School of Self-Reliance

TRADITIONAL ARROW-MAKING WORKSHOP, LUNCHTIME
2023-12-21 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
LUNCHTIME ARROW WORKSHOP
Thursday, September 14, Noon
You will learn at least two common methods that arrows were made in the past. This is a great bushcraft skill, and a great survival skill, with many applications.
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.
Location sent upon registration.
$45 ($30 senior/student)

free WILDERNESS SURVIVAL workshop with KEITH FARRAR
2024-01-31 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Wednesday, January 31, 6:30 p.m.
If you live close to the La Mesa/San Diego area, there will be a free 2-hour Wilderness Survival Seminar given by Keith Farrar (instructor at Wilderness Skills School and The School of Self-Reliance).
This program is FREE of charge, sponsored by Adventure-16 and held at Helix Brewing Company: 8101 Commercial St La Mesa, CA 91942.6:PM Social Gathering – Program runs 6:30PM to 8:30PM.
Feel free to read a bunch of stuff below if you desire:
WILDERNESS SURVIVAL is a mixture of ATTITUDE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and PROPER EQUIPMENT. Each component compliments the other. The knowledge component is understanding survival priorities and how to address each priority with the proper skills and equipment. Our program will teach you how to handle each priority, which will greatly boost your attitude when dealing with an actual survival situation. With this information you will learn how to put together a complete survival kit with components that you will understand how to use and that are easily acquired.
This program is for the hiker, mountain biker, backpacker, naturalist, or anyone that enjoys spending time in the outdoors. While we teach a mixture of modern and primitive skills, you will not be required to rub sticks together to make fire or build a leaf shelter, unless you want to. We approach these aspects with modern alternatives, making this program appropriate for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts.
Keith Farrar has been involved with outdoor skills, primitive skills and wilderness survival for over 20 years, teaching the same for the last 10 years. He has been a State Park and National Park Service volunteer for the last 10 years, taking kids and adults on nature walks, as well as teaching First Aid, CPR and Stop the Bleed classes to park volunteers.Keith teaches for The School of Self Reliance , which has run for over 50 years and led by renowned author, ethnobotanist and survival skills instructor, Christopher Nyerges.

EAT TO YOUR HEALTH: A Wild Food Foraging Walk
2024-07-13 10:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, July 13, 10 a.m.
EAT TO YOUR HEALTH: Wild plant FORAGING
Your food should be your medicine! We will walk in a local area and learn which (wild) foods can be great food, and great medicine! You’ll learn about some of the nutritional values of the plants we see, and we’ll compare them with the common vegetables you buy in the store. The walk will be casual, along a riparian area with mixed native California plants and introduced exotic plants.
We will see a variety of the plants currently in season. Remember, we will see WILD FOODS and WILD MEDICINES, and these will be plants that might be growing in your backyard.
We will see both natives and non-native plants on this walk. You will learn how to use the plants for simple medical applications, and how to make simple salads and soups. Most of the plants we will see are widespread.

Location sent with registration.
Dress appropriately for the weather, and carry water. Bring a bowl for soup and salad!
$65 (seniors/students $45)

BUSHCRAFT: MAKING A PACK WITH JAMES RUTHER
2024-09-28 10:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, September 28, 10 a.m.
BUSHCRAFT with James Ruther, Master Carver of Spoons and other mundane artifacts

THE BAG OF HOLDING

Man has been trying to figure out how to carry more stuff around since the dawn of time. In this class, we’ll go back to the roots of the most basic types of packs and we will emphasize the do-it-yourself pack.

We’ll begin with the trousers pack (from Ruther’s favorite book “How to Survive Anywhere “), and then the hobo bag, and the basic Indian net pack. You’ll see how each of these is made.

Then, you will have a look at the Otzi pack. Otzi, or Iceman, was the man who had been buried for 5000 years in the Austrian Alps, and his bronze age gear has been studied extensively. You’ll see what Otzi carried, and how he made it. And today, in addition to teacher James Ruther, there will be a guest joining — the famous wilderness expert Nathan Machain who will also be showing his Otzi pack.

You will also learn about the Roycraft pack, and get a history of backpacks.

Each participant will be guided to make an historical bag to take one home — either the Roycroft pack or the net bag.

A true Bushcraft class, with skills that have stood the test of time.
Class will be approximately 3 hours, led by School of Self- Reliance staff member James Ruther, L.M.

