Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Fire building is an essential survival skill that is used for crafting, cooking, tasks around camp, and maintaining comfort in the outdoors.
It can be challenging to get your fire going as the rain starts coming down, so we’ve designed this course to provide practice and training during the rainy season!
During this half-day hands-on course, we’ll do a walk through the woods to identify local resources for fire building, fire starting, and fire accelerants to prepare you for emergency fire-building or if you’d like to be able to harvest your own fire materials. We’ll learn fire fundamentals—including tips and tricks for overcoming rain and cold—and create tinder bundles from all natural, harvested materials (harvested off site due to state park regulations). Participants will then be able to practice with several different ignition techniques including matches, lighters, ferrocerium rods, and flint and steel.
We’ll also dive into different fire configurations and survival basics that are useful concepts for every outing!
Options to add a camp knife and/or handmade ferrocerium rod to your registration.
Course Objectives
Understand local resources for fire starting in any season, including how to find tinder and fire accelerants in the rain
Learn tips and tricks for overcoming the rain and cold for a successful fire during the off-season
Build a successful fire with only natural materials and a knife in the rain
Learn fire-building and survival fundamentals to prepare you for emergency situations
Practice with several different types of ignition, learn the pros/cons of each and which we recommend for your pack
What materials / gear should you bring to this course?
Warm clothing for all weather conditions (especially rain)
Lunch
Water bottle
Optional Materials:
Knife (a class set of knives will be available for use)
Lighter, matches, ferrocerium, friction fire kits
Notepad & Pencil
Folding chair for lecture and lunch (picnic tables are also nearby)
Accessibility information:
We will do a short hike in the morning, less than 1/2 mile to outline key fire starting materials on flat ground.
The weather may be raining off and on throughout the session. We will have a shelter for cover, but please be prepared to stay in rain for periods of an hour or more.
Participants will crouch, kneel, and stand on wet ground during fire building training
Participants will use edged tools like knives to prepare fire materials.
Restrooms will be available a 3 minute walk away from the shelter.
Sunday, March 22nd, 2026
10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Millersylvania State Park
12245 Tilley Road Southwest
Olympia, WA, 98512
Fire building is an essential survival skill that is used for crafting, cooking, tasks around camp, and maintaining comfort in the outdoors.
It can be challenging to get your fire going as the rain starts coming down, so we’ve designed this course to provide practice and training during the rainy season!
During this half-day hands-on course, we’ll do a walk through the woods to identify local resources for fire building, fire starting, and fire accelerants to prepare you for emergency fire-building or if you’d like to be able to harvest your own fire materials. We’ll learn fire fundamentals—including tips and tricks for overcoming rain and cold—and create tinder bundles from all natural, harvested materials (harvested off site due to state park regulations). Participants will then be able to practice with several different ignition techniques including matches, lighters, ferrocerium rods, and flint and steel.
We’ll also dive into different fire configurations and survival basics that are useful concepts for every outing!
Options to add a camp knife and/or handmade ferrocerium rod to your registration.
Course Objectives
Understand local resources for fire starting in any season, including how to find tinder and fire accelerants in the rain
Learn tips and tricks for overcoming the rain and cold for a successful fire during the off-season
Build a successful fire with only natural materials and a knife in the rain
Learn fire-building and survival fundamentals to prepare you for emergency situations
Practice with several different types of ignition, learn the pros/cons of each and which we recommend for your pack
What materials / gear should you bring to this course?
Warm clothing for all weather conditions (especially rain)
Lunch
Water bottle
Optional Materials:
Knife (a class set of knives will be available for use)
Lighter, matches, ferrocerium, friction fire kits
Notepad & Pencil
Folding chair for lecture and lunch (picnic tables are also nearby)
Accessibility information:
We will do a short hike in the morning, less than 1/2 mile to outline key fire starting materials on flat ground.
The weather may be raining off and on throughout the session. We will have a shelter for cover, but please be prepared to stay in rain for periods of an hour or more.
Participants will crouch, kneel, and stand on wet ground during fire building training
Participants will use edged tools like knives to prepare fire materials.
Restrooms will be available a 3 minute walk away from the shelter.
Sunday, March 22nd, 2026
10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Millersylvania State Park
12245 Tilley Road Southwest
Olympia, WA, 98512