unplug and reconnect

Firecraft Northwest takes you outside to connect with nature, learn survival skills, and build community.

Join us for a class, workshop, or private event to learn ethnobotany and plant ID, foraging, fireside cooking, green wood carving, animal tracking, shelter building, and so much more!

upcoming classes & events

Classes
Screen Break Nature Walk (Free)
Dec 4
Watershed Park
Screen Break Nature Walk (Free)
Watershed Park

Join us for a free outing at Olympia's Watershed Park to walk the trails, study what we find, and take a break from our computer and phone screens! This will be a slow meandering walk through the woods with time to socialize and meet other hikers!

Watershed Park
Getting Started in Whittling & Carving (FULL)
Dec 7
Arbutus Folk School
Getting Started in Whittling & Carving (FULL)
Arbutus Folk School

In this introductory whittling and carving class, craft your own jam spreader and a mushroom figurine from a simple branch! Participants will head home with one of each project, and will have the opportunity to carve more pieces if time allows.

This course introduces participants to the art of whittling and carving with a focus on: tool familiarity and safety; basic techniques and form; how to find and source wood, as well as what woods to use for future projects; and additional resources to dive into the art of whittling and carving after class ends

Arbutus Folk School
Winter plant ID Practice (free)
Dec 8
Darlin Creek Preserve
Winter plant ID Practice (free)
Darlin Creek Preserve

As we approach the start of Winter, the leaves of many plants have dropped! This doesn’t mean we can’t get out there and practice our identification skills!

In this free community walk, naturalists Ryan Johnson and Licia Sahagun will lead the group on a walk through beautiful Darlin Creek to practice identifying plants by their bark, branch arrangement, patterns, and in many cases, evergreen leaves!

Darlin Creek Preserve
Survive & Thrive: A Hiker’s Guide to Shelters ($45)
Dec 14
Squaxin Park
Survive & Thrive: A Hiker’s Guide to Shelters ($45)
Squaxin Park

In this outdoor program, learn survival skills with a focus on the world of shelter building. Train with the instructors to discover two emergency debris shelter building techniques. Learn five essential knots for quick and easy tarp set up, and then deploy your shelter in minutes!

Shelter is the most important survival need, because staying dry and keeping our core body temperature is the highest priority. You’ll be able to use these skills for camping, hiking, backpacking, gardening, and more. Be ready for your next adventure with the skills and knowledge from this interactive shelter course!

Squaxin Park

spring 2025 nature & survival intensive now open for registration

“Ryan at Firecraft Northwest is a patient and enthusiastic teacher. He is able to articulate his wealth of knowledge in a way that suits the needs and abilities of each of his students. I’ve been able to reconnect to my passion for the outdoors through his class offerings. I cannot recommend him enough!”

— Sukhmani Singh, Nature and Survival Series participantt

private classes & events

We also offer private and customized classes, workshops, retreats, and overnight excursions. Visit our Private Events page to learn more!

“Mount Baker Club, the longest running outdoor club in Whatcom County, hired Ryan to lead tracking and nature workshops that our members raved about.  His knowledge of the natural world is both wide and deep and his presentations are engaging.”

— Laura Boynton, Program Coordinator, Mount Baker Club

“I've taken a number of classes from Firecraft Northwest over the past couple of years, and they have all been great experiences! Ryan is able to present a wide variety of outdoor skills and concepts in a way that is accessible, fun, and engaging. Highly recommended!!”

— Mike Berwaldt, private event client

MEET the team

With over 15 years of combined experience in outdoor education, Ryan and Licia are passionate about helping people connect with nature and each other. Learn more about us and why we do what we do!