This is an excellent introduction to a number of basic BUSHCRAFT skills! Learn from a real authority.
LOCATION sent with registration.
$65 ($45 for seniors and students)

SURVIVAL SKILLS, URBAN FOCUS, 5 weeks, on-line.
2024-10-25 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Friday, October 25, 7 to 9 p.m., SURVIVAL SKILLS class, URBAN Focus, five weeks. On-line
Pasadena City College Extension. Call (626) 585-7608 for information and registration. Cost to college is $75.
Class topics include uses of wild plants for food and medicine, storing food and water, sources of water you hadn’t thought about, finding and purifying water, what to do when the power goes out, alternatives to the flush toilet, emergency shelters, tools, first aid, contents of a “survival pack,” and more. THE BEST BARGAIN IN TOWN!

We cover all the basics, and answer the many questions you may have.

Taught by Christopher Nyerges.

Bushcraft Skills: Fishing-related: Make a Fish Spear, net, etc. -- plus discussions of knives and tools -a Hands-on Workshop
2025-03-01 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, March 1, 10 a.m.
BUSHCRAFT SKILLS: Making a simple FISH SPEAR, NET, and other Traps. PLUS discussion of survival knives and assorted tools.
. And a few other skills if time.
These are very basic bushcraft skills for taking fish to survive.
Bring your knife, since we’ll make a simple spear and learn its many variations. Also, how to make line and fish hooks.

Also we’ll make a basic net, and you’ll learn all aspects of this style of net-making, with its many applications.
Even if you never go fishing, these skills have multiple applications.

Hahamongna Watershed Park, Location 2 But please RSVP for exact location…

SURVIVAL SKILLS Class, ON-LINE
2025-03-07 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Friday, March 7, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., SURVIVAL SKILLS Class, Five Weeks, $75
One of the best deals in town!
on-line class
FIVE CONSECUTIVE FRIDAYS

Sponsored by Pasadena City College. Call (626) 585-7608 for information and registration. Cost to college is $75.
This course consists of five two-hour classes, on five consecutive Friday nights.
The Class topics include the following:
Wild Plants for food, medicine, and other uses, focusing on plants that are currently in season.
Everything we need to know about Water: How to find it, how to purify it, how to store water — and more.
How to make fire with both primitive and modern methods. You’ll learn the 4 Principles by which fire is made.
How to make and use a shelter when you get stuck in the outdoors. Simple lean-tos to more complicated shelters will be shown.
Tools and supplies will be discussed — you know, all the stuff you buy for your pack.
Other topics include natural navigation, finding fibre from natural sources and making cordage, dealing with no electricity or no toilet, and more.
The conversation and questions from students makes this lively and engaging. Taught by Christopher Nyerges.

INTRODUCTION TO BIRD-WATCHING AND BIRD LANGUAGE
2025-04-10 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join us for this special birding walk where you are introduced to the art of bird identification, and bird language.
Our teacher is Kayla Michael, from Wyoming, who is only here for a short while. Besides being a bird expert, Kayla bicycles wherever she can — she’s bicycled thousands of miles, and often spends time in remote wilderness areas. You’ll get to talk to her about her unique history as well

Bring binoculars if you have them!
Thursday, April 10, from Noon to 2.

$30.

SURVIVAL SKILLS INTENSIVE
2025-04-12 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m. SURVIVAL SKILLS INTENSIVE
In this program, we will cover how to make fire with primitive methods without matches, as well as some modern methods.
We’ll learn how to build an emergency shelter, how to create soap from plants, and how to make cordage. All hands-on!
We will learn to find water and ways to purify water, identifying and using wild foods, and more.
Total walking about 1 and a half mile.

Dress comfortably and bring a notebook.
Pricing: $65. (Seniors/students $45)

A great day to get into the mountains with like-minded people.
This can be used as part of our “Weekend Warrior” Certification series.
Bring a bowl, knife, and water. Dress comfortably. Bring snacks if you need some. Bring your special tools if you want to share as part of a show and tell.

Books and products are available at all classes.

URBAN SURVIVAL SERIES -- FOOD and WATER STORAGE -- IN THE CITY
2025-05-29 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
FOOD IN THE CITY. FOOD AND WATER STORAGE
Thursday, May 29, Noon

We will start with basic home food storage. What should YOU store? How long do these foods last? Can you dry some of your own foods?

