Ages 16+
minors must be accompanied by an adult
Linne Doran: Duvall, WA
$165
9am-4pm; No food provided
February 15th, 2025
Fire has long been a tool for survival throughout human history. It has been used to light our way in the night, cook our food, warm our bodies, fertilize our fields, and gather around for stories.
In this workshop we will explore the ancient art of making fire-by-friction, primarily using the bow-drill technique. Our main focus will be learning how to carve and use our fire kits. We’ll also prepare tinder bundles and blow them into flame.
This will be a full-day program with plenty of hands-on work. You will go home with a fully functional fire kit and the skills to practice on your own.
In this course you will learn:
- How to carve your own bow drill kit
- How to use a knife safely and effectively
- What local woods are best for friction fire
- Techniques and strategies to get a bowdrill coal
- To create and use a natural tinder bundle
Program Logistics
The class will take place at our school’s 40-acre property from 9am-4pm on Saturday. Food is not provided. A NON-SERRATED, fixed blade knife is required for the class. Quality knives will be available for purchase online before your class ($20-35 depending on the model). We do a lot of carving in this class, and having a sharp, fixed blade non-serrated knife with a comfortable handle is essential.
Meet Your Instructors:
Siana Stutchbury
Siana grew up in a beautiful indigenous forest on the outskirts of Nairobi, in Kenya. She spent much of her childhood exploring the natural world with her family, going on epic camping trips, gardening with her mum and riding bikes with her brother. Growing up with a deep reverence for the planet, she always felt a deep desire to protect the more than human inhabitants who share the planet with us.
After teaching English in Spain for a year, Siana came to Duvall to participate as a student in The Immersion in 2016. She has since spent 2 years with the Adult Nature Instructor Training in the Immersion, and 1 year with Wild Within 2 in the Youth Nature Instructor Training.
Siana loves her curiosity and how she connects with the natural world through it. She loves biking—especially overnight trips, reading novels, sneaking, crafting, and learning more about Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Lydia Crook
Lydia is a thoughtful and dedicated mentor who builds strong relationships and cultivates an environment full of fun and laughter. She loves to build fires, climb trees, craft, bake, and go long-distance hiking!
She came to Wilderness Awareness School in 2021 from the UK to do the Youth Nature Instructor Training. Back in England she co-ran and taught at a small Forest School called Seeking Wild. Before finding her way to nature based education she taught yoga to children, refugees & asylum seekers, University students, and in studios.