Saturday, May 2, 2026 from 9:30-5:30 with complimentary transportation from Puyallup WA to our favorite accessible wilderness location along the Nisqually River at the foot of Mt. Rainier with Wolf Camp directors Kim & Chris Chisholm.
This class will give you great teaching tools for use when hiking and backpacking. If you are “navigationally challenged,” then we hope the simple way we teach these skills will open a world of understanding for you in the wilderness. If you are ready to guide others, we hope this workshop will give you the tools to lead. Skills will include:
- Outdoor Leadership & Risk Management
- Navigating & Orienteering with and without Map & Compass
- Efficient Packing
- Herbal & Wilderness Medicine Primer
Instructor Chris Chisholm summarizing the 30 points of navigation.
Top 10 Lost proofing Skills: The most important skill for lost proofing is awareness. In fact, some people say there is no such thing as being lost, just in being unaware, so we will practice skills to improve your spatial recognition including wide-angle vision, expanded hearing, and new ways of walking appropriate to various environments, among other skills such as reviewing the 10 Packing Essentials and risk management tips shared from our Search & Rescue background,
Top 10 Orienteering Skills: You will be amazed by some of the incredible ways to find north-south-east-west in order to walk in a straight line toward your destination on a map. One of our favorites is floating a leaf in water and placing a pin on the leaf. Amazingly, it points to magnetic north. We’ll demonstrate that, and some other ways to orient yourself to the cardinal directions in city and wilderness, from GPS to the stars.
Top 10 Navigation Skills: There are some very important skills to learn in order to negotiate your way through nature without map or compass. For instance, do you know how to follow the contours of a hill in order to stay above thick brush and away from steep cliffs? How about lining up landmarks in order to go straight? We’ll talk about these skills and practice others as allowed by time and location.
Map & Compass Field Training: No matter whether you have GPS or not, the crux of these skills is understanding map and compass. Our method of using map and compass should allay your fears, even when it comes to contour lines and magnetic declination. We are going to transition to a big, near-by commuter parking lot to practice navigating with compasses, as well as we helping you test to see if you are “right or left dominant” because when walking in nature, most people continually veer left or right when they actually want to go straight. Key to navigating in nature is learning how to compensate for your dominance.
FAQs
What ages can participate? Workshops are designed for adults, but youth may enroll with a parent/guardian.
How should we prepare for the workshop? To get a jump-start on the skills we cover in this class click here for our blog post on the subject but otherwise, prepare as you normally would for a hike, including snacks, lunch, water bottle, 10 Essentials, etc. – all that a safe hiker or any leader should bring, plus hats, warm clothes, proper footwear, and rain gear as necessary for the outdoor portion of class.
Also bring an Orienteering Compass, if possible, although we’ll have plenty to share and can sell basic compasses at the end of the workshop. Please note that “surveyor’s compasses” and other non-map-compasses won’t work well for backcountry travel. If you don’t have a hiking compass yet, try online, or cheaper sports stores for last-minute purchase, and we may have the following recommended compasses for sale at class, including: the Rothco Orienteering Compass Item #337 for learning in the $10-$15 price range, or the Brunton 15TDCL Compass if you want to go up to the next level in the $35 price range for precise mirrored sighting and adjustable declination, the Silva Ranger 515 Compass at about $45, or the patented Suunto “global needle’s unique ability to handle tilts up to 20 degrees makes it perfect for hikers that don’t want to break their stride. Not having to level the compass exactly makes it easier to take an accurate reading while you’re still moving along the trail.
Cost & Registration
Cost for this workshop is $165 for one person, and $130 per additional friend/family member registering in advance, with optional transportation provided from Puyallup WA, plus reduced tuition and scholarship options also available by request.
