August 29th 9am until 30th 4pm
San Gabriel Mountains
Bring your own camping gear
We provide the (really yummy) food
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Firecraft
Find, filter & purify water
Build natural shelter
Navigate by landscape, sun & stars
Read the terrain & the signs of the land
Identify and responsibly work with plants
Practice bushcraft & primitive skills
Move safely through mountains and wilderness
Make knots & practical tools
Build confidence, adaptability & survival mindset
Reconnect with nature and your own instincts
And perhaps most importantly, learning how to trust yourself again.
Schedule
SATURDAY 9 am - until you fall asleep under the stars
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Campers ease into the day with light games, creative prompts and a welcome circle to set the tone.
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Guided outdoor activities and free play to stretch, move, and soak up some fresh air.
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We will provide lunch.
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Hands-on time to explore the daily themes and skill development.
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We take care of the dinner. Everything is tastier after a day moving your body and even more if you leave it in the hands of a professional cook.
And the learning continues…
SUNDAY until 4 pm
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We restart the fire and provide breakfast.
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Get ready for learning and practicing more skills.
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We take care of lunch.
Well deserved and enjoy the time together.
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And unfortunately… time to leave nature. Leave no trace.
Where to Find Us
San Gabriel Mountains
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime.
If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and apply.
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A hands-on wilderness experience where you’ll learn practical survival, bushcraft, wildcraft, and ancestral skills while reconnecting with nature and learning to become more self-reliant in the wild.
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Learning to read, understand, and work with the natural world—developing practical skills, confidence, awareness, and a deeper relationship with the land.
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No. The course is designed for beginners and experienced outdoors people alike. Skills are taught step-by-step, with opportunities to challenge yourself at your own level.
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Depending on the retreat, skills may include fire-making, shelter building, water finding and purification, navigation, tracking, wild food and plant identification, foraging, natural medicine, cordage, tool-making, cooking over fire, and wilderness awareness.
See the specific course program at the top of this page.
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Wildcrafting is the practice of responsibly working with plants and natural materials found in the wild—learning how to identify, harvest, prepare, and use them for food, medicine, craft, and everyday life.
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You’ll receive a detailed packing list before the retreat. Generally, you’ll need weather-appropriate clothing, a knife, sturdy footwear, a water bottle, personal essentials and any required camping equipment.
During the night in gets colder, so bring your cousy sleeping bag or a good blanket.
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You don’t need to be an extreme adventurer. Some activities can be physically demanding, but we encourage everyone to participate at their own pace.
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Absolutely! We encourage it!
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Safety is our priority. All activities are guided by experienced instructors, and you’ll be taught how to work responsibly with fire, tools, plants, water, and the environment.
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Yes. This is a hands-on experience. Expect to spend significant time outdoors learning directly from the environment rather than sitting in a classroom.
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For this experience YES, we will camp. So any of the following is valid: Tent, tarp, hammock or vivac directly under the starry night.
We will learn how to make a natural bed, but if you prefer, a simple infatable mattress and / or a yoga mat can work.
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Yes! Yummy healthy food.
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Possibly not. Part of the experience is stepping away from constant connectivity and becoming more present with your surroundings.
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We keep groups intentionally small so everyone receives hands-on instruction and has the opportunity to participate.
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Absolutely. Many people join solo. The retreat is designed to bring people together through shared experiences and learning.
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Unless conditions become unsafe, the elements are part of the experience. You’ll learn how to work with weather rather than simply avoid it.
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New skills, greater confidence in the outdoors, a deeper understanding of nature, and practical knowledge you can continue using long after the retreat ends.