Gain Basic Survival Skills for Wilderness & Urban Settings at the Library
Posted on July 9, 2025 at 6:00 am
By Erin Dodge
Whether you’re preparing for the unexpected on your outdoor adventures or you’re concerned about the uncertainty of the grid, food supply chain, and civil unrest, SCLD’s upcoming survival classes may be for you.
Presenter Charlie Bouck has 20 years of experience as a U.S. Air Force Survival Instructor. Charlie is the owner of Herbal Expeditions, focusing on survival training, guided foraging, and holistic wellness, with classes for all ages and experience levels.
Below, you can find out more about the upcoming introductory classes at SCLD libraries and discover more about Charlie as he answers questions about his background and how he helps people in the region strengthen their survival skills. There are also several digital booklists about preparing for emergencies and exploring the outdoors.
Upcoming Survival Classes
Introduction to Wilderness Survival in the Inland Northwest
For adults
Whether you’re preparing for the unexpected on an outdoors trip or you’re concerned about the uncertainty of the grid, food supply chain, and civil unrest, this class is for you. Gain insights on ways to bolster your outdoor skills and survivability in our local wilds. This quick class shares how you can meet the five basic needs of sustaining your life outdoors and in all the challenging weather conditions that the Inland Northwest environment may present.
OTIS ORCHARDS
Tuesday, Aug 5, 6:30–7:30pm | REGISTER
CHENEY
Wednesday, Aug 13, 6:30–7:30pm | REGISTER
NORTH SPOKANE
Thursday, Sep 18, 6:30–7:30pm | REGISTER
Introduction to Urban Survival
For adults
Survival in an urban setting presents many challenges, such as procuring food and water, maintaining human temperatures at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring personal safety and security, and dealing with inherently unsanitary conditions. You learn some of these basic urban survival techniques in this class from an instructor who has survived lengthy stays on the streets of many urban settings.
ARGONNE
Tuesday, Aug 26, 6:30–7:30pm | REGISTER
SPOKANE VALLEY
Wednesday, Sep 24, 6:30–7:30pm | REGISTER
Q&A with Charlie Bouck
Erin: Would you share a little about your background and what led you to teach survival skills for wilderness and urban locales?
Charlie: When I retired from the USAF as a 20-year Survival Instructor, I knew that my experience and skillset could be of value to civilian outdoorsy people who would like to hone their survival skills and those who recognize that we are living in economically and socially uncertain times. I have a passion for helping people who want to learn about outdoor skills, as well as for aiding friends, family, and clients in their sustainability efforts.
Erin: What are some outdoor skills you focus on when teaching wilderness survival?
Charlie: I focus on teaching people how to meet their five basic needs: health, personal protection, sustenance, travel, and signaling for rescue. Some clients may already be skilled in one or more of these areas, wherein I would help them to buff up on their weaker areas. It is so rewarding to me when I see clients strengthen their survival skills in a semi-controlled outdoor learning environment and when they are able to thrive, despite facing natural or perceived obstacles, difficulties, and discomfort.
Erin: What is something that surprises most people about urban survival skills?
Charlie: Although some people are more familiar with navigating and finding resources in a city scape than they are in the wilderness or vice versa, the same survival techniques apply, just with a few modifications in mindset and using a city’s resources to meet your five basic needs. Threats to your well-being may just take a different form, and our response to them must adapt accordingly.
Erin: Another aspect of your work is teaching sustainability. What areas of sustainability do you cover in your classes?
Charlie: One focus of my instruction encompasses how to stay healthy when there are no doctors available. My clients learn what plants they can eat and how to use them for effective medicine, whether they are herbs that are wild-foraged or growing in city lots. Western medicine does have its place. However, most of our health concerns can be addressed through locally procured herbs and sustainable living techniques.
Books to Check Out
For readers who enjoy digital reads, you can find several librarian-curated collections on OverDrive and Libby on the topics of preparedness and outdoor exploration.
Erin Dodge is the communication specialist for SCLD, writing and editing content for the library’s website as well as for print media. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to yard sales and thrift stores, reading, playing online games, and experiencing the natural and manmade wonders of the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Tags: adults, classes, survival, urban, wilderness
