A Weekend of Disaster-Proofing, Preparedness, Self-Sufficiency & Learning in the Woods

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📅 Friday, October 16 – Sunday, October 18, 2026
📍 Wintergreen Springs | White Cloud, Michigan

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What would happen if you suddenly had to leave home, with only what you could carry? 

 

Can you evaluate an unfolding disaster - know when, how, and where to ride it out, keeping yourself, and your people, safe? 

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Do you know where and how to take shelter? Could you find and purify water? Build a fire in the rain? Maintain necessary hygiene without facilities? Solve unexpected problems when you don't have any of the resources you're used to having? 

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Are you confident in your ability to successfully figure things out, under pressure, on the fly? 

If you’re like most people, the answer is NO. Nobody ever gave you these skills. 

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And Winter is Coming…

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That's why we created the Backwoods BYO Bug Out:  to give you the Peace of Mind that comes with mastering the Universal Survival Formula: Understand, Overcome, Repeat. 

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*What’s up with the name?

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Backwoods, because it's in a private forest preserve of over two hundred acres, surrounded by tens of thousands of acres of National Forest. This is real wilderness.

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BYO because you Bring Your Own gear, try it out in a real-world, judgment-free zone, get all the help you need to master it, decide whether to pitch, keep or upgrade, and learn about all the different types of gear others use, and even how to improvise necessities - created from scratch in the field. 

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Bug Out because eventually, every single spot on earth will get its turn being the worst possible place to be. If you happen to be standing on that spot, when that day comes, you'll want to be able to evaluate the situation, decide when to get "off X", how far & fast to go - in which direction - and how to make it all work out for you, and anyone who depends on you. That's probably the most important part of what we teach - a Big Picture understanding of disaster itself, how to evaluate it, and how to survive it. 

 

 

🥾 DESIGNED FOR YOU

Backwoods BYO Bug Out is designed for people at all levels of experience.

 

Maybe you're a single mom who has just started thinking about preparedness and becoming more self-sufficient.

 

Maybe you're someone who always wanted to learn basic wilderness skills but haven't known where to begin.

 

Maybe you've got a bug-out bag sitting in your closet, or trunk, and have never actually tested what's inside it.

 

Maybe you're a seasoned prepper, an experienced outdoorsperson—or a military veteran, or first responder—who wants to dust-off some skills and spend a weekend putting them back into practice. 

 

Everyone belongs here.

 

You don't need expensive equipment.

You don't need years of experience.

You don't need to know what you're doing before you arrive.

 

Bring your own experience. Bring your questions. Bring your curiosity. And have some fun! 

 

 

🔥 LEARN. PRACTICE. HAVE SOME ‘AHA!’ MOMENTS.

Throughout the weekend, we'll have a structured schedule of (included but not mandatory) hands-on mini classes, guided exercises, practical training, and opportunities to practice with your own gear. 

 

Topics will include:

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💧 Water Purification
🔥 Fire Building
🧼 Field Hygiene & Sanitation
🧠 Emergency Problem-Solving & Decision Making
🏕️ Shelter & Outdoor Skills
🎒 Bug-Out Bags & Gear
🌲 Wilderness & Self-Sufficiency Skills
…and more.

 

Bring your own bug-out bag, equipment, tools, and gadgets if you have them.

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You'll actually use them.

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This is your chance to find out what works, what doesn't, what you're missing, and what you might be lugging around that you don't really need.

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🎒 DON'T HAVE A BUG-OUT BAG? COME ANYWAY!

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Basic camping gear is all that's needed. (Recommended gear list below.) No need to buy a bunch of fancy new gear before this event.

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You can learn skills, explore different equipment, and get hands-on experience with things you may not have used before, as well as learn about what other people are using, and get their honest reviews. 

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Come with what you have—or don't have—and learn what you actually need before spending money on things you may never use. 

 

 

🧠 PREPAREDNESS IS ABOUT MORE THAN SKILLS.

Knowing how to build a fire, or purify water, is vital. But THE most important preparedness skill is learning how to quickly, accurately evaluate a threat, and make the right decisions with the information and resources you have at the moment. 

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Throughout the weekend, you'll face diverse disaster scenarios; learn to recognize what they ALL have in common; how to quickly break them down into prioritized, solvable problems; make sound decisions; adapt to changing circumstances; and understand what needs to happen next. 

