TRADITIONAL ARROW MAKING
2026-07-04 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Dude on right, discusses a new traditional arrow made by Paul Campbell.
Saturday, July 4, 10 a.m., TRADITIONAL ARROW MAKING
$65 ($45 for seniors and students)

BUSHCRAFT SKILLS
This is one of the fundamental bushcraft skills that all hunter-gatherers needed to know. You might make a new bow every year, but you had to make arrows all the time.
In this class, you will learn the basic parts of the arrow, and how an arrow can be very simple, or more complex.
You will learn at least two common methods that arrows were made in the past. You will learn each step of making the traditional arrow, and then each student will make one. You will learn all the steps along the way, from selection of wood, shaft straightening, to adding the nocks, points, and feathers.
Bring your knife, and fine files if you have them. Otherwise, tools will be provided.
What’s more important? The bow, or the arrow? Obviously, the arrow, since it is the projectile that flies through the air. It must be straight, and properly aligned.
Nearly every society of the past used archery for hunting, and that meant LOTS of arrows. You’ll learn that there are several ways to make an arrow that will shoot straight, and you will make at least two.
Again, bring whatever tools you might have.
Cost is $65, with a senior and student rate of $45.
Be sure to RSVP. LOCATION 2. Hahamongna Watershed Park, on Pasadena’s west side, bordering with La Canada. Enter the park from Oak Grove and Foothill, and drive into the park, staying on the upper road (do NOT make that left turn and drive downhill), until you see the outdoor bathroom. Park there.

Copies of books by Nyerges and Paul Campbell will be available.

WILD FOOD COOKING and SURVIVAL discussion
2026-07-11 10:00 - 14:00
Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m.
WILD FOOD COOKING and discussion.

On our walk, we will learn to recognize wild foods of the area, and we will collect samples for our meal. Previously collected foods will be brought also for you to prepare into our meal.

Besides our short walk, you will then make a fire, and prepare a salad, soup, a mixed dish, pancakes, and a few other dishes, depending on what we find. Then we can sit around the table and talk, ask questions, consider the future. We’d love to have you join at this end-time of the year.

Bring your bowl! And bring water for the walk.
Location sent out to registrants.
$65 ($45 for students and seniors)

TRADITIONAL GOURD WORKSHOP
2026-07-18 10:00 - 13:30
GOURD WORKSHOP — Learn to make a bowl, cup, or spoon!
July 18, 10 a.m.

[NOTE: Besides each of you working on a gourd, we will also share some lessons in making triggers for traps, such as with the quail trap, and you will get to try some wild food at this class]

You will learn how to clean and process a traditional gourd grown for utilitarian purposes. These are the hard shelled gourds that probably originated in Africa, and were common all across the American Southwest.
Your job will be to clean, and learn how to cut and then clean the gourd. The seeds you can take home to grow.
There are artists who make some equisite items from these gourds, and you might be one of them. However, we will focus on the fundamentals, and just a few hints about the artistic embellishments.
If time, we will have a short plant walk and possibly prepare something you can eat in your gourd.
We will supply all the tools needed, but if you have your own knife, hack saw, files, etc., please bring them.
Bring water to drink and a snack if required.

In addition to the comradie that comes with such activities, you will be able to obtain books, knives, and other survival gear for sale.
$65 ($45 for students/seniors)

LUNCHTIME CLAY WORKSHOP
2026-10-01 12:00 - 14:00
October 1, Noon
At this class, you will see natural clay dug from the local hills.
You will learn the ways to process clay, and we will be doing one of those methods.

You will process clay, and attempt to make a useful item from the clay.
We won’t do any firing.

A great opportunity to get outdoors and learn another survival skills

WILD FOOD OUTING, with cooking
2026-10-10 22:00
Saturday, October 10, 10 a.m.
WILD FOOD OUTING
Toyon berries

Folks, this will be an excellent way to see what’s in season and to try some of the wild edibles. We will go on a short walk to explore an area and learn about the wild plants, and their edible and medicinal uses.
We will study the diverse flora and we’ll have an opportunity to make a fire and do some light cooking.

Students examining fresh chicken-of-the-woods
Come and enjoy your time outdoors learning about plant and how they can be used for teas, salads, soups, and medicines. Also you’ll learn about those plants used for fire in a traditional manner.

Hahamongna Watershed Park; exact meeting spot given upon registration.

Bring water, a bowl, and knife. Bring your snacks if necessary.

TRADITIONAL CONTAINER WORKSHOP: MAKE A BURN-BOWL
2026-10-17 10:00 - 14:00
Saturday, October 17, 10 a.m.
CONTAINER WORKSHOP: LEARN TO MAKE AN EXPEDIENT BURN BOWL
Julia Han shows a burn bowl made by Christopher from a burl

As part of our Container series, we have taught how to make clay bowls (from local clays), how to make baskets, how to process gourds, how to make yucca and agave quivers, how to make soap stone bowls (yes, a slow process!), and this time, how to make a burn-bowl. A burn bowl is a piece of a log that we slowly burn out with coals, and then scrape it out to create a useful bowl. You will learn by doing.
We begin with a dry log, and cut select pieces. Then we split them, and you will slowly burn them out to create a functional bowl. In fact, there are many items that can be made by this process.
We will create coals in our fire, which you will then carefully put onto your wood. You let it burn a bit, and then you scrape. You create a little hole, and then you add another coal, and repeat, and repeat. Bring a spoon for scraping. Bring eye protection too.
Sometimes this goes quickly, and sometimes not, so bring your water and a snack.
Probably Hahamongna, but we will send location to registrants.
Limited participation.
$65 ($45 seniors/students)
