The Overlanders Summer School
Session 1: July 19-20
Session 2: August 23-24
Location: Elk Springs Road, Noel, MO
Join us at the River Ranch Resort primitive camping area and driving course—a site custom-designed by Ozark 4×4 and MyQuest Adventures.
This course is not intended to be an all-inclusive or exhaustive guide to overlanding and trail leadership. Instead, it is designed to introduce key topics, spark awareness, and encourage participants to explore further and deepen their knowledge in the areas that resonate most with their personal experience and goals. Sometimes, the most valuable lessons come from realizing what you didn’t even know you were missing. This training embraces that philosophy by highlighting blind spots, challenging assumptions, and opening the door to ongoing self-education and continuous improvement.
Find out more about River Ranch Resort here.
Find out more about their boat rental here.
What's Included:
Includes:
Saturday Night Primitive Camping
Saturday Training
Friday Night Camping available
Additional camper 13+ $20.00, Under 13 $5.00 (Pay Onsite)
Session 1: Vehicle Preservation & Trail Driving
Day 1 - Morning Session (4 hours)
Welcome & Introduction (30 minutes)
Course overview and objectives
Icebreakers and introductions
The Basics of Trail Leadership (1 hours)
Key responsibilities of a trail leader
Understanding the environmental impact of overlanding
Ethical trail use, Tread Lightly and Leave No Trace (LNT) principles
Vehicle Preservation (2 hours)
Understanding vehicle types and capabilities
Maintenance for longevity: pre-trip inspections, tire pressure, fluids, etc.
Best practices for driving on various terrain
Dealing with common vehicle problems on the trail
Lunch Break Roundtable (1 hour)
Afternoon Session (4 hours)
Practical Exercise: Vehicle & Trail Preservation (2+ hours)
Hands-on demonstrations: vehicle checks, trail driving strategies
Group problem-solving scenarios
Trail Driving (2 hour)
Identifying and preventing trail damage
Sustainable trail practices
Managing groups and maintaining the trail’s integrity
Session 2: People & Vehicle Recovery
Morning Session (4 hours)
Welcome & Introduction (30 minutes)
Course overview and objectives
Icebreakers and introductions
People Preservation: Leadership, Safety & Adult Education (2 hours)
Managing group dynamics and safety
Psychology of trail groups
Communication, conflict resolution, and inclusivity
Adult learning principles: engaging, empowering, and inspiring learners
Lunch Break Roundtable (1 hour)
Afternoon Session (4 hours)
Hands-On Recovery Training (4 hours)
Winching, jacking, towing
Group recovery exercises in real-time scenarios
Real-time trail engagement
Teaching off-road recovery, etiquette, and environmental care
No vehicle requirements, though sections of the course will be avoided if vehicle is not suitable.
What’s Included:
Access to the driving course during class hours
1 Night Camping
Stickers
Professional Instruction
Session 1: July 19-20
Session 2: August 23-24
Location: Elk Springs Road, Noel, MO
Join us at the River Ranch Resort primitive camping area and driving course—a site custom-designed by Ozark 4×4 and MyQuest Adventures.
This course is not intended to be an all-inclusive or exhaustive guide to overlanding and trail leadership. Instead, it is designed to introduce key topics, spark awareness, and encourage participants to explore further and deepen their knowledge in the areas that resonate most with their personal experience and goals. Sometimes, the most valuable lessons come from realizing what you didn’t even know you were missing. This training embraces that philosophy by highlighting blind spots, challenging assumptions, and opening the door to ongoing self-education and continuous improvement.
Find out more about River Ranch Resort here.
Find out more about their boat rental here.
What's Included:
Includes:
Saturday Night Primitive Camping
Saturday Training
Friday Night Camping available
Additional camper 13+ $20.00, Under 13 $5.00 (Pay Onsite)
Session 1: Vehicle Preservation & Trail Driving
Day 1 - Morning Session (4 hours)
Welcome & Introduction (30 minutes)
Course overview and objectives
Icebreakers and introductions
The Basics of Trail Leadership (1 hours)
Key responsibilities of a trail leader
Understanding the environmental impact of overlanding
Ethical trail use, Tread Lightly and Leave No Trace (LNT) principles
Vehicle Preservation (2 hours)
Understanding vehicle types and capabilities
Maintenance for longevity: pre-trip inspections, tire pressure, fluids, etc.
