private and customized classes, workshops, retreats, and events

Private events are a great way to dig into the skills you and your group want to focus on and add elements like team building, overnight experiences, crafting and cooking.

Private events can be hosted at your location or a natural space that’s convenient for you. We can also choose locations best suited to the experience you’re looking for!

  • "We hired Firecraft Northwest to lead a nature workshop for third graders in the Ferndale School District. Students looked for rabbit entries in the blackberry bushes, compared plaster animal tracks, participated in games, learned about edible plants and got a spontaneous lesson on what owls do and do not eat! Engagement was high and my students talked about the field trip long after it was over. I was so inspired that I am now incorporating outdoor teaching and nature journaling on my own."

    Laura Boynton, 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Teacher Ferndale Elementary

  • "Before I took this class, my goal in nature was to conquer it (hike quickly to a destination, avoid wildlife at all costs, eat all the huckleberries I see). After just one firecraft session, my entire relationship with nature changed to one of symbiosis and deep gratitude."

    Ali Jensen, Nature and Survival Series Participant

  • "If you are looking to learn survival skills, knot tying, wood crafting, plant ID, wildlife tracking or whatever outdoor area you are interested in, Ryan has a course for you. He makes it interactive, enjoyable, all inclusive, and informative "

    Bill Payne, longtime Firecraft Northwest participant

  • "At Bell Creek Nature School, Ryan led youth classes as well as workshops for families and adults. All of Ryan's students absolutely adore him. Ryan is a knowledgeable, enthusiastic, engaging, supportive, and fun educator. He is professional, thoughtful and approachable. "

    Julie DeWolfe, Principal and Owner, Bell Creek Nature School

  • "The opportunities with Firecraft NW allowed me to embrace both my curiosities and hesitations as a beginner, and to continue to advance with my ambition."

    Callie McSpadden, Nature and Survival Series participant, Bellingham Carvers Guild Member

  • "Ryan is truly a master of his craft. With equal amounts of knowledge and enthusiasm, he’s the ideal instructor for learners of all ages."

    Matt Perry, Nature and Survival Series participant

how to get started:

1) gather your group

We offer experiences for all group types — families and friends, employee retreats and team building, women’s retreats, clubs and groups (e.g. hiking club or kayak group), nature schools, and more! We’ve even done lessons, workshops, and events at local libraries, school districts, retirement centers, and more!

2) pick your themes or objectives

We custom tailor an experience for you based on your desired theme(s) and skills your group would like to learn, as well as objectives—what you’d like to get out of the experience (e.g. team building, relaxation and retreat). What’s listed below is a starting point to get you thinking! We can mix and match, add items not listed below, and will create an experience tailored to your group.

Survival and BUshcraft

  • Fire starting techniques

  • Friction fire

  • Gear overview and packing guides

  • Wild foraging and fire cooking

  • Shelter building and debris huts

  • Ropes and knot tying, tarpology

  • Knife and axe work, knife sharpening

  • Flint knapping

  • Archery

naturalist skills

  • Plant identification and ethnobotany

  • Wild edibles and foraging

  • Animal track and sign

  • Birding and bird language

  • Landscapes and ecology systems

  • Salmon life cycle

  • Mushroom and fungi basics

  • Beginners geology, flint and steel, and history of flint knapping

  • Animal behavior and trailing

wild crafting

  • Green wood carving— spoons,
    figurines, traps

  • Pine needle baskets

  • English Ivy basketry

  • Botanical pressing and preserving

  • Coal blown spoons and bowls

  • Natural cordage and ropes

  • Leather work — sheathes, cases and pouches

  • Creating take-home fire starting and survival kits

nature awareness and connection

  • Sit spots, sound mapping, and silent hikes

  • Stargazing, sunrise walks, and overnights

  • Fireside meals and stories

  • Outdoor yoga and meditation

  • Team building and facilitated lessons

  • Immersive, nature-based group activities

  • Group challenges and games

  • Memorable, shared experiences!

3) Reach out and brainstorm

We’d love to hear from you! One of our favorite parts about the work we do is getting to brainstorm and dream up custom experiences with you. We’re happy to design something for you or spend more time with you co-creating the right experience for your group.

Reach out to Ryan or Licia directly or fill out the form here

ryan@firecraftnw.com
(480) 603-7106

licia@firecraftnw.com
(360)-347-1344

sample private offerings

  • School groups

    Outings for school groups with lessons tied to your curriculum -- wildlife tracking, plant families, nature awareness and more

  • employee retreats

    We can be a guest speaker or offer half-day or full-day sessions that integrate immersive, hands-on nature lessons and team building activities.

  • women's retreat

    Half-day, full-day and overnight offerings for women with focus on topics like fire starting, camp cooking, and survival basics.

  • friends & family reunions

    Half-day, full-day, and overnights to bring friends and family together around lessons like plant ID and foraging, shelter building, and friction fire.

Pricing

Private event prices vary significantly based on many factors:

  • Length of program (half-day, full-day, multi-day, overnights)

  • Location and travel

  • Required materials, number of skills/lessons

  • Food storage and cooking

  • Permits and facility reservations

  • Accommodating larger group sizes

Because of this, we can provide more precise pricing once we talk with you about your event goals and design.

However, it’s free to meet with us for an initial consult and we are very transparent about what goes into our pricing and happy to answer any questions you have.

We’d love to hear from you and see how we can accommodate both your budget and your dream outing!

site reviews & trail camera placement

Eager to know what’s on your property? We can also be hired by land trusts, conservation organizations, and private land owners to do site reviews and trail camera placements.

Site reviews give you an understanding of what flora and fauna are present on your site. Completed site assessments include information such as access point conditions, trail conditions, native species and invasive species present, evidence of human activity, water way navigability, and more, and can also be tailored to data points you or your organization are looking for. We can also help you understand where best to place a trail camera(s) to give you photo and video evidence of animals moving about on your land!