Simply reserve your spots via one of the following methods, or click on specific programs for FAQs:
• Zelle using our email address with that extra “e” on skye plus try to add a note including camper name/age, camp start date/theme, plus your CONTACT INFORMATION (phone number is fine if system doesn’t allow sharing email) if we don’t already have your info since Zelle doesn’t automatically share that with us;
• Or use Venmo to @Chris-Chisholm-13 or • CashApp to $wolfschool but again, try to add your contact information, camper name, program theme and dates, or follow up right away with that via email;
• Or use Credit Card or Apple Pay;
• Or call us between 9am-9pm at 425-248-0253 ex 1 with a credit card to register over the phone;
Or email us to be put on our list for this program in the future. We always keep your information absolutely private, and will never share it.
Liability Release & Refund Policy FAQ – Can we get a refund if we cancel, and do we need to sign a liability release? Our refund policy only offers credit for future programs if you cancel, as detailed in the second to the last paragraph below. By registering for any program, you thereby agree to our liability release herein unless you specify disagreement with specific portions in advance, such as sharing of photos and video for promotional purposes. Otherwise, Christopher & Kimberly M. Chisholm, dba Wolf Camp, the Wolf College, Blue Skye Farm and School of Natural Science, all hereinafter known as Wolf Camp, cannot guarantee that the risks listed or implied herein won’t occur. So in consideration of services of Wolf Camp, its owners, officers, agents, employees, assistants and all other persons or entities associated with this business – including third parties such as collaborators, financial contributors, and host sites / land owners and renters upon whose property this business conducts programs like the Conservation College, WA State Parks, WA DNR, WDFW, city parks, private farms and campgrounds, etc. along with their officers, elected officials, agents and employees (hereafter known as Third Parties) – you agree as follows:
“Although Wolf Camp will take reasonable steps to provide me (or my child) with appropriate support and security, certain risks cannot be eliminated without compromising the educational character of Wolf Camp programs. The same elements that contribute to this educational character can be causes of loss or damage to equipment, accidental injury or illness, or in extreme cases, permanent trauma, illness or death. I understand since its legal founding, Wolf Camp participants have experienced cuts, bruises, burns, concussion, broken bones, sprained knees and ankles, likely infections, illness including appendicitis, heat exhaustion, and once in a while some tears, despite the best efforts by staff to attend to the physical, emotional, mental, and social needs of participants.In group teaching situations, it is impossible to prevent discomfort and even trauma in every circumstance, even though it is a top priority. I trust that Wolf Camp staff wants me (or my child) to become a healthier person, but in order to facilitate the kind of education Wolf Camp intends, I agree to waive all claims of liability on the part of Wolf Camp and its Third Parties.
“The lands and facilities that Wolf Camp utilize may be natural areas next to wilderness, and services can be few. Participants living in tents and in the open may be exposed to weather, venomous and wild animals, human intruders and all hazards common to living. As anywhere, the services provided, including sanitary facilities, drinking water, kitchen and food services at Wolf Camp programs are susceptible to contamination. Those who participate in Wolf Camp programs and assist in camp maintenance, food preparation and clean-up do so in good faith but assume no responsibility for accidental or incidental illness or injury that may result. Fires, knapping pit, weapons/archery range, farm animal areas, sharp tools, hazardous plants, boats, water, vehicles and other hazards expose participants to risk. There are times when participants are able to range freely within designated boundaries, go alone to their study site, pet animals, play in wooded areas which have limited visual perspective, and participate in supervised swimming and boating.
“Wolf Camp owners and staff, paid and volunteer, offer their services to make programs wonderful. However, I agree they are not responsible for accidents, injuries, illnesses or losses that may come as a result of my (child’s) participation. I understand that the description of risks is not complete and that other unknown or unanticipated risks may result in loss, injury or death. I agree to assume responsibility for all risks, even those not identified herein. My (child’s) participation in Wolf Camp activities is purely voluntary. By signing below, I elect to participate in spite of the risks, listed or implied or not, and I waive all legal claims against Wolf Camp and its Third Parties. I assume full responsibility for all costs resulting from all losses and expenses thereof, whether resulting from evacuation, transport, treatment, future effect or otherwise. I have read, understood, and accepted the terms and conditions stated herein and acknowledge that this participation agreement, assumption of risk, and waiver of liability shall be effective and binding upon myself, all family members, heirs, assigns, personal representatives, estates, interested friends and partners.
