Under Construction May 2026

Mossy Bog Rendezvous (Formally Rat Root Rendezvous)

A Gathering for Wilderness Living, Traditional Skills & Community

Hosted at Nature Alive Adventure Centre

Reconnect With the Wild

Join us for a weekend of bushcraft, canoeing, primitive skills, storytelling, music, and campfire community in the heart of Alberta’s boreal wilderness.

Whether you are a seasoned outdoorsperson or just beginning your wilderness journey, Mossy Bog Rendezvous is a place to learn, share, and belong.

[ Register Now ]
[ View Schedule ]
[ Become an Instructor ]

Welcome to Mossy Bog Rendezvous

Formerly known as Rat Root Rendezvous, this new chapter continues the tradition of wilderness learning, friendship, and outdoor living — now hosted at Nature Alive Adventure Centre.

For one unforgettable weekend, instructors, craftspeople, paddlers, woodsfolk, families, and adventurers gather together to celebrate traditional outdoor knowledge and hands-on learning.

Spend your days learning practical wilderness skills, exploring the land, and sharing stories around the fire late into the evening.

This is more than an event.
It is a community built around connection, simplicity, and respect for the natural world.

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What You’ll Experience

Bushcraft & Survival Skills

Learn practical wilderness skills including firecraft, shelter building, knife and axe skills, tracking, campcraft, plant ID, mushroom ID, and outdoor living.

Primitive Skills & Traditional Crafting

Explore carving, , natural basket making, blacksmithing, herbal knowledge, and traditional outdoor crafts.

Family & Youth Activities

Hands-on outdoor learning experiences designed for children, youth, and families.

Evening Campfire Gatherings

Trade blankets, storytelling, music, campfire-lit conversations, and community around the fire.

Wilderness Community

Meet instructors, adventurers, homesteaders, woodsfolk, and outdoor enthusiasts from across Canada.

EVENT DETAILS SECTION

Event Information

Dates

August 20-23, 2026

Location

Nature Alive Adventure Centre 
Alberta, Canada   https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZTZh4JvUnDgXG8c67

Camping, RV & Trailer Parking

• 3 nights - tenting - $60
• 3 nights - RV - $90 (no hookups)
• 1 day - $20,  Family with kids $340
• We have an open grassy area for RV's.  There are open grass spots and treed spots for tents.  And there are a few places for hammock campers in the forest.
• All visitors must be self contained

Meals

• You are responsible for all your own meals at your own camp spot
• Saturday evening community potluck supper.

Parking

On-site parking available.  Limited RV spots. 

Quiet Hours

Quiet hours begin at 11:00 PM.

Pets

Sorry, no pets.  No Dogs.  Our facility receives guests year round, and we have had too many problems with dog poop and unruly dogs, and unruly pet owners

On Site Ammenities

• 6 km of forest and open meadow trails
• two creeks and a beaver pond
• main campfire pit.  No random open fires allowed
• Outhouses, Shower house, and outdoor shower.
• Water from our well is available.  Most guest bring drinking water
• Parachute over campfire
• Some chairs and tables

Fire Regulations

All fires subject to local fire restrictions and weather conditions.

WHAT TO EXPECT SECTION

A Weekend in the Wilderness

Wake to the smell of coffee and campfire smoke drifting through the trees.

Spend your days learning traditional wilderness skills from experienced instructors and craftspeople.

Carve wood by the fire.
Learn to navigate the backcountry.
Share stories beneath the Northern lights.

As evening settles in, gather together for music, trade blankets, storytelling, and connection around the fire.

Mossy Bog Rendezvous is a place where old knowledge is shared, new friendships are formed, and the spirit of wilderness living continues to thrive.

Meet the Instructors

Dale Kiselyk

Wilderness guide, educator, and founder of Nature Alive Adventures with decades of experience teaching canoeing, bushcraft, and outdoor leadership.

Colleen Kiselyk

Outdoor educator and wilderness skills instructor specializing in nature connection, traditional skills, and family outdoor learning.

Guest Instructors

Additional instructors and presenters will be announced soon.

