Learn the Skills of the North Woods Winter
Winter Travel: The Native Americans have used snowshoes for thousands of years. It’s the best way to travel and explore the bush country in the winter.

Winter Shelter: A warm shelter is the key to enjoying frigid nights of the North. Shelters taught are the thermal shelter, the snow piled quinzhee and the igloo.

Winter Camping: Camping in the snow is more than just summer camping with more clothes! Techniques and behavior are taught which will increase your enjoyment and safety and will add to your overall camping skills.

Let’s face it, most of us cram our outdoor Scouting activities into a very few months when it’s warm out and the Scouts are not on summer vacation. We do this because it’s COLD outside in the winter. Brrrr...makes you shiver just thinking about it!

What if you found out all the tricks of the trade to stay as comfortable in the winter as you do any other time of year? What if you discovered how to THRIVE in the winter outdoors, how to really enjoy all that cold weather camping can provide?

Things like no bugs, no crowded campsites, lots of fun.

Two Opportunities to Learn and Practice Winter Weather Camping

1. OKPIK - Initial training for outdoor weather camping. Open to everyone who wants to learn about prepping for a winter outing.
2. OKPIK/Attavik - Practical experience held once every three years.​ Come practice your skills in a supported environment with experienced leaders. (Keep Scrolling down to learn more!)

OKPIK is the key:
Next Course is Jan 26 - Jan 28

OKPIK, the Inuit word for snowy owl, is a “Classroom Style” training experience designed to make you, the adult leader, aware of the physiological and psychological aspects of winter camping, as well as the great variety of winter camping equipment that’s available. This training will give you the skills and confidence to lead a winter campout and ensure a safe and fun experience for all. 

You’ll learn from the area’s experts! You’ll have a great time finding out how to travel easily in the snow. You’ll see how to build a winter shelter. You’ll learn the proper techniques for winter camping. You’ll also learn about cold weather health concerns, proper food, clothing, how to make your own clothing and gear, and a lot more. You’ll have a great time, eat lots of great food, and get the chance to try your hand at a variety of outdoor winter activities.

OKPIK Provides:

• Limited amounts of snowshoes, winter shelter (for overnight experience), supplemental Clothing and sleeping gear for added winterizing (preferably bring your own)
• An Advisor kit with handouts of suggested equipment lists and tips on preparing for your winter experiences
• Great food!
• Expert instruction
• Hands-on experience
• The coveted OKPIK pocket patch!

Bring the following for OKPIK:

• Warm personal clothing: Be prepared for a 3-hour outdoor session in January.
• Long underwear, wool socks, wool or synthetic shirt and sweater (no cotton).
• Fleece or wool pants (plus shell) or 2 pair pants, 1 that fits over the other if possible).
• Warm winter jacket.
• Insulated waterproof boots and a pair of shoes or boots to wear indoors (other than sneakers or casual shoes).
• Winter mittens and or gloves (wool).
• Winter hat (wool or fleece).
• Face Mask (optional).
• Sunglasses.
• Sleeping bag & pillow (plus ground pad if sleeping outdoors).
• Any personal items you normally use including medication.
• BSA Medical Form (Parts A & C)

Participants will receive a final packing list in advance of the course.

Attend OKPIK and experience a whole new world of outdoor fun for you and your Scouts! OKPIK is taught primarily in an indoor classroom environment. Although there is a three-hour Round Robin outdoor session on Saturday afternoon, the course will be an intensive, fact-filled weekend, covering the physiological and psychological aspects of winter camping.

OKPIK/Attavik
Next Course is FEB 24-25, 2024

Close your eyes. The air is cold and you hear a gentle rush of wind. You are warm because you are appropriately dressed for the weather conditions and your level of activity. You and your patrol mates have just returned from a hike and are ready for some food. As snowflakes brush your nose, you hear the water on the stove begin to boil and are looking forward to a nice hot meal. It’s February and you’re near the Fawn Haven lean-to in the high hills of the J. Warren Cutler Scout Reservation. Does it get any better than this? Probably not. 

You’re here to complete the journey you began when you decided to become a better winter camper. Listening and watching was one thing but doing and applying what you learn at Okpik really brings the instruction home. You’ll gain the confidence to teach your Scouts how not to just survive but thrive in the winter. There are sights and sounds that you get at no other time of year.

The personal accomplishment of the Okpik/Attavik course is rewarding but you’re really here because you’re really looking forward to sharing the winter camping experience with your Scouts.

Okpik/Attavik Provides:

• Limited amounts of snowshoes, winter shelter (for overnight experience), supplemental clothing and sleeping gear for added winterizing (preferably bring your own)
• An Advisor kit with handouts of suggested equipment lists and tips on preparing for your winter experience.
• Great food, because you bought and cooked it.
• Expert instruction
• Hands-on experience
• The highly coveted OKPIK pocket patch!

Bring the following for Okpik/Attavik:

• Long underwear, socks, shirts, and sweaters (synthetic or wool that wicks!)
• Fleece or wool pants (plus shell) or 2 pair pants, 1 that fits over the other if possible). Please no blue jeans or cotton pants.
• Waterproof winter coat or shell.
• Insulated waterproof boots and a pair of shoes or boots to wear in the leanto and lodge.
• Winter hat, and mittens or gloves (wool or fleece, waterproof shell).
• Face mask or neck gaiter that you can pull up over your nose.
• Sunglasses.
• Sleeping bag, pillow and ground pads.
• Tent, bivvy, hammock, tarps.
• Pulk or lightweight sled with tarp & rope
• Cook gear and stove.
• Any personal items you normally use including medication.
• BSA Medical Form (Parts A & B)

Participants will receive a final packing list in advance of the course.

!!! MANDATORY !!!

We will have a shakedown meeting in advance of the course. Information will be released as we get closer.

Questions about OKPIK or OKPIK/Attavik?

Send us an e-mail at okpik@senecawaterways.org.