR Mission Incident Base Simulation.” Participants will interact with role players to execute a simulated SAR Mission. The following aspects of this exercise will be covered:
IMPORTANT: There will be a field component to this workshop. Keep an eye on the weather and dress appropriately. We suggest dressing comfortably, but consider wearing (or changing into: long sleeves, hiking boots, rain gear as needed). We will provide a few minutes to change clothes when moving into the field component of the workshop. The terrain for this event includes fields and hardwood forest. Poison ivy, ticks, bees and snakes are possible exposures (as expected in any similar terrain).
#3 Low and High Ropes Course
Lead Instructors: John Rollhauser and Rich Lippy
John is an instructor for Outdoor Emergency Care, Ski Lift Evacuation, Off-Trail Rescue and Mountain Travel & Rescue. He has extensive experience with climbing and ropes rescue systems.
Rich works as a Facilitator at both Ski Liberty and Capital Camps Ropes & Zip Line Courses.
The biggest advantage of this workshop is that you will be in a small group scenario and get personal attention and time with our High and Low Ropes Course. These elements will be available during select times during the main course, but there is a limited amount of time for each registrant to experience the Ropes Course. By signing up for this Workshop, you can use your free time on Saturday and Sunday working on other skills like primitive fire starting.
Low Ropes Course:
We will start with some Team Building exercises so you can get better acquainted with your fellow participants. The Low Ropes Course has 10 major elements and 5 smaller elements. Some examples include:
High Ropes Course:
We will shift gears into the High Ropes Course. We will begin with some basic instruction in Ropes, Harnesses and other Gear. We will spend some time going over basic climbing knots.
The High Ropes Elements: