 Image 1 of 5
        
          Image 1 of 5
        
         
         Image 2 of 5
        
          Image 2 of 5
        
         
         Image 3 of 5
        
          Image 3 of 5
        
         
         Image 4 of 5
        
          Image 4 of 5
        
         
         Image 5 of 5
        
          Image 5 of 5
        
         
         
               
               
               
               
              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
