School of Self-Reliance

THE ART OF LOCK-SMITHING
2023-03-18 10:00 - 13:30 UTC
Saturday, March 18, 10 a.m.

Class size limited due to need for personal instruction. $5 of class fee is the cost of the tools you take home. (Additional tools available to purchase)
In this introduction to the art of lock-smithing, you will learn how a pin tumbler lock works (the most common lock on doors).
A pin tumbler lock is the most common lock found on homes. Understanding the inner-workings of a pin-tumbler lock, including how to re-key your lock and how to pick your lock are valuable pieces of knowledge while working toward self-reliance.
Our class will take you through the details of the pin tumbler lock and you will learn how pin tumbler locks are picked open. You will work through the process using locks that are super easy to pick through locks that are very difficult to pick. By class end you will understand exactly how this process works and you will find success opening several locks without keys, using only bypass tools.

You will work through various steps of difficulty from a single pin (to get the feel) to a 5 pin lock with a difficult pinning order.
We’ll look at high-security locks, pick guns, plug spinners, and other basic locksmith tools.
You will also learn how to proceed to more advanced studies in the field of lock-smithing.

Location sent out with registration.
$65.

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.

WILD FOOD WALKABOUT
2024-05-04 10:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, May 1, 10 a.m.

WILD FOOD WALKABOUT
In this class, we’ll walk about the watershed area in search of the seasonal plants. After our rains, we’ll see lots of the greens that develop in winter and spring in California. Who knows? We might even see mushrooms, though mushrooms are very unpredictable.
We’ll discuss edible, medicinal, and useful plants we find, and collect greens for soup.
Where it’s safe to do so, you’ll also learn to make fire without matches, and then we’ll make and cook soup!
Dress comfortably. Bring your bowl, and your water canteen for our walk. If you have an ethno-botany notebook for plant samples, bring it along so you can continue to keep records of your findings.
We’ll meet in the Arroyo Seco, with the exact spot sent out after you register.
$65 (senior/student $45)

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.

URBAN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE -- TO BE RESCHEDULED...
2025-05-04 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Urban Disaster Preparedness and Response
POSTPONED — TO BE HELD AT A FUTURE DATE
$50, ($35 students and seniors )

This workshop seminar will be conducted by Nathan Machain.

We will cover the following topics:

How to keep your plans on P.A.C.E.

When should you shelter in place?

When is it time to evacuate?

How to stay in touch with your loved ones during a crisis

Realistic Bug Out locations

Urban navigation

Hidden resources

Preparation for fort home

Preparation for your vehicle for evacuation, and as an alternate bug out location

How to put together a Bug Out bag that fits your specific needs and environment

If you already have a Bug Out bag, please bring it with you to class

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).

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.

WILD FOOD COOKING -- edible wild plants of Southern California
2025-07-26 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
WILD FOOD COOKING WORKSHOP
Learn Edible Wild Plants of Southern California
Saturday, July 26, 10 a.m.
$65 ($45 for students and seniors)
We’re going to explore a local area, and do our best to create a local meal provided by nature.

We’ll create a meal with a salad, soup, vegetable dish, egg dish, pancakes, and a drink, from plants that we collect today and from plants that were previously collected. Our walk will not be long — it will be somewhat leisurely. We will collect along the way, learning how to identify food plants, as well as other non-food plants that we encounter.
Foraging has gotten popular — learn how to ethically forage, and how to properly identify wild plants. A great survival skill!

We never know exactly what we’ll find, but we are likely to have wild greens for salad and soup, buckwheat for pancakes, herbs for tea, cactus for an omelette, and possibly some wild fruits for a dessert item. But we don’t really know until after we do our walk about.
THIS COUNTS TOWARDS THE ETHNO-BOTANY CERTIFICATE.

Location sent out when you register.
$65 (senior/student $45)

THE ART OF MANAGING RELATIONSHIPS -- a series
2025-09-27 17:00 - 19:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
THE ART OF MANAGING RELATIONSHIPS
This “class” is primarily focused on waking participants to the purpose for and means to see “relationships” in their higher perspective of the overall Purpose for embodiment in a human body. “Class” is in quotes because the term “class” is used as a communication convenience. That is because this “class” will serve as a Guidant on the path of Seeking why and how to have and manage relationships. This “class” will require at least 3 committed class members to attend at the frequency or one “class: per month attendance.
Central to our focus in this “class” is gender and all its ramifications. This “class” will focus on human relationships and will include significant others, marriage partners, progeny, siblings, relatives, acquaintances, co-workers, et al. The goal is to find the universal Principles in all relationships, and to discover their overall Purpose, as well scientific ways to manage those relationships.
The class coordinator, Prudence Boczarski-Chukwudi, is uniquely qualified to lead the participants to their collective AHAs! because of her over 40 years of study in all aspects of the topic. Prudence, in addition, was close assistant to the original author of this class, Richard E. White (aka, REVVE or Key Q. Ell), and was mentored to explore and live the Principles taught in the class. Prudence’s experimentation has led to her own insights regarding relationships that will be helpful to those in need of some guidance in this, sometimes treacherous, endeavor called “forming and keeping relationships.”
A Zoom link is available to those who wish to join electronically. After paying the class fee of $51 per class and $500 for the 10-class series, by sending your check or cash to WTI at 5835 Burwood Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90042, send your email address for a link to the Zoom class.
Regular fee is $51/class. $68./couple; $34./ students & elderly
Please join us in taking a deep look into relationships and what makes them work.

