Advanced course in listening and awareness
Life is a challenge for every living being, for humans too. Achieving important goals in life is difficult. Life is a series of trials and a series of risks. Success depends on your ability to take calculated risks and move forward while facing challenges.
This is a training on how to take calculated risks while being immersed in a wonderful and hostile nature.
In Psycom Origin, you will learn a concentration of psychological and physical skills that are necessary for any success. Especially your own.
Psycom Origin is more than an expedition. It is more than a training course. It is more than a safari. It is an experience that will bring out the best in you. Psycom Origin will change the way you see the world.
PSYCOM ORIGIN
Level 1
SURVIVAL SKILLS THAT WILL BE DEVELOPED
- Start a fire in any condition using a sparkler.
- Strategic selection of a safe camp site based on animal hazards, weather and terrain conditions.
- Animal approach strategies and hazard assessment.
- Determine safe speed and distance based on signs for each animal species.
- Compass orientation.
- Smoke and distress signals for rescue.
ANIMAL INTERACTION SKILLS THAT WILL BE DEVELOPED
- Animal communication: understanding behaviors and signals with each species encountered.
- Identify the tracks of animals in the immediate environment.
- Visually identify animals around us.
- Observation of wild animals on foot.
- Method of stealth approach, extraction and escape in case of attack.
- Total autonomy in the African bush, spend a night alone and find your way back effectively.
PERSONAL LEADERSHIP SKILLS
- Management of negative emotions and anxiety.
- Control of impulsiveness.
- Managing priorities in a stressful context.
- Developing sustained attention.
- Managing areas of physical and emotional discomfort
- Healthy management of the personal ego.
- Awareness of communication, emotions, physical and emotional sensations.
- Development of listening to environmental cues and other team members.
- Ability to grieve, make choices and create plans.
- Development of behavioral and emotional flexibility.
- Ability to adapt in a constantly changing environment.
- Development of confidence in one’s mental, emotional and physical resources.
- Optimal use of one’s personality traits.
Respect for the 5 golden rules when going on expeditions in the presence of the “Big Five”, namely:
- Stay behind the rifle.
- Obey the commands of the guide(s).
- Walk in single file at all times.
- Keep noise to a minimum.
- No matter what happens: DO NOT RUN.
- Summer sleeping bag
- Walking shoes or boots
- Pairs of heavy socks (2)
- Knife with belt sheath
- Hatchet
- Sparkling stone
- Ground mattress
- Mosquito repellent
- Tent/cover/hamac
- Sunscreen stick
- Water bottles (approx. 4L)
- Water purification equipment (chlorine tablets, pump or filter)
- Backpack
- Pair of binoculars (8×42 or 10×4)
- Knee pads
- Eyelash tweezers
- Gloves
- Safety glasses with clear glass
- Camera or cell phone
- Pairs of underwear (2-3)
- Neutral color pants (1-2)
- Long sleeve shirt or small coat (1)
- Shorts (1-2)
- Earth, khaki, army, or camouflage shirt (1)
- Compass
- Small pot, metal cup, utensils
- Headlamp
- Tylenol
- Biodegradable wet wipes/toilet paper
- Dehydrated food (refer to the schedule)
- Water purification tablets
TEAM LEADERSHIP SKILLS
- Use of a personal communication radio in a group functioning perspective.
- Development of listening skills for team members.
- Development of self-respect and respect for others.
- Understanding the limits of others for optimal team functioning.
- Example of challenges and activities.
- Define a strategy to cross a river with hippos.
- Approach elephants, rhinoceroses, buffalos and lions on foot.
- Be the leader of the group: guide the group through the bush while carrying a large caliber rifle and ensuring its safety.
- Good physical health (65 years old maximum).
- Good psychological health.
- No current psychological disorders diagnosed.
- Ability to walk on uneven terrain with a backpack weighing a minimum of 35 pounds. The longest day of walking is 15 km on uneven terrain.
- Based on the experience of all our customers, unless you have undergone specific training to ensure successful walking and backpacking, the maximum BMI is 32.
- Willingness to take on psychological and physical challenges.
- Have a positive attitude.
- Open to learning and feedback.
- Ability to swim 40 meters (if not, bring a life jacket).
- Good listening skills, empathy and respect for others.
- Willingness to work in a team and to be part of a group.
- Willingness to communicate with others.
- Understanding of English (and French).
Some pictures of our last expedition.
Credit: Annie-Claude Roberge.
UNDERSTANDING OF ANIMAL CONSERVATION STRATEGIES
Through the Psycom Leadership & Wildlife Foundation, participants will be introduced to conservation that increases the population of endangered species, including the cheetah. For the first time ever, the center will be able to introduce participants to two new cheetahs rehabilitated by the center.
THE LODGE
Psycom Origin is an expedition requiring preparation.
Psycom Origin is an investment in oneself for a better future.
Several immersive retreats will take place in the coming months. Choose the date of your departure according to your preferences in order to prepare yourself properly and ensure your progress. Places are limited and disappear very quickly! To secure yours, sign up on our waiting list. In addition to being informed before everyone else of the next communications and news about these expeditions, you will receive a free participant’s preparation booklet as a gift!
NEXT EXPEDITIONS
This retreat is probably one of the most constructive and adventurous adventures that can be conceived on an African terrain. After several years of working on it, we finally invite you to participate in this experience that will never be equaled.
NOVEMBER 2023
Group 1: November 6-14, 2023 – Sold out!
Group 2: November 18-26, 2023 – Sold out!
MAY 2024
Group 1: May 4 to 12, 2024
Group 2: May 17 to 25, 2024
Price: $8,920 CAD*
* Airfare not included
From January 2025, please note that prices will be indicated in US dollars.
PLANNING
Summary of Activities
- Presentation and identification of animals: characteristics, behaviors and communication
- Presentation of the Big 5: Identification, typical behaviors, approach and communication strategy, dangers and precautions Jeep safari: Familiarization of the terrain, exploration and animal identification
- Origin of science: Tracks: The development of deductive reasoning in humans to survive. Identification of tracks, tracing strategies.
- Strategies for walking and moving in dangerous terrain, use of the environment and the elements when moving
- Movement exercises
- Survival and overnight stays in dangerous terrain: Theory and practice of overnight stays in a terrain where the Big 5 is located
- Relaxation in the sea
FAQ
There is no specific preparation required, but it is recommended to be able to walk with a backpack weighing at least 35 pounds, to be in good physical and psychological health.
Some other things to consider:
- Good physical health (65 years old maximum).
- Good psychological health.
- No current psychological disorders diagnosed.
- Ability to walk on uneven terrain with a backpack weighing a minimum of 35 pounds. The longest day of walking is 15 km on uneven terrain.
- Unless you have undergone specific training ensuring the success of walking and wearing a backpack (based on our entire client base’s experience), we recommend a maximum BMI of 32.
- Willingness to take on psychological and physical challenges.
- Have a positive attitude.
- Open to learning and feedback.
- Ability to swim 40 meters (if not, bring a life jacket).
- Good listening skills, empathy and respect for others.
- Willingness to work in a team and to be part of a group.
- Willingness to communicate with others.
- Understanding of English (and French).
The fee includes training, shipping, lodging and meals, except for dehydrated food – you can refer to the calendar on our website to see when dehydrated food is required.
The destination airport is Port Elizabeth and the expedition takes place in the Grahamstown area of South Africa.
PSYCOM ORIGINE
Level 2
Development in progress… Stay tuned!
