Registration will be handled through the course’s website.
A link will be available on this site when registration opens.
All major cards are accepted
The registration fee covers your participation in all of the outings except for Snow Camp which requires an additional $25 tram fee if you participate.
The WBC teaches a wide range of information and skills, presented by an array of outdoor-experienced guest speakers. Speakers use props, demonstrations, videos, and slide presentations to explain their subject matter. Topics include conditioning, first aid, foods and cooking, wilderness ethics, flora, weather, staying warm, packing a backpack, encounters with animals, map and compass navigation and comparisons of different types of equipment, to name a few.
Learn more: About the Classes >
This course is offered once a year, starting in January for eleven weeks.
Yes, you may take the course as many times as you like. In fact, every year we have many repeat students who have such a wonderful time that they take the course multiple times. They repeat the course because it’s a great deal, lots of fun, and they make lasting friendships.
Related: Second year Completion
The North County Group WBC is held in Escondido at San Pasqual High School.
The San Diego Chapter also holds their own WBC in San Diego at the Scottish Rite Event Center in Mission Valley. Learn more about San Diego WBC.
The course starts at 7:00 p.m. every Tuesday night and lasts until 9:30 p.m. On several class nights there are additional (optional) activities for students starting as early as 6:30 p.m. These include the WBC Swap Meet, Community Night, discussions with the WBC Leaders, Sierra Club Sections, etc. You may arrive early if you like, the doors open at 6:30 p.m.
We do recommend arriving early for the first night.
For a full schedule go to: Schedules >
For class dates and descriptions go to: About the Class >
For outings dates and descriptions go to: About The Outings >
There is one short day hike up a local mountain and four (4) overnight camping weekend outings.
- Desert Car Camp weekend outing
- Desert Backpack weekend outing
- Mountain Backpack weekend outing
- Snow Camp Backpack weekend outing
Learn more: About the Outings >
Each outing will have a maximum of 11 students. Each outing will also have at least two leaders: a main leader and an assistant leader. Some trips may also have a second assistant and or WBC staff member. This is based on a 15-person maximum for overnight outings.
Certificates are presented to graduates at our annual WBC Reunion weekend in the spring.
If any student is unable to attend the Reunion, their WBC graduation certificate will be mailed to them after the Reunion.
More about Course Requirements >
If you miss one of the outings, we offer “make-up” outings on alternate weekends. These “make-up” trips are offered on a first-come basis. You must attend the make-up for the specific trip that you missed, they are not interchangeable.
There may be no “make-up” trips for Snow Camp.
More about Course Requirements >
If you miss a class or outing you will not receive your graduation certificate. However, if you miss a single lecture OR outing (but not both), you will have the opportunity to make up the missed lecture or outing the following year without paying the course fee.
More about Second-Year Course Completion Requirements >
More about Course Completion Requirements >
The North County Group WBC accepts students who are at least 14 years old and in the 9th grade. However, minors (14-17) must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian on every WBC event (class, day hikes, weekend outings, etc).
The San Diego WBC does not accept anyone under the age of 18 years old.
No. Only registered students, staff members and WBC leaders are allowed to participate on outings.
In addition to the class registration fee, each student should also budget for the costs of equipment, rentals, travel expenses, and any miscellaneous costs including food, fuel, or special clothing (if they are not able to borrow from friends). Depending on how much equipment each student has and how much they still need to acquire, the amount spent could vary dramatically from student to student. A lot of students are able to find “camping” clothing or equipment at thrift stores which helps cut costs dramatically. The WBC also has 1-2 swap meets before the regularly scheduled classes where used equipment can be purchased.
Registered students may also receive special student discounts provided by local participating merchants. In the past the following merchants have offered discounts to WBC students: Nomad Ventures and the Columbia store, however each year is different.
Each student is responsible for providing their own equipment, food, and travel, as well as associated expenses.
We strongly encourage all students who do not own their own equipment to either borrow or rent their equipment during class. It is better to test rented equipment for the trips and wait until after class to purchase equipment so that you will have greater knowledge of what types of equipment you will need. We also encourage students to share stoves, tents and to carpool to cut expenses. However, each student is required to wear appropriate footwear on each outing.
The Sierra Club, presenters of the WBC, does not provide insurance for students, staff or leaders.
Each student is required to provide their own medical insurance. If a student is injured on any outing or in the classroom, their own medical insurance and/or medical provider needs to be contacted at the student’s cost. If a student is hurt on an outing and the leader feels the student must be evacuated or rescued, then the student is responsible for these charges also.
The San Diego Sierra Club WBC started in 1956 in cooperation with the City of San Diego. Eventually they separated from the city and have been running as a community service ever since.
The North County Group WBC started in 1971.
There are two separate Wilderness Basics Courses to choose from, the North County WBC and the San Diego WBC.
The differences are described on the page: Which WBC is right for me?