What if your landscape could capture rainfall, reduce runoff, recharge groundwater, and become more resilient during dry summers?

Join Spiral Living Center for a three-day Rainwater Harvesting Workshop from August 28-30, 2026, at Frog Farm in Cave Junction, Oregon, and discover practical techniques that can transform the way you care for your land.

Whether you have a backyard garden, a small homestead, a farm, or simply a desire to become a better steward of the watershed you call home, this immersive workshop will equip you with tools you can begin using immediately.

Learn from Nature’s Original Water Engineer

Beavers have shaped healthy watersheds for thousands of years by slowing, spreading, and sinking water into the landscape. Inspired by these natural systems, this workshop explores regenerative water harvesting techniques that help restore groundwater, reduce erosion, and build resilience against drought.

Through classroom learning, hands-on activities, and real-world implementation, participants will gain both the understanding and practical experience needed to begin creating healthier landscapes.

No previous experience is required.

Topics You’ll Explore

Throughout the weekend you’ll learn:

• Regenerative water landscape principles
• Site observation and water flow analysis
• Rainwater catchment tank system design
• Rain gardens, bioswales, and ponds
• Practical techniques for increasing drought resilience
• Hands-on implementation of real projects

Meet Your Instructor

The workshop is led by Lion Waxman, an ecological landscape designer, contractor, and educator with a passion for regenerative water systems that restore healthy watersheds.

Lion is a certified Permaculture Designer and Teacher and holds an M.A. in Ecological Landscape Design. As founder and principal of Good Earth Design Co., he has spent the past seven years designing and implementing regenerative farms and landscapes throughout Southern Oregon. He lives outside of Talent, Oregon, on the traditional lands of the Latgawa people.

His approachable teaching style combines ecological principles with practical solutions that participants can adapt to properties of every size.

Workshop Details

Dates

• Friday, August 28: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
• Saturday, August 29: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Sunday, August 30: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Location
Frog Farm
9044 Takilma Road
Cave Junction, Oregon

Tuition
Sliding Scale: $200-$300

Scholarships and work-trade opportunities are available, and camping is available onsite.

Register Today

Class size is limited, and pre-registration is required.

Reserve your spot by completing the registration form:

https://forms.gle/CKREebM2aE5zH5Bq8

By learning to slow, spread, and store water where it falls, you’ll leave with practical skills that benefit your garden, your property, your community, and the watershed we all share.

Whether you’re hiking remote trails, working outdoors, homesteading, or simply want to be better prepared for emergencies, knowing what to do when help is far away can make all the difference.

From August 14 through 16, 2026, Spiral Living Center is offering a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification course at Frog Farm in Cave Junction, Oregon. This immersive 16-hour training provides practical, hands-on instruction for responding confidently to medical emergencies when professional care isn’t immediately available.

Course Schedule

• Friday, August 14: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
• Saturday, August 15: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Sunday, August 16: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Learn to Think Beyond the First Aid Kit

Unlike traditional first aid courses that focus on urban emergencies, Wilderness First Aid teaches you how to assess situations, improvise with limited resources, and make sound decisions in remote environments.

Throughout the weekend, classroom instruction is paired with realistic scenarios that help students understand not just what to do, but why they’re doing it.

Topics include:

• Preventing and recognizing wilderness hazards
• Assessing injuries and medical emergencies
• Understanding how the body’s systems respond to trauma and illness
• Stabilizing patients until advanced care is available
• Improvising treatments with available materials
• Preparing for disasters when emergency services may be delayed or overwhelmed

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, volunteer, community member, or someone interested in emergency preparedness, this course builds practical skills you can use for years to come.

National Certification

Participants who successfully complete the course will receive Wilderness First Aid certification through the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR), valid for two years.

Certification includes:

• Official certification card
• Certificate
• NASAR patch

To earn certification, participants must attend the entire course and demonstrate required skills during practice sessions.

A copy of Wilderness First Aid, 3rd Edition by Steve Donelan is required and available for an additional $30.

Meet the Instructor

Instructor Laurel Peña (she/her) first became certified as a Wilderness EMT 18 years ago while living in the remote Klamath River region of Karuk Ancestral Territory. Today she serves as a Paramedic with Happy Camp Volunteer Ambulance and as a Medical Assistant for the Karuk Community Health Clinic.

As a Clinical Herbalist, Laurel also integrates herbal knowledge into her teaching when appropriate, helping students gain a deeper understanding of how the human body functions and how thoughtful care can make a meaningful difference in emergency situations.

Her teaching style emphasizes understanding, confidence, and practical problem-solving rather than memorization.

Reserve Your Spot

Space is limited for this certification course. Please secure your place by August 1, 2026, by submitting your payment using one of the following methods:

• Check: Payable to Spiral Living Center and mailed to:
  Spiral Living Center
  9044 Takilma Road
  Cave Junction, OR 97523
• Venmo
• Cash: Contact us to arrange a time to drop off your payment.
• PayPal: Send your payment to spiral@spiralliving.org

The course is offered on a sliding scale of $200 to $300, with three scholarships available for participants ages 16 to 18. Camping and meals are also available for an additional fee.