We will also talk about the abundant food in the cities, if you know where to look: We will explore the trees on city streets, weeds, neighborhood gardens, and trading.

What grows good in your yard? Are there food items from your trees and bushes? Do you have edible weeds? Do you grow prickly pear cactus?
Learn how to eat the older nopales

We will cover the basics of securing a water supply, including local streams, and even rain and solar stills, as above. We will address various methods of water purification, such as SODIS. And we will share the many ways you can store water in your own home.
Traditional food storage involves drying, canning, picking, and freeze-dried. We’ll discuss each of these. In an emergency, you’ll want food not dependent on electricity for storage.

Learn some of the basics of food storage, and how to create your own food storage system. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket!

$45 ($30 student/senior).

FORAGING WALKABOUT: WILD FOOD & USEFUL PLANTS, with Focus on FIRE and WEAVING plants
2025-05-31 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
FORAGING USEFUL WILD PLANTS — for FIRE, WEAVING, and EDIBLE, MEDICINAL, UTILITARIAN —
May 31, 10 a.m.
We will explore a watershed area, seeing native and introduced plants.
Our focus today will be to learn about those plants that are used for making FIRE and those which are used for WEAVING. You will also learn about various edible plants, and medicinal plants. And while we might collect some greens used to make soup, we want you to see the plants that will be used to make primitive fire. And if you’re interested in basketry, you will see the traditional plants used for cordage and weaving.
Actual networking!

On our walk, you will learn how to identify these plants, and learn how to properly harvest.
Join us for an insightful walk into a wild area, and learn about useful plants.
Back at the tables, we will show how to make the parts of a fire kit, and you will get a chance to try it yourself. And we will also demonstrate simple basketry techniques as well.

Dress comfortably and bring water. Bring a bowl for eating. The trail will be more or less flat.
Location sent after registration.
$65 [seniors/students $45).

ANIMAL TRACKING with Rob Remedi
2025-06-14 10:00 - 14:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Learn How to BE A TRACKER!
ANIMAL TRACKING with Rob Remedi
Saturday, June 14, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Rob Remedi

LET’S GO ANIMAL TRACKING

ANIMAL TRACKING

Whether you’re new to animal tracking or already have some experience, this class will provide you with ample knowledge and a solid foundational skillset on the art and science of tracking. The outing covers actual field observation and practice in Clear Print Identification, Wildlife Sign and Interpretation (including track aging), Gaits and Patterns, and concepts in Behavior and Sign on the Landscape.

The outing location offers great possibility especially of finding track and sign of a wide scope of animals such as mountain lion, coyote, fox, deer, raccoon, skunk, rabbit, squirrel, turtle, frog, owl, hawk, and many others! The experience is guaranteed to have you looking at the ground and landscape in a completely different way.

Rob is one of the best trackers we’ve ever met — and time spent with Rob is time well spent on your tracker education.

Note: We’ll take an easy-rated slow-going walk, 1.0 mile, mostly on-trail yet a bit off trail exploration in a dry streambed.

RSVP
Arroyo Seco (exact directions sent with registration)

$65 ($45 senior/student)

Join us to learn to read the ground for an accurate account of the animals who call home in our local mountains and parks.

This class is led by instructor Robert Remedi, a locally certified tracker with over 30 years’ experience, one of the most knowledgeable trackers and wilderness teachers in the U.S. today.

Bring: Proper clothing for weather, water, snacks, lunch, notebook/pen, hat, sunscreen, bandana, bowl, utensils.

MAKE A GOURD, MAKE A SPOON!
2025-06-28 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
MAKE A GOURD! MAKE A SPOON!
Saturday, June 28, 10 am.
We’re going to practice traditional bushcraft skills. You will learn to clean and carve a gourd. We’ll wash and clean it, and cut it to create a bowl. You’ll learn by doing all the steps to have a functional bowl.

Then under the guidance of Spooncarver James Ruther, you will learn the details of making a useful spoon. You will cut the wood and learn the steps that it takes to reduce the wood to a functional and beautiful spoon.

Great skill for children and adults. Bring your knives if you have any. If not, we will have extras for you to use.

$65 ($45 for students and seniors)
This class qualifies if you’re working for the Bushcraft certificate
Books and knives will be available for sale.

GOURD WORKSHOP, mid-day
2025-07-10 12:00 - 13:30 UTC
mid-day GOURD WORKSHOP
Thursday, July 10, noon.

