One group is the Blue Legion, a gun-happy squad of teenaged boys under the command of tyrannical survivalist Jake Cannon (Mark Rolston).

The other bunch, Survival Quest, is a sort of backpacking self-help group led by humane mountain man Hank Chambers (Lance Henriksen).

The beneficiaries of Hank's wisdom include smart-aleck Joey (Paul Provenza), fragile divorcee Cheryl (Catherine Keener), and alienated convict Gray (Dermot Mulroney).

Through various exercises and object lessons beneath the sheltering pines, firm-but-gentle Hank teaches this crew to work together.

On board is Hank, who managed to overcome his wound and signal for help after he tried to help Jake, who has died.