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Wilderness Survival Course & Naturalist Training
The Wilderness Awareness Residential Program

"The year was intensive, hands-on, and chock full of activities. I have been amazed at how wonderful this wilderness course is, and can’t believe I ever doubted coming for the year."
—Rich Kelley

 

Wilderness Awareness School's Residential Program is a year-long wilderness course that provides in-depth training in a powerful set of nature awareness and wilderness survival skills.

Our highly experienced core instructors, guest instructors and staff specialists guide you in field studies ranging from wilderness survival skills to wildlife tracking techniques and wild edible plant preparations. Your adventures are based out of our beautiful campus outside of Duvall, WA, in the Pacific Northwest, and range from the waters of Puget Sound, across the Cascade mountains to the high deserts of the eastside, and down the pacific coast to the sand dunes of Oregon and the redwoods of California.

"The Residential Program program has given me the opportunity to live, learn and grow within a community of naturalists in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, an opportunity of a lifetime."
—Meghan Young

 

The Wilderness Awareness Residential Program helps people develop a deep and intimate relationship with the natural world. This life changing wilderness experience is grounded in a powerful, community-oriented philosophy of learning that is informed by the legacy of indigenous cultures from around the world, and a cutting-edge understanding of our natural heritage as human beings.

As Ingwe, the grandfather and co-founder of Wilderness Awareness School, never tired of saying "The Wilderness holds all truth and knowledge." In a time when our modern world is moving on an increasingly technological track, these words remind us of how critical it is to maintain a connection with the natural world. At the Residential Program, you will develop the eyes, the ears, and the awareness with which to help our culture move forward into the future in a healthy and sustainable way.

"The most valuable gift I have taken from the Residential Program is a deep and powerful sense of my own belonging and worth in this world.

During the program I experienced numerous rites-of-passage that my soul was aching for... I remain truly grateful."
—Brett Schull

Recieve a free DVD and color brochure by using our quick request form. You may also use this form if you have additional questions.

To apply, please visit our application page.

NOTE: The standard application deadline for the 2009-2010 school year is February 1, 2009. See the rest of the application timeline and payment due dates.

Residential Program at a Glance:

• Location: Based out of our campus in Duvall, WA with field trips to locations further afield in the Northwest.
  
  
• Duration: School-year schedule. Meets Wed., Thurs. and Friday with several extended trips during 30 weeks between September and June.
  
  
• Facilities: Wilderness Awareness School's campus, which includes multiple classrooms on 40 acres of forested land adjacent to the vast wilderness of the Cascades.
  
  
• Instructors: Core instructors, Chris Laliberte, Nate Summers, Alexia Stevens, and Marcus Reynerson, as well as staff specialists and guest instructors. Biographies.
  
  
• Credit: 18 transferable undergraduate credits through Western State College.
  
  
• Enrollment: Class size ranges from 28 to 36 students. Apply.
  
  
• Tuition: $10,350. Scholarships are available. We are also now able to offer Financial Aid funding in the form of SLM Financial Career Training Loans, as well as VA tuition benefits for veterans!
  
  
• Housing: Limited on-campus housing. Many students rent homes nearby.

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