School of Self-Reliance

URBAN SURVIVAL SERIES: WATER FOR LIFE -- ON-LINE
2022-10-28 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Friday, October 28, 7 p.m.
WATER FOR LIFE: Finding it, Purifying it, Storing it
with a focus on the URBAN environment.
Everyone needs water, and no cities exist without a steady water supply. Where do we get our water, and how reliable is the supply?
We’ll explore survival sources of water in both the wilderness and the urban areas. Some will be surprising. We’ll look at the various ways to purify water – all four basic methods. And since you really should keep a supply of water in your home, we’ll share some of the simple ways to store water in your garage or closet.
There’s a lot to think about on this vital topic.
Join us for the class and the conversation that follows. www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com

(Qualifies towards our Weekend Warrior certificate)

Presented on Zoom
Link sent to registered students.
$20 ($15 seniors and students)

URBAN SURVIVAL SERIES -- ALTERNATIVES TO ELECTRICITY, and FIRE discussion -- ON-LINE
2022-11-11 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
ALTERNATIVES TO ELECTRICITY, with a discussion of FIRE-STARTING METHODS — ON-LINE
FRIDAY, November 11, 7 p.m.

Electricity is today a staple of modern life — and yet!! — most of us would be unable to function without it!
Let’s take a look at some of the simple alternatives to electricity, either because you want to live simply, or due to a blackout.
We’ll show the many refrigerator alternatives where food can be stored without electricity.
We’ll address the many manual tools that you can and should have.
We cover the many lighting alternatives, from past to present.
Of course, we know that solar power is a viable alternative too, and you’ll learn how to find out more if you want to get solar devices for your home’s lighting, or other electrical uses.

In addition, we’re going to talk about making fire, both in the wilderness and in the urban setting. Fire provides warmth, dries your clothes, cooks your food, purifies your water, etc. It is at the very foundation of human civilization.
Learn about the 4 Principles by which fire is made. We’ll cover all these methods, with many hints for your personal success.
ON-LINE
LINK IS SENT UPON REGISTRATION
$20 ($15 seniors and students).

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
2022-12-25 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
May you have a blessed day and season, whether you observe Christmas, Hannukah, Kwankaa, the Solstice, New Year, etc.

Have you wondered about the meaning of the diverse Christmas symbols? You might enjoy our booklet on the subject. Here is a link:

http://www.schoolofself-reliance.com/product-category/books/page/2/

WRITING FOR PUBLICATION, Pasadena City College
2023-01-18 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Wednesday, January 18, 7 to 9 p.m., WRITING FOR PUBLICATION, Pasadena City College. $65.
THREE CONSECUTIVE WEDNESDAY EVENINGS.
This is a 3-part workshop sponsored by Pasadena City College, taught by Christopher Nyerges. ON-LINE. YOU WILL GET A LINK AFTER YOU SIGN UP.
This is a workshop where you get assignments, or you develop your own projects, share in class, and discuss how to market your work.
Learn how to develop ideas for sale into various markets. Learn how to create a “pitch” to sell your book, and how to go about selling it. Learn how to publish it yourself. Some of you might simply want to create a book about your family for your own inner circle. Whatever your interest, the instructor will work with you to develop your interests and to get on the road to being published.
Oh! If you ‘re looking for a “magic formula” or some obscure “secret” to getting your work published and becoming a millionaire, you may or may not find that here. According to Nyerges,”There is no magic to getting your work published. But you do need to be a good writer with some original ideas, and you do need to do the hard work that will be required. IF you do that, the results will be fulfilling, for whatever goals you have.”
Bring your projects. Call PCC at (626) 585-7608 for information and registration.

BUSHCRAFT WORKSHOP -- TRAPS, TRIGGERS, DEADFALLS, NETS, CORDAGE ... and short plant walk
2023-01-28 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, January 28, 10 a.m.
BUSHCRAFT SKILLS: NETS, SPEARS, etc….
During this workshop, you will learn a series of classical bushcraft skills.
You will learn — by making — how to set a deadfall, make the triggers, and set up the quail trap.
You will also learn some basic cordage skills, like making cordage, making a usable net, making a brush, etc.

This class includes a short walk to learn about selecting the correct woods from the wild, and to identify some wild foods.
Bring your knife if you have one.

