How do I get to Camp Savoy? Once you arrive in Cheboygan, Michigan, you've
already accomplished the hard part of your trip. However, you may want to consider arriving the day/night before
your 'adventure' begins at either motel that's recommended. You'll have a phone number provided
before the class to arrange a meet up.
Can I bring more than what is noted on the 'adventure' list like extra clothes? The list provided to each student
(depending on the adventure chosen) is a minimum that is necessary for the particular 'adventure'. If a change
of clothes is desired, that's fine. Remember, you'll be carrying everything you bring on your back where ever we go on the
property.
What about extra food, i.e. protein bars, peanut butter, soup, steaks or other kinds of comfort? The Basic Woodscraft adventure is the only course
where we provide an actual 'meal'. All other adventures have survival rations of 1000 calories a per day and one gallon
(total) of purified water is provided as a 'starter' for each student. If you must supplement your rations for medical/health
reasons, we recommend protein bars with 22 grams of protein, small tubes of peanut butter, jerky, or a bag or two of a nut
based trail mix. There are no appliances to keep food fresh, so preparing food is out.
No coolers, etc. You will be drinking water you purify during the day and building fires without accelerants.
You may want to consider bringing a few beef or chicken bullion cubes which will provide extra energy or a soup base for edible
plants or, if you have a non-resident small game license for Michigan and bring your .22, you may supplement your ration with
fresh squirrel or other in season small game (DNR regs provide all relevant information on licensing and seasons).
You will also be taught how to make a wild "salad" by an instructor.
Should I bring a sleeping bag? Yes, if you wish, you may bring and use a sleeping
bag. Weather is unpredictable, but typically you won't need much, but you have to carry it on your back or in your
pack. Having a Gortex brand or other waterproof cover may be helpful in case of rain (which can be heavy at
times).
How
do you manage privacy for the female students? For bathroom needs, during the classroom portion only, which is held at the main
camp site, there will be a privy set up for general use of both male and female students. Once into the application
portion of the adventure chosen, all students will need to find a private area (not too awfully hard as we're in the middle
of 106 acres of forest surrounded by 31,000 acres of wilderness) and make their own latrine in accordance with the principles
taught. For clothes changing and so on, once into the application, students will need to find an area of thick
trees (again, not too difficult) and do whatever they need to do.
You said that every student should have everything on your list.
I am attending with a training partner. Do we need separate items, or can we share? We have some things that are similar,
for example, I have a hatchet, and my partner has a small camp saw. That's fine. You're a team. Most things will work well that way. However,
individual things like knifes and multi-tools, etc, are a different matter.
Will our cell phones work in case family needs to get in touch? If
not, is there a number for them to call in an emergency? There is one place on the property in the main camp that cell phones have fair reception.
If there is an emergency where your family needs to get ahold of you, a phone number will be provided for message taking
and relay. We ask that you tell your family members to only initiate contact for bonafide emergencies.
We usually have no problem with folks "checking in" with their families at the end of the day from the main camp
'active' cell phone area.
What time do we need to be there on Thursday, and what time does the course
end on Sunday. Basically, classroom instruction starts about 10:00 AM on Thursday
(the early morning is for travel and 'settling in' and ends about 11:00 AM on Sunday.
Most folks like to come in on Wednesday night, have a "last meal" and night in a
real bed with a real bathroom (especially the women), which is why we recommend the two motels.
What about transport of our 'survival'
firearms? You
are responsible for compliance with your local laws and the laws of Michigan while transporting your firearms. If you
live out of Michigan, check
Michigan's laws as well as your own state's carefully. If you are a Michigan resident, Michigan
law allows you to transport any firearm in the trunk of your vehicle provided it is unloaded, in a closed/locked case and
the ammo is stored separately. The course allows for the use of either handguns or rifles (provided it is a .22 or a
small guage shotgun (.410, 20 ga)).
If I get a small game license, should I have it start on the first or second day of class? The one I'm looking at
is only good for three days. It's your call. The first day is primarily class room 'how to's', so you won't have a lot of time to supplement
your ration.