Wolf Camp has been teaching adult and family classes and workshops every year since 1996, and you can still learn from the source with directors Kim & Chris Chisholm. We’re passionate about teaching the real, practical life skills our ancestors always knew, as well as enhancing that knowledge with modern research and discoveries, and ultimately sharing the profound secrets of nature that remain hidden around our neighborhoods and in the wilderness.
Springtime Adult and Family Workshops
Saturdays from 9:30-5:30 and designed for adults, but youth may enroll with a parent or guardian.
March 21, 2026: Wilderness Survival & Fire by Friction in Puyallup WA includes training on the order of survival, natural bivouac shelters that work in real emergencies, the best methods of making fire in all weather conditions, and knife training to carve a bow drill kit for fire-by-friction. Cost for this workshop is $165, plus $130 per additional friend/family member (including taxes) with scholarships available and carpooling from Renton.
April 4, 2026: Wild Edible Foods Foraging & Herbal Medicine Making in Puyallup WA includes hands-on harvesting, cooking of wild edible plants, and making herbal medicines from plants
around Blue Skye Farm as well as near-by fields and forests in our beautiful bioregion. Cost for this workshop $195 for one person, plus $165 per additional friend/family member (including taxes) with scholarships available and carpooling from Renton.
April 11, 2026: Wildlife Safety & Awareness: Animal Tracking & Bird Language takes place near Orting WA and has a name that says it all. After today you’ll be able to use wildlife field guides and apps to identify critters most people can only guess at, and recognize how bird calls and animal tracks can keep you safe as well as bring you intimately close to nature. Cost for this workshop is $135, plus $110 per additional friend/family member (including taxes) with scholarships available and carpooling from Renton & Puyallup.
May 2, 2026: Backcountry Safety, Natural Navigation, Map & Compass in Ashford WA includes risk management training for hikes and backpacking trips, lost proofing, and orienteering with map and compass, among other critical skills for when venturing alone or leading others into the wilderness. Cost for this workshop is $165, plus $130 per additional friend/family member (including taxes) with scholarships available and transportation provided from Puyallup.
Registration Options
Simply reserve your spots via one of the following methods, or click on specific programs for FAQs:
• Zelle using our email address as recipient, or • Venmo to @Chris-Chisholm-13 • or CashApp to $wolfschool with a note including participant names (and ages of minors), program date/theme, plus your CONTACT INFORMATION (phone number is fine if system doesn’t give email address option) if we don’t already have your info since Zelle doesn’t automatically share that with us;
• Or PayPal/Apple Pay/Debit/Credit Card Deposit;
• Or call us between 9am-9pm at 425-248-0253 ex 1 with a credit card to register over the phone;
Or email us to be put on our list for this program in the future. We always keep your information absolutely private, and will never share it.
Join Us at Upcoming Public Event Booths!
February 7, 2026 Bellevue Camp Fair on Saturday from 12:00-3:00 at Bellevue College, sponsored by Coast-To-Coast Camp Fairs via CampSearch.com.
March 13-14, 2026 Pierce Conservation Native Plant Sale on Friday 10:00-4:00 and Saturday 11:00-3:00 at the Pierce Conservation District, 308 West Stewart Avenue in Puyallup.
March 28, 2026 Spring Into Adventure hosted by Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park on Saturday 10:00-2:00 at the park, 2000 NW Sammamish Rd in Issaquah.
April 18, 2026 Earth Week Kick-Off at the Puyallup Farmer’s Market from 9:00-2:00 in Pioneer Park.
April 25, 2026 Issaquah Sustainability Fair on Saturday 9:00-2:00 at the Pickering Barn, 1730 10th Ave NW in Issaquah next to Costco.
May 9, 2026 Meeker Creek Spring Work Party on Saturday 10:30-12:30 at the corner of 14th St SW & 10th Ave SW in Puyallup.
October 3, 2026 Pierce County Salmon Homecoming on Saturday from 11:00-3:00 at the Puyallup Historic Fish Hatchery.
October 10, 2026 Meeker Mansion Cider Squeeze on Saturday from 10:00-3:00 at 312 Spring St in Puyallup.
Summer Classes & Campout – Not Available in 2026 Sorry!
