Preparing the experienced canoeist for solo expeditions in remote wilderness environments. Level 3 Engagé Certification Course.

Course Calendar     Register Now

Prerequisite: Completion of the JMBS Wilderness Canoe Expedition Semester (WCES) or the JMBS Wilderness Bushcraft Semester.
Note: When you register you will be sent a Paypal invoice from the instructor. Please do not send a check or Paypal funds – wait for the invoice.

We’ve had two Engagé certification levels since 2020.
Level 1 is focused on the skills, techniques and background knowledge of paddling, poling, lining and carrying.
Level 2 builds on these skills while taking the student into the realm of rapidly moving water.
Level 3 (the focus of this course) will focus on the skills needed to successfully plan and execute multi-day Solo wilderness canoe expeditions.

What This Course Is About
First we’re going to be focused on soloing, so each student will be in their own boat. We want the student to start thinking about what it means when no one is there to help you. Sure you can carry a GPS but you’ll be less likely to press the SOS button if you can handle the situation confidently.
So this will be a deeper dive into Trip Planning, Navigation, Map Reading, Route Selection, Scouting, Self-Aid/First-Aid, Canoe and Equipment Repair, Gear and Equipment Selection, etc.
While you can expect the regular amount of great times we have here at Jack Mountain, don’t expect to get your hand held. The Instructors will always provide their best guidance and instruction, but what they won’t be doing is looking over your shoulder. In the past the question of testing for Certification has been left to the student. In the Engage 3 Solo Course that won’t be an option. In order to accomplish the course you’ll have to accomplish the skills.

Topics Covered, Specific To Solo Expeditioning

• Trip planning: Maps and satellite imagery, Route selection, Evacuation sites, Safety plan, etc.
• Navigation
• Wilderness Medicine, STOP THE BLEED®
• Tools: Safe use of axe, knife and saw
• Cold Water Immersion, associated risks, how to manage
• Wet weather fire
• Knots
• Canoe and equipment field repair
• Canoe and equipment retrieval
• Self-rescue in big water
• Self-rescue in moving water

Is this Course Physically difficult?
While we will be taking a short but challenging trip during the course we won’t be focused on the physicality of remote Canoe expeditions. Our focus will be on the knowledge needed for planning, preparation and execution of remote wilderness canoe expeditions. The second phase (we hope), will be you planning and carrying out a canoe expedition in a new area or exploring your own local rivers and lakes.

Students Who Complete The Course Will Receive

• Jack Mountain Bushcraft School Engagé Level 3 Solo Certification
• STOP THE BLEED® certification

Instructors

• Rick Swain, Registered Maine Guide
• Andres “Oz” Ospina
• Tim Smith

The course runs from Sunday afternoon to Saturday morning. Maximum group size is 5.

Course Prep Info     Register Now

Travel Information and Directions:   Travel information is located here. After you register you will receive local driving directions to our site.

Arrival and Departure:   Plan to arrive on sunday afternoon, between 4 and 6. We’ll have dinner, a group introduction and a tour of the grounds starting at 6. The course is over on Saturday at 8 AM.

Accommodations:   Bring a tent, tarp, or other shelter. It will be your home for the week. For summer programs please consider bringing a bug net if you don’t have noseeum netting on your tent. There are also cabins available through Blackwater Outfitters, located five minutes away. They can be reached at: 207-540-4101.

Meals:   For information on food and meals, visit our Food and meals page.

Cancellation and Refund Policies:   Please visit our School Policies page for information on all of our policies.

What is included with the tuition:   Included in the tuition are all camping fees, instruction and group gear.

What is not included with the tuition:   Not included with the tuition are personal gear, items from town and any foods other than those specified on the Food and meals page.

Course Insurance:   Adventure travel and wilderness education are not inexpensive, and anything can happen when we’re in the bush. We recommend that all participants have medical insurance. We also recommend you protect your investment with travel insurance for trips and tuition insurance for courses.

Tobacco:   Smoking is not permitted in or near any buildings. All cigarette butts are to be placed into the metal can provided.

Vehicles and Parking:  We’re located .6 miles down a gravel road. During the winter and spring the road can be impassable for 2-wheel drive vehicles, and sometimes for any vehicles other than snow machines.

Telephone: We don’t have a phone or electricity. If you need to be in constant phone contact please consider bringing a cell phone, and if you need to charge a phone (or other electronic device), please look into getting a charger or bringing extra batteries.

Other: Please don’t bring any pets, alcohol or illegal drugs.

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

We reserve the right to include or omit any of the course topics listed due to class interest, availability of materials, inclement weather, or other factor that makes them impractical or unsafe.