[ Apply to Teach ]

SCHEDULE SECTION

Weekend Schedule

Thursday

• No programs.  Some folks arrive early, help setup, and hang out for the day

Friday

• Official Arrival & Camp Setup
• Opening Gathering and Afternoon Workshops
• Evening Campfire Social

Saturday

• Full Day of Workshops & Classes
  
• Bushcraft Demonstrations
• Wilderness Skills Workshops
• Evening Potluck & Announcments

Sunday

• Morning Workshops
• Closing Gathering
• Farewell & Departure

Full class schedule coming soon.

FAQ SECTION

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need outdoor experience?

No. Beginners are welcome.

Can I bring my children?

Absolutely. Family-friendly activities will be available throughout the weekend.

What should I bring?

Everything you need for camping or RVing for the weekend.  

Can I camp onsite?

Yes.  Tent sites and RV sites will be in close proximity to one another to fit everyone in nicely.

Are pets allowed?

Sorry, no pets.  No Dogs.  Our facility receives guests year round, and we have had too many problems with dog poop and unruly dogs, and unruly pet owners

Will food be available?

Participants should bring their own meals, with the exception of the Saturday evening community potluck.

Can I teach or present?

Yes. We welcome instructor applications and workshop ideas.

FINAL CALL TO ACTION

Come Learn.

Come Teach.

Come Reconnect With the Wild.

Join a growing community dedicated to wilderness skills, traditional knowledge, and meaningful outdoor experiences.

Spaces are limited.

[ Register Now ]
[ Become an Instructor ]
[ Contact Us ]

Honouring the Legacy

Mossy Bog Rendezvous proudly continues the tradition and spirit of Rat Root Rendezvous — a gathering built through years of dedication, wilderness knowledge, friendship, and community.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Randi and Lori Breewsma of Karamat Wilderness Ways for their vision, hard work, and commitment to creating a wilderness gathering that has inspired so many people over the years.

Their passion for traditional outdoor skills, wilderness living, and community connection helped build something truly meaningful, and it is an honour for Nature Alive Adventures to carry this tradition forward into its next chapter.

As we continue to grow Mossy Bog Rendezvous, we do so with great respect for the foundation they created and the community they helped bring together.

Thank you for passing the torch and trusting us to continue the journey.

The History of Rat Root Rendezvous

Rat Root Rendezvous began more than 25 years ago as a gathering of wilderness enthusiasts, bushcrafters, outdoor educators, craftspeople, and families brought together by a shared passion for traditional outdoor living and wilderness skills.

Founded and hosted by Randi and Lori Breewsma of Karamat Wilderness Ways, the Rendezvous grew from a small community gathering into one of Canada’s most respected wilderness and bushcraft events. Over the years, it became known as a place where people could come together to learn, teach, share stories, and preserve traditional outdoor knowledge.

Deeply influenced by the teachings and philosophy of legendary Canadian bushcraft instructor Mors Kochanski, Karamat Wilderness Ways built the event around practical wilderness education, mentorship, and community connection. The gathering welcomed beginners and experienced outdoorspeople alike, offering hands-on classes in bushcraft, canoeing, primitive skills, blacksmithing, carving, firecraft, tracking, shelter building, traditional crafts, and outdoor living.

What made Rat Root Rendezvous truly special was the sense of community that developed around it. Campfires, storytelling, trade blankets, shared meals, music, and lifelong friendships became just as important as the classes themselves. Families returned year after year, instructors generously shared their knowledge, and a strong culture of respect for nature and traditional skills was passed from one generation to the next.

In 2025, the event celebrated its 25th anniversary under the theme:

WILD 25 — Wilderness, Instruction, Legacy, Developing Skills & Friendships

This milestone gathering marked the final Rat Root Rendezvous hosted by Lori and Randi Breewsma. During the event, they officially passed the torch to Dale and Colleen Kiselyk of Nature Alive Adventures to continue the tradition into the future.

Today, the spirit of Rat Root Rendezvous lives on through Mossy Bog Rendezvous — honouring the legacy, community, and wilderness traditions that Randi and Lori spent decades building while opening a new chapter for future generations of outdoor learners and adventurers.