Here’s another ancient skill that you’ll enjoy learning. Each person will work on turning an ornamental gourd into a bowl for eating, or perhaps a canteen, ladle, or plate.
There are several skill sets involved, and we’ll talk you through them so you’ll understand the mechanics of making a gourd that you’ll be happy to use.

We’ll bring tools, but if you have a good knife, hacksaw, fine files, bring them! Not a highly-complicated craft, but requires patience. You will select a gourd that we bring, and clean it, decide where to cut it — no two gourds are alike — and then clean the inside and smooth the sharp edges. You’ll end up with a new skill and a bowl or dish that you can use right away.
You’ll also get to take seeds home so you can grow your own if you have the space.

$45. [$30 for seniors/students] RSVP for this one so we bring enough gourds! Location given after you register.

LUNCHTIME EXPLORATORY NATURE WALK
2025-07-17 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, July 17, noon
EXPLORATORY NATURE WALK
We’ll explore the perimeter of this section of the Arroyo Seco and find some of the in-season wild edibles, and medicinal plants, and we’ll view the overall basin.
Along this footpath, we will find foods, medicines, and several plants used for weaving and basketry. We’ll learn about the woods that were used for shelter, and fire, and discuss how some of the rocks were used in the past. We’ll also see many of the “invasive” non-native edibles.
Carry a water bottle.
RSVP for exact directions to location.

PRIMITIVE TECHNOLOGY: FIRE WORKSHOP
2025-09-06 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
PRIMITIVE TECHNOLOGY: FIRE WORKSHOP
Saturday, September 6, 10 a.m.
We will take a walk and you will see the woods that are used to make the most basic methods of fire-production: The bow and drill, and the hand drill. You will also see the plow, and flint and steel. You will learn by doing. You will work to make an ember, and you will learn which woods are best, and how to process your woods. A short walk included to see which plants are best for your fire-making kit. This is a timeless bushcraft skill.

We expect that each person will be able to collect and process most of your kit during this class. You will learn this fundamental bushcraft skill by doing! An excellent overall survival skill, since fire is at the very heart of survival: signalling, purifying water, cooking, etc.
BONUS: We will share some of the modern “match-less” methods of fire making as well, and we will show you useful wild plants. These are timeless survival skills.
Location 2, Hahamongna.

HEALING with NATIVE PLANTS with ENRIQUE VILLASENOR
2025-09-20 10:00 - 14:00 UTC
Saturday, September 20, 10 a.m.
HEALING WITH NATIVE PLANTS WITH ENRIQUE VILLASENOR
ETHNO-BOTANY SERIES: – part of our certification program.

This is a rare opportunity to learn in the field with Enrique Villaseñor, associate of Dr. James Adams, and co-author of “Healing with Medicinal Plants of the West.”
In this Session, we focus upon MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Enrique Villaseñor, a co-author of the book “Healing with Medicinal Plants of the West”, will conduct today’s class on traditional medicinal plants. This class, as part of our Ethno-botanical series, will include a walk, and a workshop where students will learn how to make the healing medicines. Villaseñor will discuss the appropriate medicinal uses of elder, white sage, black sage, California sagebrush, mugwort, prickly pear cactus, and other plants that may be present on the trail. Students will learn specific recipes for making foot soaks, liniment, and other herbal medicines.

Enrique Villaseñor is a multi-ethnic Healer, naturalist, cyclist and author with indigenous ancestry. Enrique learned traditional healing from his mother and Dr. James Adams, Professor Emeritus from USC. As part of this process, Enrique has researched and taught traditional healing, participated in field studies, has co-authored several papers with Dr. James Adams, and is a co-author of the fourth edition of Healing with Medicinal Plants of the West.
In his 35 years as a teacher, he taught elementary, middle, and adult school, he was was an Instructional Advisor, where he focused on training teachers. Among his many other achievements, working with several agencies, he designed, built, and maintained the award-winning El Oro Way Habitat, a two-acre, outdoor classroom with primarily California native plants and trees.
NOTE: It is suggested that you bring a folding chair.
We’ll discuss some of the ideal literature about healing with herbs, and some of the herbs you can grow in your own yard.
Books will be available, as well as pre-made herbal linaments.
If you have special requests, let us know ahead of time.

