Each summer, many of us plan to hike the mountains and roam the woods of the Pacific Northwest.

Typically, preparing for these wilderness sojourns involves getting some fancy new hiking gear from REI, plenty of trail mix and chocolate and forgetting to bring some essential item, like say, your rain pants, the matches or a compass. This spring however, you have the opportunity to get truly ready for any adventure by taking Jeff Huntington’s Intro to Wilderness Survival through KnowledgeShare on May 18, 9:30 a.m. to about 3 p.m. Gather at the picnic shelter at Odlin County Park. Bring lunch (unless you want to eat from the bottom of the food chain!). Class fee is on a sliding scale from $10-20.

To register: call Callie North 317-8179 or Milla Prince 468-2274.

In this class you will learn such crucial survival tactics as finding water, building emergency shelters, distress signaling, making fire without matches, finding food, cultivating a positive mental attitude and navigation.

The class will comprise both lecture time and hands-on learning, getting lost and getting found and surviving in the wilds of Lopez in the middle.

Huntington will choose activities for the students to do such as building a solar still, finding North and making a survival kit.

Huntington was born and raised in Washington state and grew up enjoying its great outdoors, learning about its native geography, flora and fauna. Throughout his life he has enjoyed being an avid fisherman, hunter, gatherer of wild foods, hiker, alpine climber and an all-around nature lover.

In October 2012 he became a certified Wilderness First Responder and is now working toward a career in experiential education.