Discover safety, survival skills, and outdoor fun for the whole family! This course reveals how people survive in the desert’s weather extremes. Take a short hike, build your own survival kit, and learn the fundamentals of map reading, first aid, and more!

This class is held at Black Rock, with the classroom portion taking place in the Black Rock Nature Center education room.
This youth and family activity is suitable for ages 5 and older. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Anyone may attend! No expertise or experience is required.
No park pass is required.
Materials for a build-your-own survival kit are provided.
No meals or equipment are provided.

The indoor portion of this class is ADA accessible. It requires very little travel with ADA accommodations, such as accessible parking, available.

The outdoor portion is leisurely and can be modified to accommodate participants. It requires less than 2 miles of walking with shade, seating, consistent terrain, and little to no elevation gain. Please email desertinstitute@joshuatree.org if you need specific accommodations.

BOGO & Student Discount
Get a second ticket for free when you register for Adventure Ready! or Hit the Trail! Use the discount to bring a fellow adventurer or to attend both classes yourself. You'll receive the BOGO code at the email you use to register.

Current students get 20% off all Desert Institute classes. Combine the BOGO and student discount for extra savings! Email desertinstitute@joshuatree.org to claim a student discount.

Instructor Mike Medina: Mike Medina has 40 years of experience as a field biologist, natural resource specialist, and instructor/lecturer. In 2022, he retired from the Navy and began volunteering and teaching with the Desert Institute, as well as being a staff naturalist. Mike is also a Joshua Tree National Park volunteer field and nursery / herbarium technician for the Vegetation Management branch and Preventative Search and Rescue team member.

Photo credit: NPS/Jesmira Bonoan

Contact the host of Adventure Ready! Preparing for Outdoor Adventures With the Whole Family

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