THIS IS A FIELD TRIP. Location given after registration.
Class fee $65. (Seniors/students $45)
Cover of the latest edition
Note: Private field trips are available on arrangement.

SEASONAL FORAGING: Autumn session. Wild Food and Useful Plants by the Season
2025-09-27 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, September 27, 10 a.m. WILD FOOD AND USEFUL PLANTS BY THE SEASON

This series of workshops, one per season, will show you nature through the seasons, from a forager’s perspective. The essence of this class is to develop seasonal knowledge and observational skills: How to look, where to look, what to look for. Plus, we will also focus on responsible and sustainable gathering methods, including collection of seeds and cuttings so you can grow plants in your own backyard.

palo verde seeds
Learn how to eat the older nopales

You’ll learn how to identify and collect foods, medicines, soaps, fire-materials, and other useful parts of plants. You’ll learn to think like foragers of the past, who had to have an intimate knowledge of the seasons, and foresight for the future. (For example, sometimes you do NO foraging in an area if the plant or seed is not abundant.)

Join us each quarter for an insightful walk into a wild area, with a focus on interpreting what’s available that season. Each session will include demonstrations, hands-on practice, and sampling of the seasonal foods. Each session includes a list of what is normally available in that season.

AUTUMN
In early autumn, it is usually dry, and plants are in a dormant phase. It’s typically hot, and dry. Streams will be dry, or running low. You’ll only find the hardiest of plants for eating, such as mustards. There still might be some manzanitas left to collect, and the acorns will just be starting to mature and to fall. Though it’s still early for toyon berries, you’ll be able to observe what sort of crop will be coming. You’ll be able to take note of what to look for in the next few months.
You never know what to expect, but you might find some greens as well, usually the hardiest greens, and the late-blooming greens. This is a good way to look at the environment at a lean time, with an eye to the future.
We’ll also share a few bushcrafting skills.

Location: San Gabriel Mountains. Meeting location to be sent upon registration.
Class fee:$65. (student/senior $45)
www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com

NOTE: We offer a program where you can work at our non-profit in Highland Park doing various tasks, and earn your way to classes. Contact us at christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com

FREE SURVIVAL SKILLS LECTURE - BURBANK CENTRAL LIBRARY
2025-10-03 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Christopher Nyerges will speak about outdoor survival skills at the Burbank Central Library, Friday, October 3, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Library is located at 110 N. Glenoaks in Burbank.
You will learn about plants, water, fire, tools, all with an application to urban survival scenario and the need to possibly evacuate.
A short video will be shared.
Books by Nyerges will be available for purchase.
Survival School! – Burbank Public Library

MID-DAY NATURAL NAVIGATION CLASS
2025-10-23 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
October 23, noon
Getting around accurately is a valuable survival skill! Sometimes you have a compass and map, and sometimes you don’t.
In this two-hour class, you’ll learn how to construct a sun compass, and how you can use that to tell direction and time. This sun compass is nearly as accurate as your magnetized compass, and the “clock” is more accurately telling you local solar time — good enough for general purposes.

You’ll also learn some natural methods of telling direction, which are ages-old observations. You’ll learn which are worth remembering, and which are “old husband’s tales.”

We’ll also address how to identify constellations for telling directions, and how to navigate with only a compass. So bring your compass.

What we cover in our short time will depend upon how much time everyone needs to grasp the concepts. Location 2, Hahamongna Watershed Park.

MIDDAY GOURD WORKSHOP -- a Bushcraft skill!
2025-11-20 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, November 20, Noon to 2P
LEARN THE ART OF CREATING A CUP, BOWL, PLATE, OR SCOOP FROM THE HARD-SHELLED ORNAMENTAL GOURD

In this mid-day class, you will take a dried gourd and learn all the steps to turning it into a beautiful and functional plate, or bowl, or canteen, or even a scoop.
We’ll bring the tools you need, but if you have saws, files or rasps, bring them.