“Health Insurance & Medical Treatment: I certify that the applicant named on this form is capable of participating in this activity, and that she/he/they has current, full medical coverage at all times while attending Wolf Camp activities with a deductible not to exceed $2,000 per incident and per year. I understand Wolf Camp can direct me to affordable temporary health insurance upon request. I give full consent (for my child) to receive medical treatment deemed necessary by those responsible, whether or not reasonable attempt made to inform next of kin is successful. I will assume full financial responsibility for any cost relating to any accident or injury that may occur while participating in Wolf Camp programs. I hold all people associated with Wolf Camp harmless for any loss, accident, injury or death that might occur, and I hereby agree to release and indemnify Wolf Camp and its Third Parties whatsoever, from any claims and/or damages arising out of my (child’s) participation. Qualified instructors, guides, and other facilitators associated with Wolf Camp may provide First Aid and CPR response to participants in case of injury or other health problems, including calling for professional medical assistance. I also understand that emergency medical response may not be readily available due to travel outside of 911 call areas. I agree to indicate on an attached paper any health care requests that may conflict with the training of Wolf Camp staff, and I understand that although efforts will be made to accommodate my attached requests, that persons responsible may nonetheless make “Good Samaritan” decisions that they deem best in health care situations.
“Behavior & Lost Items: I will not hold Wolf Camp, Third Parties, nor any program participant responsible for articles or personal belongings lost or damaged by any means (fire, theft, activities, laundry, etc.). I know that participants may be asked to leave at any time for inappropriate behavior, and no refund nor credit will be given for the portion of the program which is missed. I will be sure to read the behavioral agreements after registering, or view them meanwhile online. I also understand that people gathering as strangers in a common space bring with them their own politics, spirituality, and social behaviors, creating group dynamics that may be new. Wolf Camp encourages participants to be exposed to a variety of age-appropriate backgrounds, value systems and acceptable behaviors. I agree that I (and my child) will be respectful, tolerant and temperate in behaviors while participating in Wolf Camp activities. I also understand that unpredictability of human nature can’t guarantee a lack of incidents on the part of other participants.
“Refund & Suspension Policy: Deposits and payments are not refundable unless we don’t accept your application. If you cancel for any reason, you may receive a prorated credit good through the following calendar year on appropriate and available programs listed on our schedule, although an additional deposit is needed to secure your spot in the future program. If a program you sign up for is canceled and not rescheduled at a time you can attend, you may receive a full refund except in cases of natural (weather, geologic, wildfire, etc) disasters, grid failures, epidemics, government shutdowns, conflicts or curfews, or other unforeseen emergencies making it unsafe for staff and/or attendees to reach or use program locations, in which case all payments made will be held by us without expiration date for your future use in appropriate/available programs of your choice. Reasons include the expenditure of funds (property rentals, advertising, materials, admin staff time, etc.) long before programs take place, i.e. deposits make it feasible for Wolf Camp to schedule programs in the first place, but our mutually understood agreement is that Wolf Camp will run the program at the safest available time in the future. Finally, no refund, nor credit, is given if a participant is asked to leave a program for inappropriateness as determined by our kids, youth and adult agreements for participation, so I commit to reading the agreements and (my child) adhering to them, taking full risk of (she/he/they) missing program time without refund.
“Photos, Video & Recordings: I give permission for pictures, audio and video recordings (of my child) to be taken and for the sounds and images to be used for Wolf Camp advertisements, websites, social networking sites, and other program promotions or outreach, unless otherwise indicated. In consideration of all statements made on all pages of this release, and not relying on any other information stated or published by Wolf Camp or any other entity that may or may not contradict statements on these pages, I wish to (have my child) participate in the Wolf Camp activities indicated or implied through program payments.”