DATE: Wednesday April 29th, 2026 – Friday May 1, 2026
TIME: 8am-4pm April 29th and 30th, with optional evening sessions around the campfire each night. 8am-2pm May 1st. Please arrive by 7:45am and be prepared to start at 8am each day.
LOCATION: Eel Creek Campground, just south of Reedsport, OR.
A NOTE FROM THE PROGRAM TEAM:
Thank you for registering for Wildlife Tracking at the Oregon Dunes. We are excited to meet you! This page contains information that you will need to prepare for this program. Please read it carefully.
If you have any questions regarding your registration, please contact Wilderness Awareness School at (425) 788-1301 or [email protected]; our office hours are 8:00am,-4:00pm, Monday through Friday.
If you have any questions about registration, refunds, or transfers, please visit our Cancellation and Transfer Policy.
Sincerely,
Marcus Reynerson
Lead Instructor
Kevin O’Malley and Sara Lamar
Instructors
Shivani Gogna
Program Manager
WHAT TO EXPECT:
We will base out of Eel Creek campground and will have a group site reserved for our “classroom” time as well as an optional class gathering area around the fire in the evenings. You can reserve your own spot at the campground, or you can find other accommodations nearby in Reedsport or Coos Bay. If you are not staying at Eel Creek campground, there may be a daily parking fee ($5-$15/day).
We will spend all three days of the course outside regardless of the weather. When you leave your car, please bring all the food and gear you need to be out the entire day. Be prepared to dress in layers so that you can adjust easily (see attached gear list).
We strive to balance theory with hands-on practice in a safe learning environment. We ask you to turn off your electronic devices in class and to only access it for essential needs.
FACILITIES:
Eel Creek Campground has toilets and sinks. Each campground also has trash cans. There are showers across the road at Tugman State Park.
FOOD:
Food is not provided for this course. Please bring a lunch and snack food for each day.
WHAT TO PACK:
Please bring the following items with you each day. This list is designed with your comfort and safety in mind and takes into account the variable weather possibilities during winter in Western Washington.
- 1-2 liters of water
- Notebook and pen/pencil
- Daypack (to carry lunch, water, notebook, and extra layers)
- Clothing that is appropriate for the weather and can get dirty. The key to being prepared is having multiple layers that you can add/remove during the day. Depending on the time of year, this could include:
- Appropriate footwear
- Synthetic long underwear top and bottom (not cotton)
- Wool or fleece pants (not cotton)
- Wool or fleece jacket (not cotton)
- Rain jacket, rain pants, and rain hat
- Wool socks
- Warm hat
- Gloves
- Recommended Camping Gear
- Tent with rain fly and ground tarp
- Sleeping bag and pad (with temperature rating appropriate for season)
- Toiletries and personal medication
- Flashlight
- Food
- Camp stove
- Cooler