We look forward to helping you build the confidence and skills to respond when emergencies happen far from help..

Build Your Survival Skill Set

What if things got weird?

Would you know how to repair a flat tire, preserve food, improve your soil, communicate during an emergency, mend clothing, provide first aid, or support your neighbors during a crisis?

On Saturday, June 13, the Illinois Valley community is invited to gather at Spiral Living Center for Skillshare 2026, a day of hands-on learning, practical skills, creativity, resilience, and connection.

This free community event brings together local teachers, makers, growers, healers, and lifelong learners to share knowledge that helps us become more capable, connected, and resilient.

Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: 9044 Takilma Road, Cave Junction, OR

Please leave dogs at home.

---

Schedule of Classes

Class Schedule

10:00 AM

Chainsaw Maintenance

Instructor: Joker

Learn the fundamentals of chainsaw maintenance and care, including cleaning, chain sharpening, routine maintenance, troubleshooting common issues, and essential safety considerations.

Women’s Health

Instructor: Sharon Guest

A practical discussion of women’s health and wellness, covering common concerns, self-care strategies, and resources to support lifelong wellbeing.

Effective Stretching

Instructor: Rachel Goodman

Learn simple stretching techniques to improve flexibility, mobility, and body awareness while reducing tension and supporting overall wellness.

Snail You Want In Your Garden – Class Cancelled

---

10:30 AM

Fire!

Instructors: Sol & Shu

An introduction to basic fire science and suppression followed by a community roundtable discussion.

---

11:00 AM

Home Burial Workshop

Instructor: Angela Franklin

An educational overview of home burial practices, legal considerations, family involvement, and end-of-life options.

Getting Rid of the Gremlins Within

Instructor: Karen Beesley

Explore practical tools for recognizing and overcoming limiting habits, beliefs, and thought patterns.

Radio Communications

Instructors: Judy & Craig Hinkle

Learn the basics of two-way radio communication, emergency preparedness, and how radio systems can help families and communities stay connected.

---

1:00 PM

Co-Creating with Nature & Community

Instructor: Eleyah Knight

Explore ways to build meaningful connections with nature and one another through hands-on activities, creative expression, and community-centered learning.

Sewing & Mending

Instructor: Denise Cardinal

Learn practical sewing and mending techniques that help extend the life of clothing and household items.

Beading Class

Instructor: Nicki

Learn basic beading techniques while creating a simple project to take home.

Beginning Crochet & Knitting

Instructor: Christine Gardiner

Learn the basics of crochet and knitting in this beginner-friendly introduction to fiber arts.

Beading: Peyote Stitch

Instructor: Sunshine

Learn the fundamentals of Peyote stitch beadwork while creating a beautiful handmade project.

Supply Fee: $20 (Please bring cash.)

---

2:00 PM

Basic Car Maintenance

Instructor: Levi

Learn practical vehicle readiness skills including pre-drive inspections, roadside tools and supplies, safely changing a flat tire, emergency preparedness, and common troubleshooting.

Finding Our Soil-Mates

Instructor: Maayan

Discover the living world beneath our feet and learn how healthy soil supports thriving gardens, resilient ecosystems, and abundant harvests.

Hand Sewing & Repair

Instructor: Shay

Learn essential hand-sewing skills for repairing clothing, gear, and household items.

---

2:30 PM

Interpersonal Communication

Instructor: Casey

Explore communication skills that strengthen relationships, improve understanding, and help navigate difficult conversations with confidence and respect.

---

3:00 PM

Found Object Wind Chimes

Instructor: Annette

Transform everyday materials and found objects into unique wind chimes while exploring creativity, upcycling, and artistic expression.

Making Healthy Food Fast – Class cancelled

Stop the Bleed

Instructor: Laurel Pena

Gain lifesaving skills for responding to severe bleeding emergencies until professional help arrives.

---

3:30 PM

Psychological First Aid

Instructor: Shannon

Learn practical strategies for providing emotional support during times of crisis, stress, or trauma.

---

4:00 PM

Gratitude Song Circle

Instructor: Veronica

Gather in community to share songs, stories, and reflections centered on gratitude, connection, and the joy of making music together.

Heart of a Lion

Instructor: Annabella

In this workshop, participants will explore and strengthen their ability to lead with love, even in challenging circumstances. Bella Blu, musical yoga practitioner and founder of Bluessence, will introduce practices that build resilience, creativity, and compassion, including breathwork, contemplation, mind-body awareness, and scenario-based exercises. Participants will learn tools for responding to adversity with greater mindfulness, clarity, and connection.

 

Schedule updated June 12, 2026. Class times and offerings are subject to change as additional instructors are confirmed.

---

Volunteers & Sponsors Still Needed

Skillshare 2026 is made possible through community support and participation.

We are still seeking:

• Event-day volunteers
• Community sponsors
• Raffle prize donations
• General event support

Interested in helping?

programs@spiralliving.org

---

Because No One Survives Alone

Skillshare 2026 is about sharing knowledge, building resilience, and strengthening community connections. Whether you’re coming to learn, teach, volunteer, or simply spend the day with neighbors, we hope you’ll join us.