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The Curriculum of the Residential Program
- A holistic approach to learning in nature

More than just a survival school or even a survival course, the Residential Program is an exciting, outdoor college-level course that consists of six fields of study that are interconnected and run concurrently throughout the school year:

The Skills of the Naturalist: Getting to Know Your Place
Get to know the flora, fauna, and ecology of the Pacific Northwest. In this component of the course students develop a rich understanding of plants, trees, mammals, and birds, as well as the identification, taxonomy, and natural history of North American species, coming away with the background necessary to succeed as a well-rounded naturalist.

The Science of Tracking: Interpreting Patterns of Life
Unravel the mysteries of tracks and sign left behind by wildlife. This part of the course is designed to give students a holistic grounding in the art and science of animal tracking. Emphasis is placed on the development of accurate track and sign identification and interpretation skills, as well as applications of tracking in biological research.

Working with Wild Plants: Ethnobotany and Stewardship
Gather and prepare wild plants to use for food, medicine, and tools. This aspect of the course is a hands-on study of the diverse uses of native plants and trees. Students learn field identification, edible/medicinal preparations, and plant technologies. The course also covers modern and indigenous principles of forest stewardship, permaculture, and restoration.

Natural Mentoring: Nature-Based Models of Education
Learn Wilderness Awareness School's unique educational model and mentoring techniques for children and nature. This part of the course teaches students the principles of our nature-based approach to education and community development. Students come away with the knowledge and experience necessary for being an effective outdoor instructor, leader, and mentor for kids and adults.

Wilderness Survival Skills: Technologies of the Hunter-Gatherer
Practice skills that can save your life. This component of the course engages students in the practice of indigenous wilderness survival skills, including the key elements needed for survival in the outdoors unaided by modern tools. Students learn to build shelters from atural materials, locate and purify water, create fire from friction, and master wilderness survival skills.

Nature Observation: Bird Sounds Interpretation and Sensory Awareness
Develop the awareness of a wild animal. This aspect of the course focuses on nature awareness skills. Students practice activities that build greater sensory acuity, train the body to move gracefully and silently in the forest, and cultivate the ability to interpret predator disturbance patterns displayed in bird sounds and behaviors (bird language).

While we distinguish between these six fields of study, the true power of the Residential Program lies in the integration of these subjects in an immersion experience. As students study all six of these areas of knowledge in concert, they develop a truly holistic sense of place within the natural world, as well as a greater understanding of their role in their community, and a clearer awareness of their own passions and vision for their lives.

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