All Adult Classes
2026
Saturday, November 7, 2026
10:00am-3:00pm
Location:
TBD, within the Port Townsend surrounding area
Instructor:
Marko Colby
Whether you’re a curious beginner or looking to deepen your knowledge, this hands-on, field-based class offers something for everyone. Explore the biology and ecology of mushrooms as you learn about their vital roles in ecosystems, from interactions with plants and soil to their unique place in nature.
With expert guidance, you’ll learn to identify common mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest and their habitats, including how to distinguish edible from look-alike toxic varieties. You’ll also build essential skills for safe and sustainable foraging, gaining understanding of the ethical practices that ensure your foraging leaves the environment healthy and thriving.
By the end of the class, you’ll have increased skills and a greater sense of confidence to forage mushrooms safely and sustainably, while deepening your connection with nature and the fascinating world of fungi!
What to Bring:
the book "All That the Rain Promises and More: A Hip Pocket Guide to Western Mushrooms" by David Arora
boots
rain gear
basket
knife
Tuition:
$135 (includes state sales tax)
Ages:
12 + (minors must be accompanied by a registered adult)
INTRO TO PACIFIC NORTHWEST MUSHROOMS *NEW DATE*
November 7, 2026
Explore the ecology and diversity of Pacific Northwest mushrooms as you learn to identify common species and the habitats they thrive in. With hands-on guidance, you’ll build the skills you need to forage safely and sustainably.
November 7
10:00am - 3:00pm
Location:
Sequim, WA
Instructor:
Katy Bowman
Step outside the kitchen to discover how satisfying—and surprisingly refined—outdoor cooking can be. This class goes far beyond campout staples, and focuses on making excellent food in outdoor settings using simple tools and technique.
Participants will learn to cook balanced, flavorful meals over open fire and coals, exploring cast iron cooking, baking, and elevated stick-roasting methods that turn a humble campfire into a gourmet workspace. We’ll cover fire management, heat control, timing, and food safety, along with practical tips for prep and cleanup in outdoor environments.
Expect hands-on instruction, shared meals, and recipes you’ll actually want to cook again—whether you’re backpacking, camping, or enjoying a backyard fire. No prior outdoor cooking experience required, just curiosity and an appetite. We will be cooking both meat and vegetarian items, and can accommodate gluten and dairy free needs. Come hungry!
What to Bring:
your favorite kitchen knife
cutting board
plenty of water to drink
Tuition: $175
Ages:
13+ (under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult)
BEYOND HOT DOGS AND MARSHMALLOWS: OUTDOOR COOKING
November 7, 2026
Step beyond basic campfire fare and discover how refined and satisfying outdoor cooking can be. In this hands-on class, you’ll learn to create balanced, flavorful meals over open fire using simple tools, with techniques like cast iron cooking, baking, and elevated stick-roasting. Whether you’re camping or in your own backyard, you’ll leave with practical skills, memorable recipes, and the confidence to cook deliciously outdoors—no experience needed.
2027
VILLAGE CLASS
February 20 and 21, 2027
Tradition and creativity meet in this two-day, hands-on community workshop. Choose from four time-honored crafts: bowmaking, backpack basket weaving, leather shoemaking, and leather backpack sewing.
Saturday, March 20, 2027
8:00am-12:00pm
Location:
Marrowstone Island
Instructor:
Scott Brinton
Birds are constantly communicating about what’s happening in the environment through behavior and vocalizations. You, too, can learn the ancient skill of interpreting the voices and movements of birds!
Begin to understand where the aerial and land predators are and tap into a deeper awareness of yourself and nature. When aware of the vocalizations and movements of songbirds, it’s possible to distinguish between the movement of predators such as coyotes, birds of prey, or even the neighborhood cat! Students will learn to decipher between primary and secondary alarms, and gain “invisibility routines” that lessen our own disturbance to view more wildlife.
This interactive class is sure to help you understand that a deeper awareness and connection to nature, that many have forgotten in these modern times, is possible — even if you live in a city.
Participation in this course will help you to:
Deepen your relationship to nature
Begin to recognize the songs and calls of some of our most common bird species
Understand the five voices of birds and the different shapes of alarm
Improve your tracking and pattern recognition skills
Hone your mapping and storytelling skills
Calm your nervous system & quiet your mind
Gain tools that will allow you to be more attentive to your surroundings and sensitive to your effect on other beings and wild nature
Whether you're an avid birdwatcher, a nature enthusiast, or simply curious about the hidden conversations happening all around us, this class offers something for everyone.
What to Bring:
footwear and layers for being outside — we will be moving a little and also sitting still for a time
small foam pad to sit on (or piece of tarp or lightweight chair)
snacks/water bottle
small notebook (Rite in the Rain might be useful, if you have it)
writing utensil
pack to carry everything
optional: binoculars and field guide
Recommended reading: What The Robin Knows by Jon Young is a wonderful supplement to support your bird language journey.