It’s not that hard to make a good functional gourd. We used to each make one before a week at Dirttime, and then if we cut it just right, we’d have a dish, and a bowl. Bushcraft skills? Survival Skill? Whatever you call it, it’s a great skill, and a great opportunity to meet with like-minded people.
$45 ($30 students/seniors)
location: 5835 Burwood Ave., Highland Park, cA 90042 — we will meet at the top of the hill…

THANKSGIVING SEASON -- WILD FOOD COOKING WORKSHOP -- INCLUDING ACORN PROCESSING
2025-11-22 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, November 22, 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)

BASIC NATURAL NAVIGATION, AND ORIENTATION
2025-11-29 10:00 - 13:30 UTC
NATURAL NAVIGATION AND ORIENTATION
Saturday, November 29, 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.
Since this is a two-hour lunchtime class, we will cover the most basic skills.
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

FORAGING WALK -- WILD FOOD OUTING
2025-12-06 10:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, December 6 1, 10 a.m.
WILD FOOD FORAGING AND ETHNO-BOTANICAL WALK
Join us for our outing where we explore the edible, medicinal, and other useful qualities of many of the plants found in the environment with many introduced plants. Both natives and non-natives will be seen. This will be leisurely and you will get a chance to taste some of the plants.
We will introduce a few basics of systematic plant identification, and ways you can take your own records. We’ll also bring up another important point: Many of the wild plants that we see — and especially the non-natives — can be easily cultivated in your own yard for ease of harvesting. Also, we’ll tell you about some of the local native plant nurseries where you can obtain native plants — such as toyon, ceonothus, oak trees, mulefat, elder, etc — and grow them in your own yards, which is an ideal situation.
Wear comfortable footwear and bring water. Bring a bowl for eating.
This class can be credited towards the Ethno-botany certificate.
Directions sent upon registration.
$65 (Seniors and students $45).

WINTER GET-TOGETHER, 10 a.m. FREE
2025-12-13 10:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
DECEMBER 13, 10 A.M.
WINTER GET-TOGETHER/ TRADE-BLANKET, FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF SCHOOL OF SELF-RELIANCE.
NO FEE, NO NEED FOR A “TICKET” — JUST SHOW UP! (DIRECTIONS below)
Our annual gathering for Friends and Family of the School of Self-Reliance.

We will have a “trade blanket” where several people will be having books, gear, knives, etc. for trade or sale.
We will also discuss what makes a good “survival kit” — so bring your kit if you want it “analyzed.”

We will also have most of Christopher’s books available, as well as GIFT CERTIFICATES.
BRING A FOLDING CHAIR!

We’ll meet and share some survival stories, including what should always be in your “survival pack” in order to be prepared for the unexpected.

Do you want to bring products for sale or trade? Please let Christopher know.

It’s a good time to get to know each other better, and learn more skills in a relaxed setting. Location 2, Hahamongna Watershed Park. DIRECTIONS: The park is located on Pasadena’s west side, bordering La Canada. Check your Google Maps to find it, and you’ll likely be exiting the 210 freeway. The park entrance is Foothill and Oak Grove Drive. Enter the park, drive in, stay on the upper road until you see the outdoor bathroom, and park. We’ll be by the tables there.
There is no fee, but let us know you’re coming!

LUNCHTIME CANDLE MAKING WORKSHOP
2025-12-18 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, Noon, December 18, 2023
Candle-making is one of the pioneer arts that goes back in time. Not exactly Bushcraft, but a Pioneer Self-Reliance skill. It’s how people lit their homes in the days before electricity.

You will learn the 3 methods of making your own candles: rolling, dipping, and molds.
You will take at least a few candles home that you made.
Javier making candles by dipping
This is a great skill to teach children, and there is also the possibility of creating a product you can sell at craft faire, or barter with your neighbors.
Diann with a candle made with a mold
As a bonus, you will also learn how to make a very simple slush lamp, used for millenia to light the night.
Hahamongna Watershed Park.

WILD FOOD COOKING and SURVIVAL discussion
2025-12-27 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, December 27, 10 a.m.
WILD FOOD COOKING and discussion. Christmas is over, Hannukah is over, we’re in Kwanzaa, and maybe you just want to get into the outdoors, relax with some like-minded folks, and talk about relevant survival topics.

So, 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)

WATER SURVIVAL: Learn the Essential Water Skills for wilderness or city
2026-01-15 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
LUNCHTIME WATER SKILLS
Janurary 15, Noon

This will be an overview of WATER in the City and Wilderness. HOW to find water, how to purify it, how to store it.
Let’s learn and apply the skills that allow you to survive in the desert (and other) environments. Water, of course, is paramount. You’ll learn how to obtain water when none seems present, methods such as the well, solar still, transpiration bag, plants, etc.

