STRANDED

“Where Remote Survival and Missions Collide”

Apply here for the

next generation

of Stranded

APPLY HERE

STRANDED

There’s a reason most people avoid the hard corners of the world. Deserts don’t care about your comfort. Jungles won’t bow to your fears. And mountains aren’t impressed with your resume. But if these words stir something in you, then you’re probably not like most people.

Stranded is a training experience for Christ-followers who feel drawn to help overlooked people in difficult places. In a handful of rugged days, you’ll learn the basics of missions, remote survival, cultural awareness, and the kind of team unity that can only be formed under pressure. You’ll seek God in wild places and prayerfully discern His vision for your life.

Guided by seasoned missionaries, outdoor adventurers, military minds, and a few unforgettable characters, you’ll trek through the shadowed Black Hills and the desolate Badlands carrying everything you brought on your back. When your training is complete, you’ll step into a community to serve and bless in Jesus’ name.

Keep in mind, Stranded is not for everyone. It’s not a retreat. It’s not comfortable and it may stretch you.

But if something inside you whispers, “I think God wired me for this kind of mission,” “I’m a missionary, but I really need to learn more.” or “This is way out of my zone, but I feel led to step in,” then we urge you to apply. To maximize your opportunity, consider applying for the full STRANDED + SHREWD program—an added SERE-style training for those desiring to be equipped on how to avoid and survive dangerous human encounters. The application is thorough and the space limited, but the world’s most challenging places may be waiting for someone like you—humble, yet bold enough to step forward.

If you BURN FOR JESUS, DREAM OF impactING THE world, and adventure RUNS THROUGH YOUR VEINS, then THIS PROGRAM MAY BE FOR YOU.

Apply Here

STRANDED  EVENTS

STRANDED +SHREWD

STRANDED+ (STRANDED + SHREWD + Mini-SUBMERGE)
$1,295 ($100 Discount when combined with Shrewd)

Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: March 1st. Or when seats are full.
Location: The Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota
Group size: 12 students or less.
(Space is Limited)
Who can apply: Followers of Christ between ages 18 to 88 who have a heart to impact a hard area of the world. Participants must be in good health and able to hike 5 miles with a loaded backpack.

Price includes: 

  • Waterproof journal

  • Multiple training sessions

  • Small Survival Kit handpicked by Unusual Soldiers

  • Missions book

  • An experience that could turn your life upside down

STRANDED

STRANDED (Stranded + Mini Submerge)
$695

Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: March 1st. Or when seats are full.
Location: The Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota
Group size: 12 students or less.
(Space is limited to 12. Stranded+ accepted students are prioritized)
Who can apply: Followers of Christ between ages 18 to 88 who have a heart to impact a hard area of the world. Participants must be in good mental and physical health and able to hike 5 miles with a full backpack.

Price includes: 

  • Waterproof journal

  • Unusual Soldiers Instructors Team

  • Small Survival Kit handpicked by Unusual Soldiers

  • Missions book

  • An experience that could turn your life upside down

Six Goals of S.T.R.A.N.D.E.D.

  • SURVIVAL

    Become knowledgeable on how to navigate in a remote region.

  • TEAMNESS

    Gain insight on how to collaborate with a team of aspiring unusual soldiers.

  • RISK

    Learn the difference between taking a wise risk and a foolish risk on the field.

  • AWAKEN

    Awaken the core traits of every unusual soldier in your life.

  • NAME OF ASPIRATION

    Dive deeper into who you are and who God is calling you to be.

  • DISCOVER

    Discover some best practices of mission work.

  • Explore

    Explore different regions in the world in need of help/hope.

  • Destiny

    Catch a glimpse of where God may be launching you after Stranded.

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One life to to live.

One life to to live.

Live it.

Live it.

Are you one of the daring few?

Apply Today

 —— FAQs ——

  • Mailing Address:
    1401 L Street
    Franklin, Nebraska 68939

    Future Address:
    Rapid City, SD

  • If you are accepted then you will be required to make your deposit of $100 within two weeks of receiving your acceptance letter, otherwise, you will be put on a waiting list. The remaining amount is due on arrival of the event.

  • A Backpack containing…

    • Sleeping Bag

    • Layers of Clothing (Check weather report)

    • Rain Jacket or Pancho

    • Toieltries

    • Hiking shoes

    • Pocket Bible (in Ziplock bag)

    • Flashlight

    • Water Bottle

    • 3 days of packable food

    • Mosquito/Tic Spray

    • Modest swimsuit

    • Good attitude

    • ”Shelter” (optional)

  • The leadership team of Stranded varies from missionaries, adventure guides, survival instructors, EMTs, former military, weirdos, nurses, and former Stranded graduates who have endeavored to dark, dangerous, and despised places across the globe.

  • Don't fret. Click here.

  • Stranded is not for people who just want to learn survival skills. Stranded is a launching pad centered on Jesus and his mission for followers of Christ.

    Keep in mind: Stranded is not a summer camp, a camping trip, a macho-man test, or a "been-there-done-that" event.

  • Students should be able to jog at least a mile, carry a loaded backpack five miles, endure heat, and should not have mental or physical health conditions that may become an issue under stress.

  • Any follower of Christ 18+ years old to 88 years old with a desire to make an impact in the world. If you are one of the many restless Christians trying to find a cause in life to live for this could be for you.

    Stranded is for… the student that has a heart to impact the world, but doesn’t know where to turn. However, Stranded is also for the Christ follower that has missions experience and a growing desire to impact a dark, dangerous, or difficult (remote) place in the world.

  • Planes: If you want to get a flight then Kearney, Grand Island, and Lincoln are the closest airports.

    Trains: If you want to take the train then Holdrege, Nebraska is the closest station.

    Automobiles: Franklin, is located a few miles from the exact center of the USA. So the classic road trip is the most common way people choose to travel. Some have even driven from New York, Florida, and Saskatchewan to participate (1,400miles!).

    * Please keep in mind, that the Unusual Soldiers team, will not be picking you up so you may have to brainstorm travel plans and make arrangements with your teammates.

  • Yes! We have had numerous ethnicities attend Stranded. People from the inner city, countryside, and even from other countries participated in Stranded. Some of our greatest mentors are people from around the world.

  • If you do not hear from Unusual Soldiers within a month of your application then please contact Ryan at ryan@unusualsoldiers.com to make sure there was not a glitch on the website or a problem with the internet. Unusual Soldiers starts the first review process in January.

  • After Stranded you will become part of the Unusual Soldiers tribe and can join us at future alumni gatherings. We would also recommend that you consider doing SHREWD, SUBMERGE, or SLINGSHOT if you want to go all in!