Times, Location & Costs – We rent the 80 Acre Hans Jensen Group Camp at Lake Sammamish State Park this week, with morning and afternoon classes between 9:30-3:30 Monday-Friday. Cost for the series of classes is $345 per person (minimum two family members registering, at least one being an adult) with discounts for children 6 and under ($50 less per year of age) and optional primitive camping fee of $100/tent/week (Sunday evening or Monday morning arrival, Friday afternoon departure) or choose near-by lodging options. If staying on site, bring a Coleman stove for making your own meals, and/or visit near-by grocery stores/restaurants when you prefer. We will be doing the same, and we encourage you to cook/eat in the same area as us if you like all week.
FAQs – Can we camp fewer nights and register for some classes and not others? Yes, but due to administrative and park rental fees, camping is a $100/tent contribution no matter how many nights you stay, and individual classes are $45/class per person with registration on our Family Classes Campout page or by clicking here to use credit card. Are there any activities available after 3:30 pm, and are there showers or electricity? The campout option is designed to make it easy for participants to attend classes; we don’t have activities after 3:30 but we recommend going over to the main area of the park for swimming and outdoor showers. We do have running potable water on site, but no power except for solar and in vehicles, so we recommend you prepare similarly if you need to charge devices etc.
June 23, 2025 Monday Morning from 9:30-12:00 Natural Navigation, Wildlife Safety & Awareness – This class will be a fun and informative way to learn how to exponentially increase your senses of sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing to get your bearings in the wilderness. We will introduce you to 15 ways to navigate in the wilderness, and practice what to do in case of encounters with bears, wolves and mountain lions.
June 23, 2025 Monday Afternoon from 1:00-3:30 Lostproofing, Map & Compass – This class can be taken as a stand-alone class, but it will also build upon the morning class, continuing with 15 more ways to navigate including our special Wolf Camp 4 Step Methods of using map and compass.
June 24, 2025 Tuesday Morning from 9:30-12:00 Birds and Their Voices – In this class, you will also learn how to identify birds quickly and how birds communicate, both with one another as well as with other animals and humans. In so doing, you’ll know where those big animals are moving through the forest.
June 24, 2025 Tuesday Afternoon from 1:00-3:30 Tracking & Trailing Wild Animals – We will start class with an overview of wildlife tracking to help you recognize tracks and other signs of animals, including track characteristics of mammal families present in our bioregion. Your instructors will arrange a “tracking scenario” consisting of track “cut-outs” to solidify your understanding of track identification, plus educated interpretation of what animals are doing based on their tracks. We will also choose some volunteers to demonstrate “animal forms” which are the way animals move, as this is critical to really understand how tracks get laid on the ground. Finally, we’ll embark on a real-life tracking expedition into the depths of the park, trailing what we find.
June 25, 2025 Wednesday Morning from 9:30-12:00 Wilderness Survival including Best Emergency Shelter – The world can be a dangerous place sometimes; one never knows when they may end up in a survival situation. This class seeks to give you a run down on all the skills needed for any short term survival event, whether that is a day hike gone wrong, a disaster emergency or a fun two hour class for the whole family.
June 25, 2025 Wednesday Afternoon from 1:00-3:30 Old School Fire Making including the Bow Drill & Fire Steel – We will walk you through the best way to make a fire and view a variety of materials to see how they burn as tinder. We will start the bow drill portion of the workshop by reflecting the symbolism of the parts of the bow drill kit, and you will realize why this method of fire-by-friction was preferred (and superior even to matches) for lighting fires in cold and wet climates. It should only take 10 seconds to create a coal if your kit is well constructed.
June 26, 2025 Thursday Morning from 9:30-12:00 Wild Edible Food Plants & Critters – We’ll start this class by practicing honorable harvesting methods and plant stewardship as we select the plant parts we need and carefully collect and store them for later use. You’ll learn when and where to look for the Top 10 Edible Plants of our region, and how to identify and prepare them. We’ll also spend some time examining poisonous look-a-likes and we’ll discuss safety in the forest. Finally, we’ll go on a foray for wild edible insects!
June 26, 2025 Thursday Afternoon from 1:00-3:30 Gardening Wild Plants for Herbal Medicine – In this class you will be introduced to the myriad wild medicinal plants and garden herbs for herbal medicine.
