Living with the Land

Survival and Foraging Essentials with Charlie Serra

Kettle Falls, WA

Explore the gastronomic richness of Northeastern Washington's flora, in the context of stone-age subsistence and survival skills. (See Course Topics, below.) Prepare the staples of an ancestral diet with wild ingredients, integrating survival skills like friction fire, stone tools, fibercraft, basketry and shelter building.

Continuing with our focus to help heal the connection between humans and nature, this experiential outdoor educational course is designed to elevate your confidence in foraging sustenance from and surviving with the land, and to foster community and dialogue around our connection to the earth and each other.

See Dates and details, below

Included with Instruction:

  • 3.5+ days of expert instruction

  • Small group size with an emphasis on hands-on, active, outdoor learning

  • Delicious, nourishing, locally-sourced meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) prepared on-site (with a few meals prepared in the field by participants with foraged foods)

  • Course materials, tools, and equipment

  • On-site camping and hot showers (limited upgraded accommodations available)

  • Invitation to participate in alumni events

  • See Course Topics, below

 
 
 

COURSE TOPICS

Tools and Survival

  • Friction fire

  • Shelter building

  • Plant fiber cordage production

  • Drinking water safety

  • Stone Age tools

  • Bark baskets

Hunting side of Gathering

Wild food

  • Wild fruit/root/seed processing and preservation

  • Jerky, fat-rendering, and pemmican

  • Foods for emergency situations

  • Seasonal harvest planning and organization

Plant taxonomy and identification

  • Staple food plants

  • Poisonous look-alikes

  • Important trees to know for tools and survival

Wild Food in Context

  • Contemporary culinary applications of wild food

  • Wild food ecology, conservation, and sustainable harvest

  • Wild food sociocultural issues 

Note: Course topics subject to current conditions and availability at the time of course. Many of these topics are readily available to us during this course, and some will depend on seasonal fluctuations and what the natural world presents us with this year.

 
 

Course Dates

  • Spring 2024

Size Limit: 6 Adults (+kids)

Course Tuition: (All-inclusive for four days/three nights)

  • Adult: $1400

  • Accompanied Child (ages 10-18): $800

Schedule: This course will begin at noon on the start date (please arrive between 11 AM and noon) and conclude by 1 PM on the final day.

Occurs concurrently with an Awaken the Hunter Course

These are separate tracks that will concentrate on specific curriculum, but participants will be together for some meals and stay together on site, with some overlap during the days and evenings around the fire. Great option for partners who want to explore different topics.

See FAQ's for general gear requirements. Exact location and directions will be provided with registration confirmation.