Tuition:
$45
Ages:
18+
INTERPRETING BIRD BEHAVIOR
Saturday, March 20, 2027
Birds are constantly communicating about what's happening in the environment through behavior and vocalizations. You, too, can learn the ancient skill of interpreting the voices and movements of birds!
Saturday, April 17 and Sunday, April 18, 2027
9:00am - 4:00pm
Location:
Northwest Olympic Peninsula
Instructor:
Andrew Stratton
An exclusive opportunity to gain hands-on field experience in a small group (maximum of 6 participants), guided by regional expert Andrew Stratton from the Olympic Cougar Project.
Enhance your skills in tracking and trailing wildlife with this comprehensive course which provides in-depth training on identifying and following animal trails, understanding behavioral signs, and utilizing tracking tools effectively.
Throughout the program, participants will learn to:
Identify Tracks and Sign: Accurately recognize and interpret animal tracks, scat, and other indicators of wildlife presence.
Follow Trails: Develop techniques for tracking animals through various terrains and environmental conditions.
Understand Animal Behavior: Gain insights into the habits and movements of different species, improving your ability to predict their behavior and movements.
Aging and Event Sequencing: Develop skills to age tracks and sequence events, allowing you to place animal activities within a timeline.
Use Tracking Tools: Learn to effectively use tools such as track identifiers, field guides, and GPS for accurate tracking.
This intensive course combines theoretical knowledge with practical field exercises, ensuring participants acquire the skills needed for both recreational tracking and professional wildlife monitoring. Join us to deepen your understanding of wildlife and enhance your trailing and tracking expertise.
Tuition:
$395
Ages:
16+ (minors must be accompanied by a registered adult)
WILDLIFE TRAILING INTENSIVE
April 17 and 18, 2027
Led by regional expert Andrew Stratton, this intensive, small-group course offers hands-on field experience in wildlife tracking and trailing. Participants will learn to identify tracks, follow trails across various terrains, understand animal behavior, and use tracking tools for recreational or professional wildlife monitoring.
Saturday, May 8 and Sunday, May 9, 2027
Location:
Port Townsend and surrounding area
Instructor:
David Moskowitz
Spend two days in the field with professional wildlife tracker, naturalist, and educator David Moskowitz in this Cybertracker certification course (www.cybertracker.org).
David has an approach that is highly interactive, with "test" questions starting in the first moments of class. He actively engages participants in identification and interpretation of tracks and signs, and allows plenty of time for questions and discussion.
This style is an excellent way to learn and investigate whether or not you answer enough questions correctly to attain a Cybertracker Track & Sign Certification.
Certificates are awarded on three levels.
Class size is limited to 10 people
Lodging and food not provided.
This class fills quickly— early registration recommended.
Note: No experience is necessary to take this course, but some understanding of tracking is helpful.
Tuition:
$425 (includes state sales tax)
Ages:
18+, or 16+ with parent enrollment
Financial Assistance: TCNA (Tracker Certification North America) has limited funds to provide financial access, particularly to participants from historically marginalized communities (e.g., BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, women) and anyone who needs financial support. Participants can apply for financial access here.
What is Cybertracker Conservation? This system started off as a software program designed to help South African indigenous trackers, who could not read or write, gather wildlife data for conservation efforts. While the evaluation is an excellent measure of observer reliability, what’s more, it is an unparalleled training tool in the field of wildlife tracking and natural history. It is the international tracking gold standard certifying people in Africa, Europe, and North America, with thousands of people having been certified in the United States alone. Learn more at www.trackercertification.com.
WILDLIFE TRACK AND SIGN CERTIFICATION
May 8 and 9, 2027
Spend two days in the field with professional wildlife tracker, naturalist, and educator David Moskowitz in this Cybertracker certification course (www.cybertracker.org). David actively engages participants in identification and interpretation of tracks and signs, and allows plenty of time for questions and discussion.
Saturday, May 22, 2027
10:00am - 4:00pm
Location:
Port Townsend, WA
Instructor:
Ramzy Berbawy
Practice the art of fire-making and hand-carve a functioning bow drill kit to take home!
In this immersive, 6-hour class, we will learn to identify and harvest the best local woods for starting a fire by friction—including the hearth board, spindle, and tinder bundle.
Under expert guidance, you will carve a complete, working bow drill kit. We will deeply focus on the physics and anatomy of fire (tinder nests, coal management, and wood species), ensuring you can successfully coax a glowing ember into an open flame.
While our primary focus is carving and mastering the bow drill, we will also explore the broader spectrum of survival fire. You will get hands-on demonstrations with other traditional and modern tools—such as flint and steel, ferro rods, and foul-weather modern adaptions—giving you the skills to craft a fire in even the harshest wilderness survival conditions.
