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The first weeks of the school (if taking a 4 or 5 week class, the two week classes are condensed with no pack trip or first aid certification) will be spent in and around camp going over western horsemanship, cooking procedures, methods and techniques, maintenance of equipment, outdoor skills and first aid. I also like to get "out of the kitchen" with the students to take hikes and view the wildlife. The second to the last week of class each student cooks from a pre-made menu for the guide school students with minimal assistance from me. I will have occasional quizzes over the subjects we cover, just to keep things straight in your mind. We will be covering a lot of information in a few weeks time. The last week will be spent on the pack trip with the guide school students putting your new knowledge to the test and having a great time enjoying the outdoors.
Keep in mind that the school is geared towards preparing students to work for backcountry hunting outfitters. There is a lot of long days and hard work, but hopefully you'll share my drive to do the best you can and have fun. Refer to the curriculum for the subject breakdown.
 I have found when cooking for backcountry outfitters that often times I am needed to doctor livestock, help pack out game, water and feed stock or move the stock for hunters and guides to different pickup and drop off locations: so the area of map and compass, horsemanship and knot tying is important. Please remember that your first and foremost responsibility as camp cook is to have hot meals on the table in a timely fashion with a clean friendly atmosphere. The other comes second if you have any spare time, and believe me; sometimes it is hard to come by!
The cook is the center of any successful operation and he/she can make or break it. It goes without saying that good people skills and a positive attitude are as important as being a great cook. The season can be very long and trying, on the other hand, these times can be some of the best to be had with friends made for a lifetime!
 To give you an idea of salary, of course, it depends on geographic location and experience. You should expect no less than $ 1000 per month to start out with. The outfitter supplies room and board, plus tips are a substantial bonus. Hunting season is the time of year when outfitters make their money so you should not expect to have much time off. Good camp cooks are hard to come by and many with some experience can write "their own ticket"! I look forward to meeting you and sharing my love of this lifestyle. I know we will have a bunch of fun as well as learn a lot. If you have further questions, don't hesitate to email. Good luck to you on your quest for the good life! Sincerely,  Welcome | Outline | Dates & Prices | Additional Info | Class Photos | Past Students Contact Us | Journal | Printable Application | Home | Guide School  |
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