Upcoming events

We’re stoked to be offering some diverse classes and workshops through Fall 2024-Winter 2025!

Meet Your Instructor

Ben Mardis is a passionate naturalist, herbalist, and wilderness skills educator with over a decade of outdoor education experience teaching all skill levels.

Ben has taught at Alderleaf Wilderness College and led survival classes for the Washington Conservation Corps. He holds a B.S. in Conservation and Restoration Science, a Level II Tracker Certification, and an Advanced Permaculture Design Certificate.

After serving as a Submarine Sonar Technician in the Navy, Ben spent the next three years volunteering on ranches and homesteads in semi-arid, humid sub-tropical, and temperate rainforest biomes learning self-reliance and subsistence skills.

Ben loves sharing his enthusiasm for the outdoors with adults and kiddo’s alike!

Firecrafting Workshop date Saturday, February 8, 2025

Registration for this workshop is closed. Sign up to our email list for future workshops

10am-4pm hosted by: Alderleaf Wilderness College. 12 participants max. 8 required for class to run.

The Art of Firecraft: Essential Wilderness Skills

Embark on an exciting hands-on exploration of fire-making! This class is your gateway to developing practical, potentially life-saving skills while having a great time in the process. Whether you’re looking to level up your wilderness survival skills or just seeking a thrilling challenge, this workshop delivers. No experience necessary! Kiddo’s age 10+ accompanied by adult.

What Awaits You:

  • Demonstrations, practical information, and plenty of hands-on practice building and using your own bow drill kit—yours to keep.

  • Skill building time to practice modern fire-making in wet conditions.

  • A deeper understanding of fire-making techniques and their practical applications.

  • Confidence to prepare, construct, and sustain a campfire in the wild.

  • Small class size for 1 on 1 guidance

  • A supportive, fun atmosphere where learning meets adventure.

Important Workshop Logistics

The class will take place at Alderleaf Wilderness College in Monroe, WA from 10am-4pm on Saturday, Feb 8 2025. Food is NOT provided. ****A NON-SERRATED, fixed blade knife is required for the class.*** We do a lot of carving in this class, and having a sharp, fixed blade non-serrated knife with a comfortable handle is essential.

Be sure to review the weather forecast prior to class and dress appropriately. Expect to be wet and somewhat dirty by the end of class.

Want to bring your kiddo? Responsible youngsters age 10 or older are welcome to participate under adult supervision. Please remember we will being using knives and this is a very hands on class. While it is possible for kids to be successful with the main activity of practicing friction fire, most (adults included) find it quite challenging and supervising adults should expect to have less time to focus on their own project. That being said, we’ve always made sure to have a good time!

Recommended items to bring: Remember, a fixed bladed knife is required

  • Appropriate clothing and footwear to stay warm, dry, and comfortable

  • Work gloves

  • Water bottle, Lunch (no refrigeration available), Snacks to avoid getting hangry

  • Notebook

  • Basic First Aid Kit (band-aids and antiseptic). Instructor has basic wilderness first aid training and will have a first aid kit on site but you may want to bring your own.

Alderleaf Wilderness College has basic amenities (water, restroom, parking area). Please take the time to review the schools Frequently Asked Questions Page HERE.

Testimonials:

April S.

“Fun, educational, and valuable!” “The friction fire workshop was one of my favorite experiences, ever!”

We’re more than a plant nursery.

  • Permaculture Nursery Tours

    We are happy to consider individual or group tours during the growing season. We plan on offering one or two scheduled tours in the summer. Check out the bottom of this page to see what’s coming up or contact us to schedule your own tour.

  • Plant Foraging and Survival Skills

    From leisurely plant walks to friction fire making workshops, we offer a diversity of survival skills training. Interested in a custom class? Reach out to us and let’s discuss what kind of experience you’re looking for.

  • Permaculture Garden Consultations

    Need help designing your edible landscape? We are firm believers in a collaborative approach to the design process and will work right beside you to get your project on track. Contact us and let’s talk!