Water is the most critical element of survival, and so you will learn the necessity of storing water, and how to store water.
How much water should you store? What sort of containers should you use?
How about rain water? Are any special precautions needed?
How about water purification? Learn different ways to purify water, under different circumstances. Learn how to make a make-shift water filter in an emergency.
An essential survival skill, in the wilderness or the city.
Depending on our time, we might learn to identify a few wild plants too.
You can apply this class towards our Certification program.
Location given after registration. Class fee $45. (Seniors/students $30)

Books and tools available for purchase at all classes…

PRIMITIVE to MODERN FIRE WORKSHOP
2026-01-31 10:00 - 14:00 UTC
HANDS-ON FIRE-MAKING WORKSHOP — January 31, 10 a.m.

Learn how to make fire by several primitive methods. You will learn the 4 Principles by which fire is generated: friction, the sun, chemicals, and electricity. You will practice several of these, and learn the best techniques for mastery.

You will use reflectors and magnifying glasses, batteries, flint and steel, the bow, the hand drill, the piston, magnesium and others.
You will learn by doing. You goal will be to create an ember, and “mother” it to a flame. You will learn which woods are best, and how to process your woods.
A short walk will be included to see which plants are best for your fire-making kit.

This class applies to our Bushcraft Certificate.
Location 2. Details sent with registration.
Copies of our books are available at all classes.

TOM BROWN III: Learn survival skills and outdoor awareness with the son of the famous Tracker...
2026-02-04 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
MEET TOM BROWN III AT THIS ON-LINE FREE CLASS.
FREE SESSION TO MEET TOM BROWN III. 7 P.M. pacific time.
This is a free introductory class. Additional classes are $100. each, or $300. for all 4 future Tom Brown III Classes (live or video replay).

Link for the free class: https://trackolytes.as.me/meet-T3

Link for the group of 4 classes for $300.00 (A $100.00 savings): https://trackolytes.as.me/Wisdom-of-Wilderness

Links for each separate class at $100.00 each
•Wilderness safety https://trackolytes.as.me/Wilderness-1
•Awareness: the most important skill in life https://trackolytes.as.me/Awareness1
•Edible plans and ethical foraging: https://trackolytes.as.me/edible-ethical
•Animal tracks and sign: https://trackolytes.as.me/Tracks-sign

INTRODUCING A SERIES OF 4 CLASSES

Tom Brown III, often known as T3, is a lifelong wilderness educator, nature photographer, and storyteller dedicated to carrying forward the ancestral skills and philosophies taught to him by his father, Tom Brown Jr. Tom or “T3” has been teaching for 26 years, And has a lifetime of practical experience in wilderness living, tracking, survival, and nature connection, And stewardship. Tom’s work focuses on helping people rediscover confidence, awareness, and a meaningful relationship with the natural world. His teaching blends practical skills, deep observation, and personal insight, making complex knowledge approachable and relevant for modern life.
During this collaboration with the School of Self-Reliance, Tom will be offering four foundational classes designed to build confidence, awareness, and self sufficiency in natural settings.
Wilderness Safety, Taking the Fear Out of Wild Places [on-line class on February 12]
This class focuses on mindset, preparation, and core survival priorities. Students will learn how to stay calm, make good decisions, and use a small set of essential items to dramatically increase their chances of success in emergency situations.
Awareness: The most important life skill. [on-line class on February 19]
Focused on moving quietly and efficiently through the landscape, this class explores posture, balance, awareness, and energy use. These skills improve tracking ability, personal safety, and overall connection to the environment.
Wild Edible Plants and Ethical Foraging [on-line class February 26]
This class teaches how to identify common wild edible plants while emphasizing safety, sustainability, and respect for the land. Students will learn how to forage responsibly and deepen their awareness of seasonal abundance.
Animal Tracks and Sign [on-line class March 5]
An introduction to reading the stories animals leave behind. Students will learn how to identify common tracks and signs, understand animal behavior, and sharpen observation skills that translate far beyond the trail.

Together, these classes offer a well rounded introduction to ancestral skills that foster self-reliance, awareness, and a deeper sense of belonging in the natural world.
We hope to see you at this FREE EVENT where T3 will delve a little bit deeper into the philosophy that drives him in his omnipresent quest to lead just one more person back to the Earth, so they can learn how to become human again.
Whether you are an absolute novice or seasoned outdoors person, I can guarantee you will learn many valuable techniques to apply every time we enter the wilderness!

https://trackolytes.as.me/meet-T3