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In the US military, we learn that “NO plan survives contact with the enemy.”  That’s why we teach you how to immediately see beyond plans and preparations, and analyze the very nature of any threat; how to face it, and systematically mitigate each aspect of the danger. 

 

 

🌿 YOU CHOOSE YOUR LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION.

Backwoods BYO Bug Out isn't a competition, and there's no single way you're expected to participate.

Want to attend every class and soak up everything you can?

 

Do it.

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Want to choose a few classes and spend the rest of your time enjoying the property?

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Absolutely.

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Want to try things independently with minimal assistance?

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Go for it.

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Want someone to walk beside you and explain things step-by-step?

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We're here for you.

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Experienced participants are encouraged to share what they know. Beginners are encouraged to ask questions.

 

We all have something to learn—and something to teach.

 

 

🌲 WHAT WILL THE WEEKEND LOOK LIKE?

You'll arrive Friday afternoon, set up your campsite, meet the staff & other participants, get oriented to Wintergreen Springs, and gather around the group fire before calling it a night.

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Saturday will be our primary skill-building day, with hands-on sessions covering preparedness and wilderness skills, along with plenty of time to explore, experiment with your gear, socialize, and enjoy the property.

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Evenings around the fire will be another chance to debrief, ask questions, share experiences, and learn from the skills and knowledge that our instructors, and other participants bring to the group. 

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There will also be an optional guided night hike for those who want to experience more of Wintergreen Springs after dark. 

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Sunday will focus on community, sharing resources, reflection, and putting what we've learned into perspective before we pack up and take home our new skills and experiences - and maybe even some new friendships! 

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You'll have structure when you want it, freedom when you want it, and plenty of opportunities to learn from the people around you.

 

 

🌲 THIS IS A TRUE OFF-GRID EXPERIENCE.

Wintergreen Springs is **truly off-grid.**

 

There is:

No running water.
No electricity.
Unreliable cell service.

 

We will provide:

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💧 Drinking water for you to refill your containers
💧 Water for washing
🚽 Composting toilets
☕ Hot black coffee in the mornings
🔥 Two community fire pits for cooking
📻 Radios for event communication and emergencies

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If you already have a radio, you're welcome to bring it and participate on our designated event channel—but please don't purchase one specifically for this event. You’ll have opportunities to try out various types.  

 

Beyond what we provide, this is **rustic, primitive camping.**

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It is just you, your gear, a bonfire, crisp autumn air, moon & stars, forest sounds, the woods, timid plentiful wildlife, and a vast, beautiful private property surrounded by the sprawling Manistee National Forest. 

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It's a transcendent experience that very few people ever get to have.

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🔥 FIRE SAFETY

For wildfire safety, fires & smoking are permitted only in the two designated community fire pits.

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There will be no fires, smoking, or other sources of ignition allowed elsewhere on the property.

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🌦️ WATCH THE WEATHER

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**Michigan weather can turn on a dime! This event is Rain Or Shine! **

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Avg Temp: Wintergreen Spring's October 2026 forecast shows daily high temperatures ranging from 46° to 72°, with overnight lows between 26° and 50°. The average high for October is 59° with an average low of 40°.

 

October can bring glorious fall days, cold nights, rain, wind, and just about anything in between. Please check the weather regularly as the event approaches and come prepared for changing conditions.

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We especially recommend bringing rain gear, warm layers, fleece-lined long johns, and extra blankets or a quilt in addition to your sleeping bag to keep you dry & cozy in or out of your tent. (See Packing List recommendations, below.)

 

 

🎒 WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

Bring what you have. We'll help you figure out the rest.

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You'll want to be prepared to spend two nights in rustic, primitive, off-grid conditions.

 

Bring:

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• ⛺ Shelter and sleeping gear

• 🛏️ Sleeping bag plus extra blankets or a quilt

• 🥶 Warm clothing and layers appropriate for October

• 🧦 Warm base layers/fleece-lined long johns

• 🥾 Sturdy footwear

• 🌧️ Rain gear

• 🔦 Flashlight or headlamp

• 🎒 Daypack or backpack

• 💧 Water bottle or hydration container

• 🍽️ Your own food and personal eating/cooking supplies

• 🧼 Personal hygiene supplies

• 🦟 Personal insect/tick protection

• 🗑️ Garbage/trash bags (pack it in, pack it out)

• 🪑 Camp chair, if desired

• 🔥 Any camping, preparedness gear, or gadgets you'd like to use or test

 

Participants are responsible for their own food. Two community fire pits will be available for cooking hot food, but they are shared, so plan accordingly. (There are also restaurants within a 15-20 minute drive, in a pinch. We don’t judge!)  ;)

 

And remember: we are completely off-grid. There are no electrical hookups.

