HISTORY  From time immemorial, man has needed to test himself against "the elements". In the early days it was out of necessity, but oftentimes modern man too has the need to face Mother Nature in all her wrath just to prove that it can be done. Some climb Everest; some venture into the Adirondack High Peaks in wintertime; some pitch tents in the snow at Camp Boyhaven. Whatever the level of challenge, a weekend of OKPIK winter camping and survival training is a must!

    "OKPIK" originated in the wilds of Minnesota and the idea has spread country-wide. A couple New Yawkas brought back the training plan, modified it a bit, and have been offering the weekend-long course at Camp Boyhaven for more than a decade. A half dozen winter-camping experts compose the core OKPIK training staff and their reputations have established the Boyhaven OKPIK Training Course as one of the best around. Unit leaders and senior Scouts travel from far and wide to learn wintertime camping and survival skills from the Yetis of Camp Boyhaven.

WHEN’S THE NEXT TRAINING SESSION?  
January 8-9, 2005 at Camp Boyhaven.  

WHAT WILL I LEARN?  Selection of clothing and equipment, dressing in layers ("onionization"), tenting at ten below, cooking skills, orienteering in a "white out", building emergency shelters, cold weather first aid, snow-shoeing, and more.  In a nutshell, how to "stay warm, dry, and well fed" …and alive.  Check out the Daily Schedule and click to see a few photographs from OKPIKs past.  

OK, HOW DO I SIGN UP?  Use the form in the OKPIK Flyer.

WHAT ABOUT TRAINING FOR SCOUTS UNDER AGE 16?  An "OKPIK for YOUTH" training course designed for Scouts in the 13-16 age group will be held in February of 2005 at Woodworth Lake Scout Reservation.   For information and a registration form, see the Flyer.