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

FALL GARDENING WORKSHOP. CANCELLED Led by Urban Gardener Julie Balaa!
2025-10-18 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
CLASS CANCELLED. WATCH THE SCHEDULE FOR THE NEW DATE….

— Saturday, October 18, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., $34.
Julie discussing and selling nopales at the farmers market
Cactus pad and sprawling purslane

Getting Started with Fall Gardening
Saturday, October 18, 3 p.m.
Our focus today is how to get started on Fall Gardening.
You will learn about seed selection, timing of plantings, how to actually go about the plantings, mulching, tree planting and more.
This is both lecture and hands-on, and you’ll get to ask all the questions you may have.
Note: This is part of a series of 3 classes on Fall Gardening. September 20, October 18, and November 15. You can attend one or all.
Location: 5835 Burwood Ave., Highland Park, CA., 90042. Julie’s greenhouse is at this location as well, and plants are available for purchase.
$34./person. Prepay with Zelle using Julie’s phone number. For information call/email Julie at: 323-255-4028 or email at juliebalaa@gmail.com

Note: Julie’s new book, “Low Cost Emergency Preparedness: A DIY Guide to Family Disaster Preparedness,” will also be available for sale, for $17.

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.

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

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!

WILDERNESS SURVIVAL FOUNDATION COURSE
2026-02-21 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, February 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wilderness survival: “Foundation Course” — Led by Keith Farrar, James Ruther, and assorted ad hoc, adjunct assistants.

Wilderness Survival Foundation Course:

Not all who wander are lost, however, some are, which is why learning Wilderness Survival is critical.

In this Wilderness Survival Foundation Course, we address the priorities in a wilderness survival situation.
Learning what priority to address first and how to address each priority is the best way to understand what to do if you have to spend an unplanned night or two in the wilderness.

Each topic is addressed in such a way that you will have a thorough understanding along with hands-on experience with that skill. While each topic, on its own, can be a full multi-day class, you will be comfortable enough with what you learn at this foundation class –or curious enough — to go further in your learning experience.

James Ruther demonstrating how to make a survival net

Due to personalized instruction, class size is limited.

What to bring:
Please bring a camp chair, lunch (there is no time to leave for lunch), water, appropriate clothing for the weather a compass (if you have one) and any personal wilderness survival items you might like to discuss.

We start the class at 10:00 (please arrive a bit early) and we finish around 3:00. There will be a very short lunch break somewhere along the program.

There are several hands-on portions, including but not limited to:

Emergency Shelter Set-Up’s
Critical outdoor knots to facilitate emergency shelters
Fire making (modern & primitive)
Basic Compass use
Emergency Navigation
Signaling for rescue
Water Purification
Deadfall Traps

What is different about this class? So may survival instructors give a list of gear to carry….we teach what needs to be done, and from that information, you decide what gear to carry based on what you are comfortable using to facilitate each priority in a survival situation.

Keith has taught this program for over 15 years and feels your confidence in what to do in a wilderness survival situation will significantly increase with the knowledge gained in this class.

Learning about emergency shelters
$75. [$55 for seniors/ students]
Location sent out upon registration.
Keith Farrar demonstrates how to turn a tarp into an emergency shelter

URBAN PREPAREDNESS -- in view of the many recent Disasters
2026-05-02 10:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Urban Survival Guide, by Nyerges
Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m.
Urban Preparedness can mean a life of self-reliance! But it also means you’re a bit more prepared for disasters such as an earthquake, or a flood, or a fire.
We will cover some of the basic elements that you should know in order to take care of yourself at home. This class is all about urban preparedness.
We’ll cover issues about WATER and how to store water in Los Angeles County. What FOODS should you store, and grow. We will also show (and cook) some wild foods. We will share how to COOK in your backyard if you can’t use your indoor stove. We will address first aid only minimally — we suggest you take a Red Cross course. We will share TOILET alternative that is relatively easy. We will also show some of the alternate devices to ELECTRICAL devices. And we’ll talk about the notion of a “bug out bag,” and some common sense, such as the benefits of joining Neighborhood Watch, or starting one, if one is not active in your neighborhood.
This class will include a short PLANT WALK to learn about edible and medicinal wild plants.
Location sent with registration
Books and products will be available for sale
