Parks and Rec

Wild Tips to Thrive in the Great Outdoors

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Make nature your classroom this summer—attend Wilderness Survival School at San Dieguito County Park. San Diego County Park rangers will teach basic awareness and safety skills during this four-part workshop, held select Sundays this summer from 2 to 3 p.m.

Enhance your outdoor experiences with lessons on local wildlife and wilderness essentials. Rangers will demonstrate useful skills you can take with you on your next trail or campground adventure.

The free classes are all hands-on, so dress and be ready to get a little dirty. They are open to adventurers of all ages.

Knots and Know-How

Learn to tie up to 12 knots and hitches in the first workshop of the series. You’ll learn the right twists for securing loads, setting up shelters, lassoing, climbing and more. Rope will be provided. This class will be offered July 2 and August 6 at 2 p.m.

Wilderness Essentials

Planning is half the battle! Gain tips that will keep you safe on topics from nutrition and hydration to navigation, sun protection, first aid and emergency communications. Then, get the skinny on what to wear and how to deal with both the expected and unexpected on day trips and extended outings. This class will be offered July 9 and August 13 at 2 p.m.

Where’s Water?

Water is important for many reasons, and it can be scarce in the summer months. Rangers will talk about purification versus filtration and share creative ways to find and “make” hidden water. This class will be offered July 16 and August 20 at 2 p.m.

Gimme Shelter

Learn how to build a shelter and where to set up camp in this workshop. Rangers will share knowledge on how to detect environmental dangers, strategies for being found if you’re lost, the importance of improvisation, local materials that work, how to make fire, and hands-on shelter-building practices. This class will be offered July 23 and August 27 at 2 p.m.

San Dieguito County Park is located at 1628 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Del Mar. Parking is $3. For more information, contact the park at 858-755-2386.

Michelle Mowad is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office. Contact