Whether you’re planning a day hike in a local state park or a week-long adventure in the wilderness, always plan for the unexpected. A wilderness survival kit is a great idea. It’s all too easy to find yourself in a survival situation due to something as simple as slipping on wet rocks or a muddy […]
Animals are living secret lives all around us all the time. As we become more aware of nature, we can become connected to them as fascinating beings we share the world with. Though it may seem obvious, these animals are individuals with their own temperaments, territories, styles, and sometimes families. To some extent, we can […]
The mysteries of the universe have long tantalized mankind, from the peoples of the earliest days of recorded history to the 21st century where space travel, underwater exploration, and even Google Earth have opened new and exciting vistas to us. Throughout these days, years, decades, and centuries, humans sought to explain the universe, whether through […]
Ever wondered what kinds of survival foods you could eat if you were caught in a survival situation? When I first came to Washington, all I could see was a wall of green plants. I knew nothing about what I could and could not eat if I were to get lost in the woods. That […]
Survival techniques are plentiful, but there are five basic survival skills that everyone who ventures into the outdoors should understand, and be fully aware of their potential need and use. This is just a brief outline, not a full explanation of all the requirements and items required in each category. One of the most important […]
Is it safe to drink this water? I ask myself that question often and most of the time the answer is no. There often is the risk that bacteria, chemicals, and pathogens, specifically Giardia, are in the water. Rainwater or dew that is resting on non-poisonous plants such as moss is safe to drink as […]
I remember the first time I tried to make a bow and arrow. There was a wind storm and many branches were down from the large black oak trees in my backyard. I picked up a stick and ran to get some string from the house. Then I looked for a shorter, straight branch.I took […]
Sometimes the smallest thing can be the biggest problem. One of these tiny problems comes in the form of insects—specifically stings. Even if you are not severely allergic to bee or insect stings, it can still be an annoyance with some people experiencing swelling and itching of the site. Whether you are at home in […]
Listening to birds and watching bird behavior allows us to become aware of animal activity, to sneak up on wildlife or unsuspecting friends, and to enhance our senses. In my year at Wilderness Awareness School’s Immersion program, in Duvall, Washington, I explored the school’s teachings about birds, bird watching, and awareness. Here I’ll share some […]
For the majority of human history, children have played using their imagination and curiosity. In all that time—without television, video games, or mass-manufactured toys—kids spent most of their free time exploring natural surroundings. Nature was home. As with most nature camps, the curriculum at Wilderness Awareness School involves a lot of play, bugs, songs, and […]
Before we introduced ourselves at Wilderness Awareness School’s Wild Women’s Weekend last October, the weekend’s host passed the hypothetical torch over to Marina Rivera who would make the first ceremonial fire to begin the weekend. Wordlessly, Marina stepped in slow, dancer-like steps towards a piece of wood that she held with one bare foot. She […]
Wilderness Awareness School is no longer selling the Kamana Naturalist Training Program or the Seeing Through Native Eyes audio series. While 8 Shields is the owner of these products, we have been integral in providing student support and selling this program for over two decades. At this point, we have come to realize that although this […]
Identity-based affinity spaces are spaces specifically created for folks who share a specific identity – such as people of color, women, or LGBTQ+ folks – to gather, express themselves authentically, and learn together. People of color, women, LGBTQ+ folks, people with disabilities, and members of other historically underrepresented groups continue to face systemic oppression, microaggressions, […]
We at Wilderness Awareness School are officially retiring the name Anake Outdoor School. As a program that is continuously evolving, this change is being made in order to step into further growth for this beloved experience. Retiring this name is an important part of our continued efforts and commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. […]
A little birdie told me something scary was right outside my window. He didn’t say it in words, of course, or at least not in English. But it was clear from that robin’s incessant Cheep! Cheep! CHEEP! – so shrill, so unlike his cheerful melodic song – that danger was afoot. A sparrow’s harsh CHIRP […]
Better late than never! That is how I describe the day I finally registered for The Immersion at Wilderness Awareness School. Occasionally, I think about choices I might have made differently had I graduated from this life-changing program decades earlier, but I heed the advice of Galway Kinnell in his poem, Wait: “Distrust everything if […]
We chose to raise our son Brayden in Duvall specifically so we could make Wilderness Awareness School a significant part of his life. I wanted him to grow up with these beautiful people and with all that the school provides. WAS is an essential part of his education and childhood. Your help through donations builds […]
“I had become stuck, and now that I’m taking part in The Immersion, so much gunk has been removed.” – Sam, a 2019 Immersion Student We talk with many folks who turn to The Immersion at Wilderness Awareness School for a big transformation in life. These are individuals who are prepared to bravely show up […]
I hated Winter. Growing up in Minnesota, where they scoff at snow days and the windchill freezes the inside of your nostrils, I couldn’t wait to move to a warmer climate. At the age of 20, I left my mittens behind and headed for Southern California, spending a few years amongst the palm trees. But […]