From February to October it’s our hide teaching season. We re-route hundreds of hides each year back to our local fibresheds and into the hands of natural tanners. In every course, you are provided with an animal hide, learn to tan it naturally, and take home your textile to last a lifetime.

What to expect in a hide tanning course: you’ll arrive on the grounds with a roaring fire and/or morning beverages waiting for you. Group size is between 5-15 people: small enough that you get personalized instruction, large enough that you’ll meet some rad folks to tan alongside with. Youth and kiddos are welcome at no extra cost to share a hide with their grown-up.

• Hide tanning days are 5-6 hours long

• On Day 1, you choose a prepared but un-tanned hide + begin the first steps of tanning: scraping.

• On Day 2, you’ll soften your hide as it dries (the long day)

• On Days 3-4 you’ll put the final touches to your textile.

What to wear: wear work clothes and dress for all weather. In rainy months, wear waterproof shoes/work boots. We’ll provide you a waterproof apron for the messy parts.

What to bring: water bottle, snacks/meals, a camping chair or blanket, and a personal knife.

Locations: we teach most of our courses from the WSÁNEĆ Peninsula in North Saanich, with camping + lodging available. A few times a year we travel in BC for public + semi-private courses that will be posted below. We also travel to you for private courses; scroll down to enquire.