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Beyond the Campground: Your First Overland Weekend
Empowered to go farther, smarter
Drivers Ed Meets Summer Camp
Start your overland journey with experts by your side. If you’re new to your van or RV, and the idea of driving it anywhere beyond your driveway is intimidating, this event is for you.
Whether you're worried about city streets, leveling, power, or even dumping your tanks for the first time, we'll guide you through it all in a safe, supportive, small-group setting.
3 Days, 2 Nights | Only 5 Vans Accepted
This isn't a rally or a big group campout. It’s a highly personalized, hands-on course for those who are brand new to overlanding.
Prefer a one-day event that offers the core essentials? See our One Day Off Grid training course options.
What You'll Learn
- Drive, park, and reverse with confidence
- Boondock like an expert without hookups
- Manage power, water, and waste in your exact van or RV
- Prepare healthy meals without a microwave or packaged foods
- Understand your rig’s systems (solar, batteries, plumbing, etc.)
- Hands-on confidence to plan and execute van-based overland adventures
- Build connections with fellow beginners to caravan with afterward
What’s Included
- Hands-on coaching for your exact rig
- 5 fully guided drive segments with on-road and off-road instruction
- 3 chef-prepared meals per day (bring your own snacks and beverages)
- 1:1 systems walkthrough (electrical, plumbing, waste, solar)
- Campsite setup support: leveling, security, power management
- 2 nights of scenic off-grid camping at a private locations
- Pre-event packing list and essential tool list
- Custom event t-shirt for each attendee
- Small group attention (max 5 vans / 10 people)
- Post-event 1:1 consult (within 2 weeks) to answer any additional questions
Location: Snoqualmie Pass, WA
Stay close to home! Just one hour from Seattle, our hand-picked boondocking sites on Snoqualmie Pass offers beautiful views, easy access, and wide open space. No tight RV park turns, no hookups, no airing down. Fresh mountain air, level ground, and room to learn.
Exact location and arrival instructions will be provided upon registration.
Who Should Attend?
- Anyone with a new van or RV who wants to be more familiar with their rig
- First-time campers intimidated by large vehicle driving
- No specific upgrades needed, this course is appropriate for any van on stock suspension and tires.
Skill Level: Complete beginner. No experience required
Vehicle Requirements: Stock van, Class B RV, or AWD adventure van with standard clearance. No special gear required.
Schedule Overview
Day 1
- Meet at a convenient location for all participants, run through some travel basics like effective communication on the trail, trail etiquette, and driving skills for big vehicles
- Caravan to Campsite #1 with assisted parking
-
Camp setup for safety, comfort & efficiency while creating a fun atmosphere
- Deep dive and Q&A into your unique van
- Power management (solar, alternator, inverter basics)
- Fire building and cooking with a portable smoker
Day 2
- Group breakfast
- Emergency preparedness and basic self-recovery techniques using recovery boards
- Field exercises & systems demos
- What to inspect, stow, and test before you leave any boondocking site
- Lunch provided
- Driving skills training (paved and unpaved)
- Travel to Campsite #2, using learned techniques
- Enjoy the space! Bring your paddle boards, yard games, and have fun
- Van systems (power, water, heat, AC, troubleshooting)
- Group dinner, campfire & stargazing
Day 3
- Breakfast
- Final Q&A on vehicle handling, trail etiquette, or reversing techniques
- Building your first solo route and boondocking experience
- Finding water, dump stations, and safe overnight spots
- Pack-up help & debrief, group photo
- Optional guided caravan departure
Support Team: Includes on-site assistant and safety coordinator.
Why Choose This Course?
This isn’t a typical campout or festival. We created this experience because we saw too many new van owners who were too nervous to drive, too unsure to camp. We want to change that.
We keep the group small. We make sure you’re seen. We meet you where you are. And we help you fall in love with your vehicle, your independence, and the road ahead.
This isn’t a course about getting rescued. It’s a course about never needing rescue because you’ll develop the skills, confidence, and knowledge to handle situations yourself.
From campsite selection to driving techniques, battery and power management, self-recovery basics, cooking, camp setup, and solo or group camping dynamics, this course prepares you to enjoy the overlanding lifestyle independently and safely.
You’ll also connect with other new adventurers, many of whom become future trail partners and lifelong friends.
About Your Pack Leaders
What if your van builder had already lived your dream? And survived your worse case scenario?
25+ years off-road recovery experience with overland vehicles, living in vans, boats, RVs, and expedition vehicles traveling off-grid, in all conditions.
40+ years combined camping experience from casual car camping to serious wilderness expeditions.
Survival, medical response, and field operations expertise. Skills honed over decades of training and real-world application.
15+ years of professional van building personally designing and constructing custom expedition vehicles for off-road travel and long-term living.
Our training is built from experience earned the hard way: on trails, in storms, and thousands of nights under the stars.
Interested in Private Coaching?
Frequently Asked Questions
Each Wolf Pack event is intentionally capped at a small number of vehicles (usually 5–10) to ensure a personal, high-quality experience. Registration is first come, first served.
We welcome Sprinter vans, adventure vans, Class B RVs, small overland builds, and similar adventure vehicles. Specific requirements are listed in each event description. Feel free to reach out if you're unsure whether your setup is a fit.
Yes! Passengers and partners are welcome unless otherwise noted for a specific event. We encourage bringing someone to share the experience.
In general, well-behaved dogs are welcome at most events. However, some locations or activities (like certain state parks, recovery trainings, or wildlife areas) may have restrictions. Pet policies will be clearly listed per event.
Wolf Pack events are designed to run rain or shine. We believe real adventure includes real conditions. In cases of extreme, unsafe weather (such as wildfires, floods, or severe storms), we will reschedule or refund as needed.
A packing list and tools list will be provided after registration, customized for each event. Expect to bring basics like food, water, fuel, sleeping setup, recovery gear (where applicable), appropriate clothing, and basic van necessities.
Some events include group meals or community cookouts; others are self-catered. Details are listed on each event page. We encourage participants to bring their own essentials regardless to stay self-reliant.
Due to the small group sizes and advanced planning, Wolf Pack event registrations are non-refundable within 30 days of the event. However, if you need to cancel earlier, or if we must reschedule due to weather or emergencies, we’ll work with you fairly.
Perfect! Our events are designed to help beginners and intermediate adventurers build real skills and confidence. No ego, no judgment, just growth.
If you can comfortably walk around a campground, crouch, lift light gear, and hike short distances on uneven ground, you’ll be fine. We adjust our pace to the group. No extreme hiking or climbing required.
Yes! Attendees of Wolf Pack events are invited to join future trips, advanced courses, and exclusive experiences.