 

 

🎒 HAVE EXTRA GEAR?

Bring it!

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We'll have a 'Leave an Item, Take an Item' table throughout the weekend.

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Have a camping gadget you never use?
Extra gear sitting in a closet?
Something you've outgrown or simply don't need anymore?

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Bring it along and leave it on the table.

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See something there you'd like to try?

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Take it!

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The idea is simple:

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Share what you don't need with someone who might.

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Participation is completely optional.

 

 

🌿 SUNDAY COMMUNITY BARTER TABLE

We'll also have an optional community Barter Table on Sunday.

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Have something you've made, grown, gathered, crafted, or created?

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Bring it!

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Handmade crafts, jewelry, artwork, foraged herbs, preserves, handmade goods, or something else you'd like to share.

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No money changes hands.

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You don't always need money to get what you need. Sometimes you just need something someone else wants more than you do. Bartering is an ancient, critical survival skill, the world around and one that quickly returns after every disaster. Practicing it is a great idea!

 

 

🤝 THIS IS ABOUT COMMUNITY, TOO.

Preparedness is more than just what you can stuff in a pack. It encompasses skills, resourcefulness, adaptability, confidence—and people, too.

 

The person who knows how to purify water may learn something from the person who knows how to repair a piece of gear.

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A veteran may have decades of experience to share with someone who is just beginning.

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And the person who is brand new may ask the question everyone else was afraid to ask.

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That's the kind of community we're hoping to build at Backwoods BYO Bug Out.

 

We learn from one another. We practice together. We share what we know. We help each other become more capable.

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Come as you are, and come ready to learn... and make new friends along the way. 

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💰 REGISTRATION

Adults - 18+: $250

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Military / Veterans / First Responders / Seniors 65+: $200

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Youth - 13-17: $75

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Children 12 & under: FREE (Children must be supervised at all times)

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Registration includes the entire weekend of classes, training, activities, event materials, and primitive camping at Wintergreen Springs Friday and Saturday nights.

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Participants are responsible for their own transportation and food.

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🌲 DON'T LET THE PRICE STOP YOU.

 

We believe everyone should have an opportunity to learn these skills, regardless of their starting point or financial situation.

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If the registration fee is a challenge for you, please reach out to us.

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🎒 BRING TWO, COME FREE

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Bring two paid adult participants and attend free.

​**Your two participants must identify you as their referring person when they register.

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That's one of our ways of encouraging you to bring someone along and start building your preparedness community together.

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Assisting with Wintergreen Springs events or property workdays may earn credit toward attendance fees, and we're open to other creative possibilities.

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If you want to come but aren't sure how to make it work, ask us.

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**In order to keep this an intimate event where everyone is able to get the full experience, we are capping the registration at 14 participants. 

 

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💰 CANCELLATION AND WEATHER POLICY

We understand that sometimes plans change—and Michigan weather can be both unpredictable, and extreme. 

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Because we purchase supplies and make other event-specific arrangements in advance, registration fees are non-refundable if you are unable to attend.

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If something comes up and you can't make it, you have two options:

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🎒 TRANSFER YOUR REGISTRATION
Give your spot to someone else. Just let us know who will be attending in your place.

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🌲 SAVE IT FOR A FUTURE EVENT
We can apply the amount you've paid toward a future Wintergreen Springs event.

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This applies whether your plans change, you decide the weather isn't for you, or something unexpected comes up.

🚨 IF WE HAVE TO CANCEL

If Wintergreen Springs needs to cancel the event because of severe or unsafe weather, an emergency, or circumstances that prevent us from holding the event, you will receive a full refund of your registration fee.

We believe that's the right thing to do. 

🌲 BACKWOODS BYO BUG OUT

October 16–18, 2026
Wintergreen Springs | White Cloud, Michigan

 

Come for the skills. Stay for the experience.

 

Bring what you have.

Learn what you need.
Test what you know.
Share what you can.

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Leave more capable than when you arrived.

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We have a FUN weekend planned for you. Can't wait to see you there!

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Ready to register?

(Insert link here)

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