Location sent with registration. THIS CLASS APPLIES TO A BUSHCRAFT CERTIFICATE

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.

PRIVATE YOUTH TRAINING -- No Public Class today
2023-04-19 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
No public class today.
We’re doing a training program with a youth group about Water: How to find it in nature, how to purify water, how to store water.
See you next week

PRIVATE SCOUTING CLASS -- No Public Class today
2023-04-22 10:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
No public class today.
We’re doing a survival skills workshop with a group of Scouts. See you next week!

PRIVATE HOMESCHOOL CLASS -- No public class today
2023-04-26 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
No public class today.
Homeschool class will be learning bushcraft skills

wild MUSHROOM TALK -- FREE
2023-05-21 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
COME AND JOIN A FREE MUSHROOM TALK BY CHRISTOPHER NYERGES
May 21, 2 p.m. at Placerita Canyon Nature Center, 19152 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall.
www.placerita.org

PLANT DYEING AND ETHNO-BOTANY WORKSHOP with Amy Stewart
2023-06-11 10:00 - 14:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Sunday, June 11, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Plants have many uses, and this class focuses on their color-producing pigments. From the whole plant, flowers, tree bark, teas, and even fruits and vegetables, it’s amazing the variety of colors and shades nature provides for dyeing. For this class, two colors are explored, yellow and pink, made from our local area’s easy-to-find (and identify) plants (plus one common vegetable).
Ethno-botany and ethical harvesting practice is included.
We will first take a short, easy walk to identify plants and their uses, and particularly, which ones are color-producing. Upon return from our walk, you’ll learn the plant dyeing process, techniques, and how to prepare different materials/textiles (wool, cotton, silk) for dyeing, then make the dye bath to take home a dyed bandanna of your making!
This class is informative and hands-on, expressing nature’s colorful and useful bounty.
$40.00 per person (includes materials fee). Location given upon registration. (L.A. County location)
BE SURE TO SIGN UP EARLY IF INTERESTED — CLASS IS LIMITED TO 6 STUDENTS!
To sign up, contact Rob Remedi at 805 499-2924; robremedi@hotmail.com

PLANTS OF THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY
2023-12-15 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Friday, December 15, 7 p.m.
FREE
PLANT OF THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.
Did you ever wonder how certain plants like mistletoe, holly, poinsettia, and others, came to be iconic holiday decorations? Join us to explore the unique origins and stories, natural history, and some safety precautions for enjoying these plants in your home during the holidays.
A fascinating presentation!
Just let us know you want the link and we’ll send it to you a day before.
Presented on Zoom Christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com.

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.

MIDDAY FIBRE AND YUCCA WORKSHOP
2024-02-08 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, February 8, Noon.
midday FIBRE AND YUCCA WORKSHOP IN THE ARROYO
This is one of our Ethnobotany class series.
We’ll be in a section of the Arroyo Seco and learn about some the history and unique plant-life of the area.
We’ll see edible and medicinal plants on our short walk, and will learn some basics about making cordage, nets, and bags.
You will practice hands-on making cordage, nets, bags, brushes, etc. A very good introduction to this ancient art.

Bring your canteen.
Location — you’ll get details upon registration.
$45 ($30 senior and students).

WILD PLANTS & MUSHROOMS: Ethno-botanical Walk
2024-02-15 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, February 15, Noon.
ETHNO-BOTANICAL WALK focusing on Identifying wild EDIBLE and medicinal plants, and mushrooms
we may find.

We will do a short walkabout. We will also make a salad, so bring your bowl.
We’ll see edible, medicinal, and other useful plants found in the chaparral and riparian environment. Both natives and non-natives will be seen. This will be leisurely and you will hopefully get a chance to see and identify various mushrooms as well. The weather has been conducive to mycology!

Wear comfortable footwear.
This class can be credited towards the Ethno-botany certificate.
$45 (Seniors and students $30). Hahamongna area. Location given upon registration.

We’ll meet in the parking lot of the Casting Pools/ Archery Range in the Arroyo Seco, just north of California…

WILD FOOD FORAGING Class, with Fire workshop
2024-03-09 10:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, March 9, 10 a.m.
Join us as we explore the ethno-botanical treasures of this wild area. We will learn about the common in-season wild foods, and the many introduced wild foods (mostly from Europe), as well as the many native foods that have been used for millenia. And we’ll see how the rains have affected this area. We might see wild mushrooms.
We will also be examining the plants that would be useful for making fire without matches.