This is a great activity for parent and child!
What to Bring:
A fixed-blade or locking carving knife
Durable, weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear (we will be working outdoors).
Water bottle and a packed lunch.
Tuition:
$160 (Includes materials & WA sales tax)
Ages:
12 + (minors must be accompanied by a registered adult)
FRICTION & FIRE: THE BOW DRILL & SURVIVAL FIRE
May 22, 2027
Learn the art of fire-making from the ground up, including hand-carving your own working bow drill kit and practicing the fundamentals of fire by friction. You’ll explore a range of traditional and modern methods—from tinder and ember management to flint and steel, ferro rods, and foul-weather fire-starting.
June 12 and 13, 2027
9:00am - 4:00pm
Location:
Northwest Olympic Peninsula
Instructor:
Andrew Stratton
Spend two days exploring the hidden world of the Peninsula’s largest apex predator with Olympic Cougar Project’s Andrew Stratton. This introductory field course offers a rare opportunity to see how cougars shape—and move through—their wild landscapes. Through field outings, guided discussions, and hands-on exercises, you’ll gain a grounded understanding of cougar ecology, behavior, and the conservation challenges they face. We’ll also cover practical, community-focused ways to live responsibly in cougar country.
Topics include:
Tracking fundamentals: identifying cougar sign and interpreting behavior
Trail-camera use and evidence interpretation
GPS tools for mapping territories and movement
Reading wildlife corridors in fragmented landscapes
Anatomy and interpretation of a mountain lion kill site
Best practices for encounters and coexistence
Perfect for naturalists, hikers, land stewards, and anyone interested in deepening their understanding of these remarkable animals.
Tuition:
$395 (includes state sales tax)
Ages:
16+ (minors must be accompanied by a registered adult)
COUGARS OF THE OLYMPIC PENINSULA: A WEEKEND INTENSIVE
June 12 and 13, 2027
Explore the fundamentals of cougar ecology, tracking, and coexistence in this immersive two-day field intensive on the Northwest Olympic Peninsula. Led by wildlife researcher Andrew Stratton, you will practice identifying cougar sign, reading wildlife corridors, and using trail cameras to understand these apex predators.
Saturday, July 17, 2027
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location:
Irondale, WA
Instructor:
Jason Knight
Learn how to identify wild plants, trees, & shrubs and their edible, medicinal, and craft uses; while exploring forested trails and adjacent habitats. Gain experience with practical plant identification techniques. Sample a variety of wild edible plants found along the walk. Learn safe foraging and ethical harvesting best practices. Gain an understanding of the the historical & current uses of wild plants.
No prior experience necessary.
Tuition:
$95
Ages:
10 + (minors must be accompanied by a registered adult)
WILD EDIBLE PLANTS
July 17, 2027
This guided walk teaches practical identification techniques for wild plants, trees, and shrubs, highlighting their edible, medicinal, and historical uses. Participants will sample wild edibles while learning safe foraging methods and ethical harvesting best practices along forested trails.
Sunday, July 18, 2027
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location:
Greater Port Townsend area
Instructor:
Jason Knight
Before the advent of metal-working all of our ancestors depended on implements made out of rock for survival. Stones can be shaped into a variety of functional tools, such as arrowheads, axes, knives, and grinding implements. Having an understanding of how to shape and use rock is an invaluable wilderness survival skill.
In this workshop, you'll learn how to turn common stones and obsidian into useful tools. You'll create a basic stone blade and other tools to take home. You'll also be guided through the process of making obsidian arrow points.
Students will learn percussion techniques for core and biface reduction, and pressure techniques for finishing spear and arrow points. The class is designed for beginners new to flintknapping and stone tool making.
Tuition:
$145
Ages:
15 + (minors must be accompanied by a registered adult)
STONE TOOLS & FLINTKNAPPING CLASS
July 18, 2027
Designed for beginners, this hands-on workshop introduces the foundational wilderness survival skill of flintknapping using common stones and obsidian. Participants will practice percussion and pressure flaking techniques to create and take home their own functional stone blades and arrow points.
Saturday, December 4, 2027, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Location:
Marrowstone Island
Instructor:
Rachael VanLaanen
Join local farmer and weaver Rachael Van Laanen for a day of creating small projects that help participants become accustomed to working with willow. Participants will be able to make a variety of woven items, including decorative stars or fish, bird feeders, bowls, etc. Techniques learned are essential building blocks for all other willow basket projects.
This is a great class for parents and kids (10 and up).
Tuition:
$140 + $25 material fee
Ages:
10+ (minors must be accompanied by a registered adult)
LEARNING TO WEAVE WITH WILLOW
December 4, 2027
Spend a day with local farmer and weaver Rachael Van Laanen, learning the fundamentals of willow weaving. Create charming woven projects like stars, fish, bird feeders, and bowls—perfect for holiday decorating or gifting.