California Cadet Corps and Bear Flag

Seashore survival

Every few years a seashore survival bivouac was held on the north coast of California near the Mattole River. Students built and lived in communal shelters using driftwood and surplus cargo parachute material. They fished successfully in the surf and along the river.  They also gathered shellfish and other food and items including mussels, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, and limpeds from the ocean at low tide. Because of the long travel time and resources required to get to the survival site, the seashore survival bivouac was not held every year.  When it was held, it took place at the end of May over the Memorial Day weekend.  Problems with red tide prevented the bivouac from being held at other times during the school year