Spring 2025 Nature & Survival Series

Make new friends, hike in new local habitats, and learn new skills!

In this apprenticeship style series, join Firecraft Northwest Instructors for a deep dive into nature awareness and survival skills. Our cohort will meet once a month on Saturdays for four sessions February through May.

We’ll cover a wide variety of subjects including survival basics, fire making, plant identification, bird identification, wildlife tracking, tool use, sensory/nature awareness, fireside cooking, and more. Sessions utilize a blend of hands-on training, interactive activities, and detailed educational content. Every session the group will learn Naturalist Skills, Survival Skills, and practice and take home one Wild Craft (detailed below). We will visit a new location each date for this course.

Here is the outline for what we’ll focus on. Please note that some locations or content is subject to change due to permits, weather and seasonal influences, participants, and location availability.

Saturday, February 22, 2025 at McClane Creek Nature Trail
9:30 AM to 3:00 PM

• Naturalist Skills

  • Introductions and getting to know the group

  • Nature awareness and how that supports other skills (tracking, survival, etc.)

  • Waterfowl identification and getting started in the world of birds and bird language

• Survival Skills

  • Prioritizing survival needs in an emergency

  • Shelter building and it’s role in emergency survival

  • Introduction to knots, ropes, and cordage

• Wild Crafting

  • Learning to use a knife, knife safety, and carving our first project

Saturday, March 22, 2025 - Millersylvania State Park
9:30 AM to 4:00 PM

• Naturalist Skills

  • Plant identification basics in the field

  • Early spring foraging, local edibles, and honorable harvesting practices

• Survival Skills

  • Fire starting and it’s role in survival skills

  • Learn a new camping knot for use in upcoming outings

• Wild Crafting

  • Make a take-home fire kit for your pack

Saturday, April 26, 2025 - WSU Pack Forest outside of Eatonville, WA
9:30 AM to 4:00 PM

• Naturalist Skills

  • Introduction to wildlife tracking and track and sign identification

  • Spring Fungi ID and mushrooming basics

• Survival Skills

  • Modern shelters on the go, tarpology!

  • Navigation 101 - basics of map, compass, and orienteering

• Wild Crafting

  • Building upon knife skills, learn notching and grip techniques, carve second project

Saturday, May 17, 2025 - DNR Capitol Forest Campground
9:30 AM to 4:30 PM

• Naturalist Skills

  • Identifying spring wildflowers and fresh growth

  • Putting it all together - the big picture of ecology and sensory awareness

• Survival Skills

  • Fire-building challenges

  • Campfire cooking (learn two field recipes!)

  • Learn a new knot to use on your outings

• Wild Crafting

  • Making pitch glue for crafting and outdoor use

Tuition: $325

Registration for new participants to the program also includes:

• A belt knife (Morakniv) to keep

• All materials for each outing

• Two carving projects

• Backpack ready fire kit

• Paracord for knot tying practice

• All natural “glue-stick” made from pitch