Saturday, April 11, 2026 Workshop from 9:30-5:30 in Orting WA along the Puyallup River, just 45 minutes south of SeaTac, with Wolf Camp directors Kim & Chris Chisholm.
Join us for a great day tracking and trailing wild animals. Learn to know when cougars, coyotes, bears or other critters are around by listening to the birds on the trail, and knowing what to do in case you run into them. Birds vocalize clues to where animals are, and tracks reveal when they were most recently present.
We’ll start with a safety overview for living, hiking, hunting and foraging in wolf, cougar and bear country. It is important to understand large predators and their prey in order to keep yourself safe, and to keep them safe in the wild. That’s the crux of the matter: everyone wants to protect nature and themselves at the same time. The key is knowledge, and taking right action based on that knowledge. Also, wolves have returned to Washington & Oregon. So now, we have more than just cougars and bears to consider. That sounds scary, but in reality, there will be fewer cougars and black bears because wolves will be competing on the same territory. Wolves are statistically the least dangerous, but despite the insignificant chance of a dangerous encounter with any of these megafaunas, your behavior when around them should deflect their triggers. Each species has particular triggers to become aware of, and you should learn their “language” in order to avoid problems.
The workshop takes place where sign of all the big and little wild animals found in our bioregion are concentrated for all to see. Whether you hunt with a camera, bow or gun, or if you just love northwest wildlife, you are welcome you to join us for a special day of tracking. Learn specialized tracking and trailing skills as we venture to get close to elk, deer, bear, and a host of other critters as well. In addition to learning what to do in case you run into bears on the trail, you will gain skills to help you become the first to know where to find (or avoid) their hidden dens.
The most important skill in nature is awareness, whether it be for safety or discovering animals. We will start by practicing “wide angle vision” like owls do, plus “expanded hearing” like deer use to decipher whether sounds they hear in the forest are predators or friendlies, and the “stealth walk” like foxes teach us in order to move undetected in nature so we see more animals and experience their behavior as if we weren’t there. We like to say that if you bring home just one set of skills from tonight’s class, that these awareness activities are it. They will help you see more wildlife, and keep you safer, in city and wilderness, better than any other set of knowledge.
In order to help you open to a world of evidence that animals leave wherever they move, we’ll look for and discuss scrapes, lays, burrows, latrines, larders, nests, partial tracks, pressure releases, vegetative cuttings, and everything else we can find – even the condition of feathers to determine exactly how or if a bird might have been killed or injured. You also have to be able to trail animals if you want to find them, so now that your eyes are adjusted to seeing sign, we’re going to train you in the kind of trailing that real animal trackers use, keeping your head up and walking fast, identifying voices of the birds to know what is up ahead!
You will learn to interpret what animals are doing based on their tracks while also understanding the characteristics of mammal families present in our area. We view nature like a detective, following clues and solving mysteries that others neglect to see. Amazingly, animals reveal themselves to all who can read their stories in the earth. Tracks can even tell us about the size, health, emotions, history and even intentions of animals which would otherwise remain hidden all around us. Something that really helps is to learn “animal forms” which are the way animals move, as this is critical to really understand how tracks get laid on the ground.
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? Please prepare as you normally would for a hike, including snacks, lunch, water bottle, 10 essentials, etc., but especially with appropriate clothing including rain gear and waterproof footwear. Also, bring along a set of binoculars, digital camera, and if you don’t have a birding field guide yet and wish to purchase one, we recommend: Wildlife of the Pacific Northwest by David Moskowitz, among others.
Cost & Registration
Cost for this workshop is just $135 for one person, and $110 per additional friend/family member registering in advance including tax etc., with reduced tuition and scholarship options 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 as recipient, or • Venmo to @Chris-Chisholm-13 • or CashApp to $wolfschool with a follow-up email including participant names (and ages of minors), program date/theme, plus your CONTACT INFORMATION (phone number is fine if system doesn’t give email address option) if we don’t already have your info since Zelle doesn’t automatically share that with us;
• Or use PayPal/Apple Pay/Debit/Credit Card Deposit;
• 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.”