How does one survive on Mars?
Living on Mars has to be learnt! Therefore, the 30-day* Mars Survival Camp at Areal 15 in the Midwest of the USA is mandatory for all course participants. Alternatively, you can complete the training at the zoo in the Laola hall. This training prepares you optimally for your stay on the planet next door called Mars. Previous survival knowledge is an advantage but doesn’t replace this course.
Five Steps
- Learning sessions
- Training exercises
- Challenges
- Training for space
- Final exam
Learning sessions
This step is mainly about getting to know the basics of extraterrestrial life on Mars. One of the primary goals is to ensure your survival. In each week we focus on one of the following units:
How to keep yourself warm
- How can one build an emergency shelter from sand, so-called sandcastles?
- Lighting a fire with and without equipment
- Training in cold conditions
Food from nature
- Which grains of sand, stones and blades of grass are edible?
- How can one find water?
- Which animals one can and can’t hunt?
Orientation
- How can one use a map and compass?
- How can one get ones bearing by looking at the grains of sand and the stars?
- A visit at the Megalabyrinth (What to do when you get lost)
Emergencies & First aid
- Basics of first aid
- Differences between Humans and Martians
- Medicinal botany
How to defend yourself
- Basics of close combat
- Lightsabre combat
- New: kidnapping by aliens
Survival psychology
- Stress management
- Stay motivated
- How to deal with Earthsickness (incl. contact details of Ralf)
Training exercises
Each day of the week is concluded with a short practical exam in a team. Some of exercises must be solved alone.
Challenges
At the end of every week, a 1 or 2-day challenge awaits you. The skills and knowledge you have acquired during the week are tested in these challenges. Participation is not mandatory, but it’s an excellent preparation for the final exam.
Training for space
A weightless life is more difficult than you might think, because it’s unusual. In this step of the course, you’ll learn everyday routines like personal hygiene or sleeping and eating while floating. This is also where you can prove your physical fitness. Don’t worry; you won’t have to be as fit as the muscleman Bhulk. A daily sports programme will also be part of your journey into space, as weightlessness will no longer strain your muscles. We want to prevent you from wabbling away like a jelly pudding upon your arrival on Mars.
Final exam
In order to send you to Mars with a clear conscience, there will be a final exam at the end of the camp, which will last several days. In this test, your team gets to solve a task. At the end, the certificate «Survivor of the Galaxy» is waiting for you.
Attention: Anyone returning to the camp after the given time of 72 hours will not be admitted for the language stay.
* For those wanting to join on short notice, we offer a 10-day intensive Mars Survival Camp at the zoo (Laola hall).
