Enrollment Information

TO APPLY:

Complete the registration form, and email it to us or mail with your deposit information. We prefer payment by e-transfer, please send it to our email. We can also send out a paypal invoice which can be paid with a paypal account or credit card so even if you don’t have a paypal account, you can still pay the invoice. Visa, Mastercard, and Bank Draft are also accepted. The entire deposit is applied towards course fees. All courses have a 30% deposit upon registration with the remainder to be paid upon arrival. Remaining course fee must be PAID IN FULL upon arrival and are collected on first day of course. Make drafts payable to: Karamat Wilderness Ways (We do not accept cheques).

Karamat Wilderness Ways admits students of any gender, race, religion, or ethnic background. We will attempt to accommodate those with disabilities, however, due to the strenuous nature of some activities, not everyone can attend. Please consult with us if you have any questions in this area.

Handouts as Part of the Course

We are now giving out USB sticks with the course information Mors has collected and passed along to the students. It will also contain pictures we take during the course for your memory albums. 8 pocket e-books written by Mors Kochanski will be added to the USB stick.

Meals

Three meals per day are supplied on Extended courses only unless otherwise stated in the course outline. Vegetarian meals are also supplied, however, if you have a special/strict diet, please call Karamat Wilderness Ways. Karamat Wilderness Ways is not responsible for accommodations needed before or after the class or travel to and from the course. Travel arrangements are the STUDENTS responsibility to the course site.

Rates for Young People

Although this is an adult course, children are welcome. Anyone 17 years of age or younger must be accompanied by an adult. It is a full course fee for anyone 15 years of age and older. Anyone 14 years of age or younger, their course fee is half price. What age they are on the first day of course is what we will use.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

Karamat Wilderness Ways reserves the right to cancel courses 10 days prior to the first day of class, due to not enough participants. If this is the case, you will receive a full refund. If you fail to show up for course without any notification, your deposit will be forfeited. If we are not notified of your cancellation within 30 days of the first day of course, your deposit will be forfeited. Refunds for cancellations will have a 3% processing fee.

Responsibility: While every precaution is taken to safeguard you and your belongings, wilderness living skills and survival training by its very nature involves some risk, the responsibility for which has to be totally assumed by the participants. The course participants may be left on occasions. If this is seen as a problem these courses are not for you. Advancement of your registration fee and completed Course Application and Waiver Form will indicate agreement with our terms and conditions of participation.

PROVISIONING:

In the interest of convenience and economical use of course time, provisions may be provided and cooking done as a group (meals included in course fee). Most meals are done in the one pot cooking method. Those with special needs in regard to their diet will likely have to supply and cook their own meals. Groceries can be purchased in Wildwood, a 10 minute drive from the course area.

Accommodation:

The accommodation that is provided are rustic shelter (greenhouse style) heated by a wood stove. As long as the stove is going the shelter can be shirt-sleeve warm in normal winter temperatures. In summer these shelters are usually dry and mosquito proof. If you wish to bring your own accommodation that is fine with us but we do encourage everyone to try out the different shelters we have, especially the super shelter, lean-to, Kochanski Igloo, Harlton Hacenda, etc.

EQUIPMENT/GEAR LIST:

“Dress for the worst and hope for the best.”

Weather varies in Alberta from winter courses at -40C to Summer Courses at +40C. But, it can freeze also on the summer course and have above freezing temperatures on the winter course. Spring and fall courses can be like summer or winter. It can rain or snow at anytime of the year. On the summer course we spend much time in or around water.

A typical course has periods of vigorous activity alternating with sitting down.

Layering: Put on several thin and medium-thick garments to achieve the required loft to keep you warm, (rather than one or two thick layers). The dead air spaces between the layers add to the insulation value and provide greater versatility in controlling overheating. Maximum layers is 5 not including your long underwear.
Blocking Wind: A thin, light wind proof shell will block wind, trap warmed air and shed precipitation.
Control Moisture in contact with the skin: Use poly-propylene or a similar fabric next to the skin. There is now wool undergarments to consider as well.

Changes of clothes if you get wet from either sweating or immersion in water. Having more clothes than necessary is the key. This is an average list for both summer and winter, adjust accordingly.

Head and Neck:

Headgear that prevents the penetration of the strongest wind. A light scarf will be equivalent to a wool sweater in the warmth it can conserve. Summer brimmed hat, head net.

Upper Body:

Polypro or wool long johns.
Wool shirt.
Several wool sweaters.
The fourth layer should appropriate to the expected weather conditions, e.g. wind breaker, rain coat or parka.

Lower Body:

Sanitation layer.
Polypro or wool long johns.
Wool pants.
Wind pants.

Hands:

2-3 pair of wool inner mitts with 2 pair leather outer mitts. (Leather works best)

Footwear:

Any footwear that allows the use of three pairs of wool socks will likely prove satisfactory.

2 pair of footwear with removeable liners works best.
Plenty of wool socks

Gear that is the Responsibility of the Participant:

Clothing suitable for the current conditions. Avoid bringing new clothes (we will be working around the fire). Layering is key.
Sleeping bag rated for at least -20 C.
Sleeping mat or a wool blanket.
Personal toiletries-towel, washcloth
Head Net (summer/fall/spring)
Mess Kit (dishes, cup), water bottle (we also have dishes if you don’t have a mess kit)
Sharp knife (Mora knives can be purchased from Karamat).
If not participating in group cooking, bring your own cooking gear.
Tent or shelter is really not an option right now and we would prefer if you could bring your own shelter.

Optional:

Notebook, pen, camera
Sunglasses

What is provided:

Shelter, these are super shelters and will sleep usually up to 8 people or more and are co-ed (heated in the wintertime). With covid ongoing, we ask that you bring your own shelter if at all possible.
Large cooking pots and dippers.
Saws, axes and class material.
Outhouses-Toilet paper.
Food. We try to accommodate special diets but if you do have problems eating regular fair, you will need to bring your own food. There is no fridge/freezer at camp so please keep that in mind.