Wilderness Survival Training & Fire-by-Friction Workshop

Name: Wilderness Survival Training & Fire-by-Friction Workshop
Start: 2026-03-21T09:30:00-07:00
End: 2026-03-21T17:30:00-07:00
Location: 1026 14th St SW, Puyallup, WA 98371-7344, United States

Schedule

Sat Mar 21 2026 at 09:30 am to 05:30 pm

UTC-07:00

Location

1026 14th St SW, Puyallup, WA 98371-7344, United States | Puyallup, WA

We'll start with the most critical information everything else flows from: an overview of our order of emergency survival – with or without gear in town or wilderness. We’ll also discuss the most essential tools to carry with you depending on your skill level. For a primer, read our article on the Critical Order of Emergency Survival, and remember, survival requires multi-tasking, so during this time, we will also pass out materials for you to learn the “reverse wrap” method of making rope.
We will also discuss a big dilemma in survival situations: when to stay and when to go. We have a formula for you to decide, taking into consideration the amount of daylight, your available gear, your position relative to where you are and who you notified about your trip, and how “hungry, angry, lonely, tired and thirsty” you are. Depending on your score, you will either have to make shelter or navigate your way out of a mock survival scenario. Additional skills will include the the Top 10 Hazards to avoid, so that you never experience a survival situation.
The Bow Drill & Fire by Friction portion of the workshop runs in the afternoon and begins by showing you how to gather fire making materials, and walking you through the Best Way To Make A Fire which is critical for starting fire in the rain. We’ll view a variety of materials to see how they burn as tinder: various barks, seed down, leaves, laundry lint, and grass are used for different circumstances, and you can choose your own materials for a tinder bundle. The reason we always emphasize basic fire-making skills along with traditional fire-by-friction is that there’s no reason to bother making a bow-drill coal, let alone striking a match, unless you’ve prepared materials that will sustain your fire. The scenario will require you to choose the best natural shelter and fire location in the area, then see if you can start and maintain a fire.
FAQs
Who are the instructors? Wolf Camp directors Kim & Chris Chisholm are leading the workshops this weekend.
What ages can participate? Workshops are designed for adults, but youth may enroll with a parent/guardian.
How should we prepare for the workshop? Please prepare as you normally would for a hike, including snacks, lunch, water bottle, 10 essentials, etc., but especially with appropriate clothing including rain gear and waterproof footwear.
For more information and to register, click on https://wolfcamp.org/classes-workshops/weekend/wilderness-survival-including-bow-drill-fire-by-friction/