School of Self-Reliance

MIDDAY FIRE WORKSHOP -- hands-on
2026-05-28 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, May 28, Noon.
LUNCHTIME FIRE WORKSHOP

SURVIVAL, BUSHCRAFT, SELF-RELIANCE!
Primitive skills are very popular, and the ability to make fire without matches is at the top of the list.
We will practice a few of the primitive methods of fire-starting methods, and you will learn some of the secrets that come from years of experience.
You will get to practice the bow drill, the hand drill, flint and steel, and the fire piston.

We will also go for a short walk (if time) so you can see the types of woods that are best for making fire, and the tinders that are best for getting your fire to light.
And enjoyable gathering. Bring a bowl and water.
And yes, you will learn about a few wild plants at this class as well.

Location sent when you register — most likely Hahamongna.

BASIC NATURAL NAVIGATION, AND ORIENTATION
2026-06-13 10:00 - 14:00 UTC
NATURAL NAVIGATION AND ORIENTATION
Saturday, June 13, 10 a.m.

What are some of the tried-and-proven methods for navigation that people have used for centuries?
We’ll begin with observations of the terrain — shadows, looking at trees, moisture, feeling rocks, insect signs, etc.
We’ll learn how to use the stars, the sun, the moon, for navigation, including how to read the natural terrain. These are skills that our grandparents took for granted, but as we rely more and more on technologies, we have forgotten these very basic skills.
Yes, you’ll also learn the basics of how to read a map, how to use a compass, how to align the map with a compass, and ways to navigate the terrain with these tools.
We’ll do exercises to test your new skills. Bring a notebook.

Location sent with registration
$65 (Students and seniors, $45)
This class can be applied towards Bushcraft Certificate

LUNCHTIME TRAPS,TRIGGERS, PRIMITIVE WEAPONRY WORKSHOP
2026-06-25 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Learn to make traps, triggers, snares, deadfalls — learn by doing!
Thursday, June 25, noon
Note: We do not go out and try to kill or trap animals when we do this class.
We recognize that hunting and fishing are long-established methods of putting food on the table, especially during times of hardship and emergency. Though I have never really been what you’d call a “hunter,” I always wanted to know how to capture and clean animals for food, if I had to. I learned originally how to clean animals by using roadkill, and fish that I caught. Later, I learned how to make and use primitive traps from various sources, such as Paul Campbell and Larry Dean Olsen. So if you’re like me, and just want to know how to make these devices “just in case,” please come to the class.
We’ll meet in the Arroyo Seco to learn which woods are best for traps and triggers. Then’ we’ll work on carving a deadfall trigger, a trigger for a quail trap, and more.

You’re learn by doing. Bring your knife! (We have extras if you don’t have one)

We’ll see edible and medicinal plants. Bring your canteen.

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 (America/Los_Angeles)
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 (America/Los_Angeles)
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)

WILD FOOD OUTING, with cooking
2026-10-10 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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 (America/Los_Angeles)
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)

THANKSGIVING SEASON -- WILD FOOD COOKING WORKSHOP -- INCLUDING ACORN PROCESSING
2026-11-21 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, November 21, 10 a.m.
WILD FOOD COOKING WORKSHOP
Join us as we do a short walk to forage wild foods that are in season, and learn how to recognize what is available now.
We’ll then gather and prepare the various wild foods, along with some that we have brought, including ACORNS. You will work together to create a salad, a soup, an egg dish, acorn pancakes, tea, and some sort of desert items. We’ll have mushrooms if we find any.
Learn how to eat the older nopales
It’s worth noting that when the first peoples of Hahamongna lived here, they relied on the plant and animal life for their sustenance. You will just be getting a small taste of what that would have been like. And it is worth noting that the majority of the wild foods that are available today are mostly European invasive plants, plants that the first peoples would not have had.

Bring your notebook and camera, and bring your water and bowl. This is not a spectator sport, so be prepared to process greens, make the fire, and cook.
$65 ($45 for seniors and students)