June 27, 2025 Friday Morning from 9:30-12:00 Nature Artists & Artisans: Wildcrafting Plants & Animals – In this class, you’ll be introduced to natural resources used for rope, baskets, musical instruments, natural paints and dyes, processing sinew and bone tools, rawhide, leather, and other crafts for natural living. Give us your preferences earlier in the week for what you’d like to make, and we’ll harvest and bring supplies in preparation.
June 27, 2025 Friday Afternoon from 1:00-3:30 Advanced Map & Compass Skills – In this class, we will start with an intensive primer on the 30 ways to navigate in the wilderness, and then put compass on map to “triangulate” your location and find your way across the landscape of Lake Sammamish State Park.
Healing Nature Walks – On Sabbatical Since 2024
Join original Wolf Camp instructor Nayaret Quezada-Salazar for weekly Nature Healing Walks, usually on Sundays from 2-5 p.m. The walks help participants connect with nature and its medicinal properties, for healing of the body, mind, emotions, soul and spirit. Practice Earthing Meditations (sitting, lying down and moving) to connect with ourselves, as well as the plants, animals and elemental protectors of nature. RSVP via the Northwest Nature Hikes meetup page as events are listed. Contributions requested of between $5-$25 per person when you arrive for the hike to support Nayaret for her time and travel expenses. Initial healing walks include:
- Nature Healing Walk to Seaside Bluffs & Tide Pools – Deception Pass State Park at Rosario Beach RETURNING AGAIN IN 2025 TBA
- Nature Healing Walk to Riverside Raptor Nests & Animal Tracks – Bob Hierman Wildlife Park on the Snohomish River RETURNING AGAIN IN 2025 TBA
- Nature Healing Walk to Owl Nests & Bear Dens – Lake Sammamish State Park, Issaquah WA RETURNING AGAIN IN 2025 TBA
- Nature Healing Walk to Artesian Springs & Old Growth Trees – Clark’s Creek Park Fish Hatchery, Puyallup WA RETURNING AGAIN IN 2025 TBA
Accessible Northwest Natural History Hikes – On Sabbatical Since 2024
These hikes are run by accessibility advocate Matt Budzak and naturalists from the Conservation College on urban and accessible trails. Suggested donation of $15 per person are requested to support the Conservation Luminary program. RSVP via the Northwest Nature Hikes meetup page as events are listed.
- Clark’s Creek Park Birding in Puyallup WA from 12:00-3:00 pm.
- Swan Creek Park Community Gardens & Canyon Rim Trail, Tacoma WA
- Native Plants of Bradley Lake & Pierce Collegein Puyallup WA from 12:00-3:00 pm.
Previously Recorded Classes: Ethnobotany Series & Survival Series
Series of 10 Recorded Live Classes on Herbal Medicine & Plant Crafts
- Class 1 – The Art & Science of Herbal Medicine, Wildcrafting & Wild Food Nutrition (content example)
- Class 2 – Summer Medicine Cabinet Staples: Mint, Chamomile, Lavender, Plantain & More (content example)
- Class 3 – Winter Medicine Cabinet Staples: Yarrow, Arnica, Rose Hips, Pine Needles, Marshmallow, Elder & More (content example)
- Class 4 – Stinging Nettles for Medicine, Rope & Fiber Crafts (content example)
- Class 5 – Cattails & Sedges for Cordage, Coasters, Weaving & More (content example)
- Class 6 – Grasses & Rushes for Insulative Sitting Mats, Thatching Roofs & More (content example)
- Class 7 – Willows for Medicine, Basketry, Lashing & Shelter (content example)
- Class 8 – Oak Tree Craft Projects & Processing Acorn Flour (content example)
- Class 9 – Top Trees & Shrubs for Digging Sticks, Drums, At-Latls, Bows & Arrows (content example)
- Class 10 – Making Alcohol Tinctures (Yarrow Example), Rose Honey & Glycerites (Fennel Example) as well as the best plants/trees for fire by friction and fire maintenance
Series of 10 Recorded Live Classes on Wilderness Survival & Bushcraft Skills
- Class 1 – The Order of Survival & Four Minutes to establish Personal Awareness, Communication & Teamwork (content example)
- Class 2 – Local Knowledge & Four Hours to Make Shelter (content example)
- Class 3 – Fire Decisions & Four Days to Pure Water (content example)
- Class 4 – Wild Medicine & Four Weeks to Secure Food (content example)
- Class 5 – Wilderness First Aid, Knife & Tool Training (content example)
- Cass 6 – Fire Steel, Tinder, Criss-Cross Fire Making & Burn Bowls (content example)
- Class 7 – Fire By Friction: Bow Drill, Hand Drill, Flint & Steel (content example)
- Class 8 – Rabbitsticks & Bow Making Primer (content example)
- Class 9 – Arrows & At-Latl Dart Primer (content example)
- Class 10 – Special Final Classes on Wilderness Survival & Bushcraft Training, including how to make string, rope and cordage from plants like raffia, cedar and stinging nettle; and a special guest speaker Seth Kantner live from above the arctic circle. Seth is an acclaimed photographer and author of books including Ordinary Wolves, Swallowed by the Great Land, Shopping for Porcupine, Pup and Pokey. Due to the miracle of modern technology, this will be a rare opportunity for us to hear about surviving and thriving in the wilds of Northwest Alaska.