At the end of our walk, you’ll have a chance to practice a few ways of making fire without matches. You can never have enough practice with these skills. See if you can do it!

A wonderful way to spend a Saturday with like-minded folks. We will also make a wild salad from what we find in season, and we will probably cook up some wild soup too, so be sure to bring your bowl.

Hahamongna, exact location to be sent.
Bring a camera and notebook for your benefit. Carry water.

Books by Nyerges will be available at the walk.

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)

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)

MYCOLOGY: the fungus among us -- ON-LINE
2024-08-07 19:00 - 21:00 UTC
August 7 at 7 p.m., and August 14 at 7 p.m.
These are two on-line classes delving into the world of mushrooms. We will explore some of the most common mushrooms found in the west, dividing them between the gilled fungi and non-gilled fungi. Lots of images to see, and this is good for beginners and more advanced mycology students.

Sponsored by Pasadena City College. Call (626) 585-7608 for information and registration. Cost to college is $65.
Taught by Christopher Nyerges.

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)

"TIL DEATH DO US PART?" -- lecture based on this book
2024-10-04 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Awareness Center Yoga, 2801 E. Foothill in Pasadena
awarenesscenteryoga.com/events

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.

TRADITIONAL ARROW-MAKING WORKSHOP
2024-12-28 10:00 - 13:30 UTC
Saturday, December 28, 10 a.m.
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.

You will also see and learn about a few other of the common, and silent, weapons of the past, such as the atlatl, slings, nets, etc.

Bring your knife, and fine files if you have them. Otherwise, tools will be provided. Location 2, Hahamongna Watershed Park.
Bring water, and a snack if needed.

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.

PLANT WALK & FORAGING FOR TEA
2025-04-26 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Plant Walk & Foraging for Tea — special collaboration with Herb Club LA
April 26, Saturday, 10 am to 1 pm

Location: TBD (will be updated upon registration)

Prices: $45 (Senior/student 35)

Event information:

The School of Self Reliance (Christopher Nyerges) and Andrea Jimenez, a certified naturalist and herbalist, from Herb Club LA are teaming up to create a foraging plant walk and tea experience.

Andrea Jimenez is an LA native who has a passion for bridging the connection between community, land, and health.

In this collaboration we will be uniting for an exploratory plant walk and participate in brewing our own teas with expertise from both the School of Self Reliance and Andrea Jimenez (Herb Club LA).

We will be walking and exploring native and non-native plants in our environment, their uses, how different cultures used them, for food, medicine, and tea.

We will identify and forage local plants that offer both nutritional and medicinal value.

We will learn practical skills and apply them by enjoying freshly brewed herbal teas created from that harvest.
Bring a notebook, and comfortable walking shoes! Bring water as well.

Allow extra time for parking & being on time.

You can register for this unique offering through the eventbrite link here, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/plant-walk-foraging-for-tea-tickets-1301597395849

LEARNING THE BASIC PLANT FAMILIES -- a new class!
2025-04-27 12:00 - 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
LEARNING THE PATTERN METHOD OF IDENTIFYING PLANT FAMILIES
Sunday, April 27, Noon

Taught by certified Herbalist Cash Robertson

This is a new class we will be offering.
You will learn the specifics of how to identify key botanical Families, which is very important if you plan to eat any wild foods.
Utilizing the book “Botany in a Day” and ” Shanleya’s Quest 1 and 2″ by Tom Elpel (books available for purchase at the class for a discounted rate), you will spend time studying the 8 most common plant families found world wide through discussion, show and tell, and “Botany” card games. You will learn to memorize the easily identified characteristics of these plant families.
We’ll do a short walk along a trail to see and learn, the plant families.
Many of the plant families we will encounter and identify are entirely safe and we will collect with a goal to sample at least a wild soup, so be sure to bring your bowl.
Besides learning about the common plant families, basic food and medicinal uses of the plants, you’ll learn a little about which plants are good for fire-making, and which are good for cordage/basketry.
Leisurely walk. Bring a canteen of water, a bowl, and a camera.
Suitable for all ages
NOTE: This class is a prerequisite for the Second 8 most common plant families
Taught by certified herbalist Cash Robertson.
