NOTE - this series is only for returning Nature & Survival Series students
Welcome back to the Nature and Survival Series!
As you return for another Nature & Survival Season, we aim to continue supporting your journey towards becoming holistic naturalists and confident outdoorsfolk. For participants coming from season 1, we will transition to more fluid outing structures that aren’t broken apart by individual activities (e.g. naturalist skill, survival skill, wildcraft) and, instead, are directed by seasonality, ecology, and bigger picture lessons that blend together. Structured activities, challenges, and crafts will still be a part of our outing, but the focus will shift towards what’s happening in the environment around us to guide our days together. For example, what wildlife we may encounter, what plants we might find based on the season and location, and how we can incorporate these lessons into our understanding of natural spaces.
Saturday, September 19 | 9:30AM - 4:00PM | Kapowsin/Eatonville Area (Puyallup River or Nisqually State Park depending on weather/accessibility)
In late September, we’ll hope to catch the return of a few salmon species to our area, observing how this impacts wildlife movement along the riversides. Depending on weather conditions we’re hoping to spend the day along the Puyallup or Nisqually River, as early fall exposes sandy riverbeds perfect for learning new plants, finding wildlife track and sign, and starting our season-long craft: making our own arrow! As returning Nature & Survival cohorts merge, we’ll also get to know each other and refresh our learned skills through a series of naturalist challenges.
Saturday, October 17 9:30AM - Sunday October 18 12:00PM | Millersylvania State Park Group Camp
The return of fall rains means we get to practice fire skills again! In mid October, we’ll hang at the spacious Millersylvania group camp, perfect for big group fires and crafts in the shelter. Throughout the day we’ll deepen our wildlife tracking skills with an intro to skull ID and osteology as well as have opportunities for more seasoned participants in Nature & Survival to practice teaching and sharing skills with newer folks. In the afternoon and into the evening, we’ll complete fire challenges, create a stone or bone arrowhead, and learn new campfire cooking skills and recipes (and bring your own you’d like to try or share!). Plus, if you’d like, join us for overnight camping and a morning naturalist hike.
Saturday, November 21 | 9:30AM-3:30PM | Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
As we move later into the fall season, we’re joined by migrating waterfowl (and hunting eagles), increased activity from beavers as they forage and build dams, and flushes of fruiting fungi. In late November, we’ll explore Nisqually Wildlife Refuge, a space that transforms dramatically with tides and seasons. We’ll expect to expand naturalist studies by identifying waterfowl, looking for track and sign along exposed riverbanks and fresh mud, and learning the basics of feather identification to set you up for adding fletchings to your arrow.
Saturday, December 19 | 10:00AM-3:00PM | Wildwood Park, Puyallup
For our final outing in December, we’ll cozy up next to the firepit in a shelter at Wildwood Park. This small pocket of old growth forest will be a great place to do some winter plant challenges (think twig and bark ID!) and practice survival fire skills in the cold/moist weather. We’ll finish up our arrows by making pitch glue and putting it all together. If we’ve got time, we’ll also do a seasonal/holiday craft that will include another opportunity to showcase your skills!
Can’t attend all 4 sessions, but still interested? Email ryan@firecraftnw.com and he can create a pro-rated invoice based on which sessions you can attend.
NOTE - this series is only for returning Nature & Survival Series students
Welcome back to the Nature and Survival Series!
As you return for another Nature & Survival Season, we aim to continue supporting your journey towards becoming holistic naturalists and confident outdoorsfolk. For participants coming from season 1, we will transition to more fluid outing structures that aren’t broken apart by individual activities (e.g. naturalist skill, survival skill, wildcraft) and, instead, are directed by seasonality, ecology, and bigger picture lessons that blend together. Structured activities, challenges, and crafts will still be a part of our outing, but the focus will shift towards what’s happening in the environment around us to guide our days together. For example, what wildlife we may encounter, what plants we might find based on the season and location, and how we can incorporate these lessons into our understanding of natural spaces.
Saturday, September 19 | 9:30AM - 4:00PM | Kapowsin/Eatonville Area (Puyallup River or Nisqually State Park depending on weather/accessibility)
In late September, we’ll hope to catch the return of a few salmon species to our area, observing how this impacts wildlife movement along the riversides. Depending on weather conditions we’re hoping to spend the day along the Puyallup or Nisqually River, as early fall exposes sandy riverbeds perfect for learning new plants, finding wildlife track and sign, and starting our season-long craft: making our own arrow! As returning Nature & Survival cohorts merge, we’ll also get to know each other and refresh our learned skills through a series of naturalist challenges.
Saturday, October 17 9:30AM - Sunday October 18 12:00PM | Millersylvania State Park Group Camp
The return of fall rains means we get to practice fire skills again! In mid October, we’ll hang at the spacious Millersylvania group camp, perfect for big group fires and crafts in the shelter. Throughout the day we’ll deepen our wildlife tracking skills with an intro to skull ID and osteology as well as have opportunities for more seasoned participants in Nature & Survival to practice teaching and sharing skills with newer folks. In the afternoon and into the evening, we’ll complete fire challenges, create a stone or bone arrowhead, and learn new campfire cooking skills and recipes (and bring your own you’d like to try or share!). Plus, if you’d like, join us for overnight camping and a morning naturalist hike.
Saturday, November 21 | 9:30AM-3:30PM | Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
As we move later into the fall season, we’re joined by migrating waterfowl (and hunting eagles), increased activity from beavers as they forage and build dams, and flushes of fruiting fungi. In late November, we’ll explore Nisqually Wildlife Refuge, a space that transforms dramatically with tides and seasons. We’ll expect to expand naturalist studies by identifying waterfowl, looking for track and sign along exposed riverbanks and fresh mud, and learning the basics of feather identification to set you up for adding fletchings to your arrow.
Saturday, December 19 | 10:00AM-3:00PM | Wildwood Park, Puyallup
For our final outing in December, we’ll cozy up next to the firepit in a shelter at Wildwood Park. This small pocket of old growth forest will be a great place to do some winter plant challenges (think twig and bark ID!) and practice survival fire skills in the cold/moist weather. We’ll finish up our arrows by making pitch glue and putting it all together. If we’ve got time, we’ll also do a seasonal/holiday craft that will include another opportunity to showcase your skills!
Can’t attend all 4 sessions, but still interested? Email ryan@firecraftnw.com and he can create a pro-rated invoice based on which sessions you can attend.
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