Workshops/Classes FAQs & Liability Release
FAQs – Please click on specific program pages for answers to all questions.
Liability Release & Refund Policy – Can we get a refund if we cancel, and do we need to sign a liability release? Our refund policy only offers credit for future programs if you cancel, as detailed in the second to the last paragraph below. By registering for any program, you thereby agree to our liability release herein unless you specify disagreement with specific portions in advance, such as sharing of photos and video for promotional purposes. Otherwise, Christopher & Kimberly M. Chisholm, dba Wolf Camp, the Wolf College, Blue Skye Farm and School of Natural Science, all hereinafter known as Wolf Camp, cannot guarantee that the risks listed or implied herein won’t occur. So in consideration of services of Wolf Camp, its owners, officers, agents, employees, assistants and all other persons or entities associated with this business – including third parties such as collaborators, financial contributors, and host sites / land owners and renters upon whose property this business conducts programs like the Conservation College, WA State Parks, WA DNR, WDFW, city parks, private farms and campgrounds, etc. along with their officers, elected officials, agents and employees (hereafter known as Third Parties) – you agree as follows:
“Although Wolf Camp will take reasonable steps to provide me (or my child) with appropriate support and security, certain risks cannot be eliminated without compromising the educational character of Wolf Camp programs. The same elements that contribute to this educational character can be causes of loss or damage to equipment, accidental injury or illness, or in extreme cases, permanent trauma, illness or death. I understand since its legal founding, Wolf Camp participants have experienced cuts, bruises, burns, concussion, broken bones, sprained knees and ankles, likely infections, illness including appendicitis, heat exhaustion, and once in a while some tears, despite the best efforts by staff to attend to the physical, emotional, mental, and social needs of participants.In group teaching situations, it is impossible to prevent discomfort and even trauma in every circumstance, even though it is a top priority. I trust that Wolf Camp staff wants me (or my child) to become a healthier person, but in order to facilitate the kind of education Wolf Camp intends, I agree to waive all claims of liability on the part of Wolf Camp and its Third Parties.
“The lands and facilities that Wolf Camp utilize may be natural areas next to wilderness, and services can be few. Participants living in tents and in the open may be exposed to weather, venomous and wild animals, human intruders and all hazards common to living. As anywhere, the services provided, including sanitary facilities, drinking water, kitchen and food services at Wolf Camp programs are susceptible to contamination. Those who participate in Wolf Camp programs and assist in camp maintenance, food preparation and clean-up do so in good faith but assume no responsibility for accidental or incidental illness or injury that may result. Fires, knapping pit, weapons/archery range, farm animal areas, sharp tools, hazardous plants, boats, water, vehicles and other hazards expose participants to risk. There are times when participants are able to range freely within designated boundaries, go alone to their study site, pet animals, play in wooded areas which have limited visual perspective, and participate in supervised swimming and boating.
