University of Maine: Primitive Challenge

This immersion in primitive living and survival will require you to rely on skills and leadership developed during this week as your camping gear is taken away a bit at a time. You’ll learn to work as a group, making a natural shelter, starting a fire with friction, cooking in the backcountry, and more. Find out more!

For two weeks, campers will learn and apply skills necessary for primitive living. Once they learn and have practiced basic survival techniques, their camping gear is taken away so that they can apply those techniques in the real world. They will be expected to collaborate with fellow campers and help each other as they navigate the outdoors. Moreover, they'll learn to start a fire with friction, make a natural shelter, cook in the backcountry, and much more! At the very end of the program, campers will participate in a 24-hour survival challenge. During this challenge, they will be given a knife, a piece of cordage, and basic food. 

Since this program can be challenging, it is required that campers attend the Primitive Skills or Primitive Living camp prior to applying for this program.