Best practices for driving on various terrain
Dealing with common vehicle problems on the trail
Lunch Break Roundtable (1 hour)
Afternoon Session (4 hours)
Practical Exercise: Vehicle & Trail Preservation (2+ hours)
Hands-on demonstrations: vehicle checks, trail driving strategies
Group problem-solving scenarios
Trail Driving (2 hour)
Identifying and preventing trail damage
Sustainable trail practices
Managing groups and maintaining the trail’s integrity
Session 2: People & Vehicle Recovery
Morning Session (4 hours)
Welcome & Introduction (30 minutes)
Course overview and objectives
Icebreakers and introductions
People Preservation: Leadership, Safety & Adult Education (2 hours)
Managing group dynamics and safety
Psychology of trail groups
Communication, conflict resolution, and inclusivity
Adult learning principles: engaging, empowering, and inspiring learners
Lunch Break Roundtable (1 hour)
Afternoon Session (4 hours)
Hands-On Recovery Training (4 hours)
Winching, jacking, towing
Group recovery exercises in real-time scenarios
Real-time trail engagement
Teaching off-road recovery, etiquette, and environmental care
No vehicle requirements, though sections of the course will be avoided if vehicle is not suitable.
What’s Included:
Access to the driving course during class hours
1 Night Camping
Stickers
Professional Instruction
Session 1: July 19-20
Session 2: August 23-24
Location: Elk Springs Road, Noel, MO
Join us at the River Ranch Resort primitive camping area and driving course—a site custom-designed by Ozark 4×4 and MyQuest Adventures.
This course is not intended to be an all-inclusive or exhaustive guide to overlanding and trail leadership. Instead, it is designed to introduce key topics, spark awareness, and encourage participants to explore further and deepen their knowledge in the areas that resonate most with their personal experience and goals. Sometimes, the most valuable lessons come from realizing what you didn’t even know you were missing. This training embraces that philosophy by highlighting blind spots, challenging assumptions, and opening the door to ongoing self-education and continuous improvement.
Find out more about River Ranch Resort here.
Find out more about their boat rental here.
What's Included:
Includes:
Saturday Night Primitive Camping
Saturday Training
Friday Night Camping available
Additional camper 13+ $20.00, Under 13 $5.00 (Pay Onsite)
Session 1: Vehicle Preservation & Trail Driving
Day 1 - Morning Session (4 hours)
Welcome & Introduction (30 minutes)
Course overview and objectives
Icebreakers and introductions
The Basics of Trail Leadership (1 hours)
Key responsibilities of a trail leader
Understanding the environmental impact of overlanding
Ethical trail use, Tread Lightly and Leave No Trace (LNT) principles
Vehicle Preservation (2 hours)
Understanding vehicle types and capabilities
Maintenance for longevity: pre-trip inspections, tire pressure, fluids, etc.
Best practices for driving on various terrain
Dealing with common vehicle problems on the trail
Lunch Break Roundtable (1 hour)
Afternoon Session (4 hours)
Practical Exercise: Vehicle & Trail Preservation (2+ hours)
Hands-on demonstrations: vehicle checks, trail driving strategies
Group problem-solving scenarios
Trail Driving (2 hour)
Identifying and preventing trail damage
Sustainable trail practices
Managing groups and maintaining the trail’s integrity
Session 2: People & Vehicle Recovery
Morning Session (4 hours)
Welcome & Introduction (30 minutes)
Course overview and objectives
Icebreakers and introductions
People Preservation: Leadership, Safety & Adult Education (2 hours)
Managing group dynamics and safety
Psychology of trail groups
Communication, conflict resolution, and inclusivity
Adult learning principles: engaging, empowering, and inspiring learners
Lunch Break Roundtable (1 hour)
Afternoon Session (4 hours)
Hands-On Recovery Training (4 hours)
Winching, jacking, towing
Group recovery exercises in real-time scenarios
Real-time trail engagement
Teaching off-road recovery, etiquette, and environmental care
No vehicle requirements, though sections of the course will be avoided if vehicle is not suitable.
What’s Included:
Access to the driving course during class hours
1 Night Camping
Stickers
Professional Instruction