“Wolf Camp owners and staff, paid and volunteer, offer their services to make programs wonderful. However, I agree they are not responsible for accidents, injuries, illnesses or losses that may come as a result of my (child’s) participation. I understand that the description of risks is not complete and that other unknown or unanticipated risks may result in loss, injury or death. I agree to assume responsibility for all risks, even those not identified herein. My (child’s) participation in Wolf Camp activities is purely voluntary. By signing below, I elect to participate in spite of the risks, listed or implied or not, and I waive all legal claims against Wolf Camp and its Third Parties. I assume full responsibility for all costs resulting from all losses and expenses thereof, whether resulting from evacuation, transport, treatment, future effect or otherwise. I have read, understood, and accepted the terms and conditions stated herein and acknowledge that this participation agreement, assumption of risk, and waiver of liability shall be effective and binding upon myself, all family members, heirs, assigns, personal representatives, estates, interested friends and partners.
“Health Insurance & Medical Treatment: I certify that the applicant named on this form is capable of participating in this activity, and that she/he/they has current, full medical coverage at all times while attending Wolf Camp activities with a deductible not to exceed $2,000 per incident and per year. I understand Wolf Camp can direct me to affordable temporary health insurance upon request. I give full consent (for my child) to receive medical treatment deemed necessary by those responsible, whether or not reasonable attempt made to inform next of kin is successful. I will assume full financial responsibility for any cost relating to any accident or injury that may occur while participating in Wolf Camp programs. I hold all people associated with Wolf Camp harmless for any loss, accident, injury or death that might occur, and I hereby agree to release and indemnify Wolf Camp and its Third Parties whatsoever, from any claims and/or damages arising out of my (child’s) participation. Qualified instructors, guides, and other facilitators associated with Wolf Camp may provide First Aid and CPR response to participants in case of injury or other health problems, including calling for professional medical assistance. I also understand that emergency medical response may not be readily available due to travel outside of 911 call areas. I agree to indicate on an attached paper any health care requests that may conflict with the training of Wolf Camp staff, and I understand that although efforts will be made to accommodate my attached requests, that persons responsible may nonetheless make “Good Samaritan” decisions that they deem best in health care situations.
“Behavior & Lost Items: I will not hold Wolf Camp, Third Parties, nor any program participant responsible for articles or personal belongings lost or damaged by any means (fire, theft, activities, laundry, etc.). I know that participants may be asked to leave at any time for inappropriate behavior, and no refund nor credit will be given for the portion of the program which is missed. I will be sure to read the behavioral agreements after registering, or view them meanwhile online. I also understand that people gathering as strangers in a common space bring with them their own politics, spirituality, and social behaviors, creating group dynamics that may be new. Wolf Camp encourages participants to be exposed to a variety of age-appropriate backgrounds, value systems and acceptable behaviors. I agree that I (and my child) will be respectful, tolerant and temperate in behaviors while participating in Wolf Camp activities. I also understand that unpredictability of human nature can’t guarantee a lack of incidents on the part of other participants.
“Refund & Suspension Policy: Deposits and payments are not refundable unless we don’t accept your application. If you cancel for any reason, you may receive a prorated credit good through the following calendar year on appropriate and available programs listed on our schedule, although an additional deposit is needed to secure your spot in the future program. If a program you sign up for is canceled and not rescheduled at a time you can attend, you may receive a full refund except in cases of natural (weather, geologic, wildfire, etc) disasters, grid failures, epidemics, government shutdowns, conflicts or curfews, or other unforeseen emergencies making it unsafe for staff and/or attendees to reach or use program locations, in which case all payments made will be held by us without expiration date for your future use in appropriate/available programs of your choice. Reasons include the expenditure of funds (property rentals, advertising, materials, admin staff time, etc.) long before programs take place, i.e. deposits make it feasible for Wolf Camp to schedule programs in the first place, but our mutually understood agreement is that Wolf Camp will run the program at the safest available time in the future. Finally, no refund, nor credit, is given if a participant is asked to leave a program for inappropriateness as determined by our kids, youth and adult agreements for participation, so I commit to reading the agreements and (my child) adhering to them, taking full risk of (she/he/they) missing program time without refund.
“Photos, Video & Recordings: I give permission for pictures, audio and video recordings (of my child) to be taken and for the sounds and images to be used for Wolf Camp advertisements, websites, social networking sites, and other program promotions or outreach, unless otherwise indicated. In consideration of all statements made on all pages of this release, and not relying on any other information stated or published by Wolf Camp or any other entity that may or may not contradict statements on these pages, I wish to (have my child) participate in the Wolf Camp activities indicated or implied through program payments.”