Primitive Fire Techniques -  Participants are taught to identify natural fire making materials in the wild and use them to build a fire without modern assistance.  Hand and bow drill methods are taught in order to promote independence and confidence in one’s ability to survive in the wilderness.  Pump drill and flint and steel techniques are also taught to round out participant’s knowledge. 

Obsidian Knapping - The ancient art of stone tool making is taught to further increase one’s ability to survive under the most primitive circumstances.  Stone tools such as arrowheads, knives, spear points, axe blades, and digging tools can be made and a “possibles” kit can be assembled.  This will enable participants to accomplish day to day tasks in the wilderness without steel implements.

Edible and Medicinal Plants -  Participants are instructed on how to identify edible plants in their local environment.  Medicinal plants are also identified and the best preparations for a variety of ailments are considered.  Plants to avoid are an integral part of this instruction.

Hunting and Tracking -  The habits and habitat of a variety of animals are taught in order to increase participant’s viability in the wild.  Principals of camouflage and scent masking are combined with hunters' “tricks of the trade” and traditional games such as “drum stalk.”  The ability to identify animal tracks and other signs are taught in order to form a mental picture of animal behavior, essential to hunting and trapping.

Archery and Arrow Making -  Traditional cane composite arrow making techniques are taught to provide the participant with the skills necessary to create effective hunting tools.  In longer, five-day programs, more advanced arrow making and elements of primitive bow making are included.  Participants are instructed in traditional archery skills to further increase one’s effectiveness in the wild environment.

Indian Tanned Deer Hide - Here the preparation of buckskin for use as clothing and other purposes is taught from start to finish.  Participants start with a raw skin and learn how to remove hair and membrane.  In a tanning solution the hide is worked and smoked until it becomes soft, waterproof, and comfortable.  With these skills firmly in place, a suit of clothes can be made that can last a lifetime. This is a 6 day intensive program and is only recommended for the true enthusiast. Limited demonstrations and examples of brain tanned leather are available introductory courses.

Survival Campouts - Survival campouts provide an opportunity to put the participant’s skills to test.  A variety of challenges can be utilized to provide a wonderful experience of living  in a traditional primitive lifestyle.  Participants will start friction fires, cook on stones, and pit-cook a feast.  Any or all of the survival skills can be learned in the wild environment within an atmosphere of cooperation and camaraderie.

Mineral Paint Making -  Minerals of many hues are crushed in a mortar and pestle, then mixed with various natural fats or proteins such as egg whites.  The result is rich, vibrant colors that are often as permanent as the paint used in ancient cave paintings.  Students will apply these colors in their own design to shells and wood cuttings.

Tomahawk Throwing -  There is nothing like the sound of a tomahawk landing solidly on a pine stump target.  This ancient warrior skill is taught using specially designed target hawks.  It is a time honored trapper skill once part of competition at the mountain man rendezvous of the early 1800’s.

Leather Medicine Bags -  Small pouches were worn about the neck by many groups of Native Americans.  Participants will have an opportunity to design and create a similar bag.  Almost any small item could be placed inside.  Sometimes medicinal herbs were kept inside but more often there were small objects representing the possessor’s totem plants or animals.  The translation of Native American concepts into the western word “medicine” is shaky at best.  Anything that would be helpful physically, emotionally, or spiritually to the individual was kept safe in the medicine bag.

Dream Catchers -  A Native American legend tells that all dreams are caught in the dream catcher.  Bad dreams are caught and held by the web until destroyed by the first rays of the sun.  Good dreams find their way to the hoop where they enter the life of the dreamer.  Students will spin their own dream web and personalize it with shells, feathers, and beads.

Games - The Chumash had a penchant for games of chance.  Dice where made of native walnut shells and carved sticks.  Participants make these primitive dice with asphaltium, abalone shells, walnuts and paint.  They will also learn the often-elaborate system of play.

Jerked Meat - Almost any meat can be slow smoked to ensure its longevity as a food.  The meat is sliced thin, seasoned and hung on racks.  A smoky fire is set beneath it and in a few hours delicious jerked meat that can be enjoyed up to several weeks later.  Students will build the racks and the create the twine to hang the meat.  Once prepared, they will also have to tend to the fire to ensure the smoking process.

Building Wikkiups - Although referred to by many names, the primitive hut-like shelter is made of young willow shoots and tied together with yucca fiber or the peeled bark of the willow itself.  The end result strongly resembles and upside down basket.  This framework was traditionally covered with several cubic feet of cattail leaves, but it can be covered with variety of other materials.  Groups will create their own shelter and a village, serving as the central meeting place throughout the program.  People of any age find this shelter building to be fun and relaxing.

Sweat Lodge -  Lodges similar to the Wikki-up are constructed and covered is such a way as to block out all light and air from the outside.  Red-hot stones that have been in the center of a raging fire for hours are brought into the lodge full of people.  Water is splashed on the rocks and the resulting heat and humidity causes the body to shed sweat and built-up toxins.  This activity is traditionally steeped in much ceremony and spiritual exploration.  Participants feel both challenged and cleansed by this powerful event.

Cooking on a Stone -  The art of cooking outdoors with no pots and pans is rapidly being lost.  Participants will grind grains or starches such as corn or acorn meat into a fine flour and mix into a batter and then cook on a piece of oiled slate.  Fun for any age and delicious too.

Survival Overnight - (optional) Students have a chance to use what they have learned on this primitive campout.  After the afternoon activities, those that have chosen to take the challenge head out with sleeping bags and primitive tools which they have made.  Using these stone tools and natural resources, participants set up shelters and collect the abundant edible plants growing wild and prepare them with other indigenous foods (venison, trout, corn, and corncakes).  They may construct a sweat lodge, learn Native American legends, or participate in sensory awareness activities.  In the morning they are back for breakfast and their camp broken down without a trace.  A lifelong memory for most participants!