It was mandatory at my school, as well. We covered basic orienteering, outdoor winter survival, emergency signalling, and avalanche safety.<p>If I remember right, it was a one- or two-day field trip we took during middle school. Everyone was excited when it was their class&#x27;s turn to go. (But who doesn&#x27;t get excited for a field trip?)<p>Not as comprehensive as what you&#x27;d learn in scouts or taking a professional survival class, but it was a good overview. I still remember a lot of it and find the material useful.<p>This was in South Lake Tahoe CA, so we were already in the mountains. :) Cost wouldn&#x27;t have been any worse than any other field trip.