THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Spend six hours crafting a pine needle basket from start to finish with master weaver Connie Denton at the Dumke Picnic Grove in Ogden, Utah. This hands-on workshop teaches needle prep, stitch stacking, and decorative finishes using natural materials; bring a lunch and small scissors.
Spend six hours crafting a pine needle basket from start to finish with master weaver Connie Denton at the Dumke Picnic Grove in Ogden, Utah. This hands-on workshop teaches needle prep, stitch stacking, and decorative finishes using natural materials; bring a lunch and small scissors.
Book with Ogden Nature Center
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Ogden Nature Center · Ogden, Utah
At the edge of Ogden's urban grid, the Ogden Nature Center hosts a rare half-day immersion: Pine Needle Basket Workshop with Connie Denton, held in the shaded Dumke Picnic Grove pavilion in Ogden, Utah. For six focused hours you'll learn to construct a woven pine needle basket from a stone center to a finished vessel, using long-leaf pine needles, Irish waxed linen, beads, and hand-applied embellishments.
Connie Denton, a master basket weaver with 25 years of teaching and making experience, guides students through stitch placement, needle preparation, and choices for centers and finishes. The hands-on class moves deliberately—students practice stacking stitches to build vertical walls, anchor seams around a stone base, and add decorative beads. Beginners find the pace approachable; more experienced makers appreciate Connie's attention to tidy finishes and natural-dye techniques she also practices.
This workshop stands out in the Ogden area because it ties a traditional craft directly to the region's natural materials and public lands. Held in a picnic grove rather than a closed studio, the class lets you hear wind through pines while you work, and discusses which local needle types are suitable for basketry. The combination of craft education and outdoor context makes this an especially appealing add-on for visitors exploring Ogden's trails, raptor habitat, and neighborhood parks.
Plan to bring a sack lunch (a refrigerator is available), a towel for your workspace, and a small pair of sharp scissors; organizers supply needles, linen, beads, and stones. The course is open to ages 12 and up and most areas are wheelchair and stroller accessible. Expect a full six-hour session where focused manual work alternates with short demonstrations and individual feedback.
Practical notes: cancellation is allowed up to 48 hours prior for a full refund (less card fees); late cancellations are considered case by case. Class size varies, so arrive early to set up and choose a comfortable spot in the pavilion. If you're booking while visiting Ogden, this workshop pairs well with a morning on the nature center's trails followed by an evening in downtown Ogden.
For makers seeking a tactile, slow-paced outdoor craft experience, Connie's workshop is both a skill-builder and a way to leave with a one-of-a-kind keepsake. You'll walk away with a finished basket, new techniques for natural materials, and a better understanding of how local pine species translate into functional arts.
Connie also teaches natural dyeing and punch-needle rug techniques, so this class can spark further creative projects and seasonal workshops. Many students leave with plans to source sustainable pine needles and continue weaving at home; instructors can recommend local suppliers and foraging ethics. Reserve ahead—space fills for weekend dates—and come ready to slow down and make something you'll keep proudly.
easy.
6 hours.
No special fitness required; you should have comfortable seated stamina and fine motor control for handwork.
This event is for ages 12 and up.
Yes—long-leaf pine needles, Irish waxed linen, beads, stones, and most tools are supplied.
The workshop takes place at the Dumke Picnic Grove pavilion at the Ogden Nature Center in Ogden, Utah.
Cancellation 48 hours prior to the program will be honored with a full refund (less credit card processing fees); cancellations under 48 hours are reviewed case by case.
Most areas are wheelchair and stroller accessible; contact the organizer ahead of time to discuss specific needs.
Yes—many students continue work at home; instructors demonstrate techniques and suggest local sources and ethical foraging practices for materials.
Pine needle basketry draws on long-standing craft traditions; the class emphasizes both practical technique and respect for local natural materials.
Instructors discuss sustainable sourcing of pine needles and foraging ethics; students are encouraged to use responsibly gathered or purchased materials.
Ogden Nature Center is a community-focused nature education organization located in Ogden, Utah. The center provides hands-on environmental education, seasonal camps, family programs, school field trips, and volunteer opportunities designed for learners of all ages. Programs include guided pond ecology and pollination sessions for elementary students, toddler and fledgling camps for young children, weeklong and single-day camps for school-age kids, family overnight camps, and teen-focused Volunteens that emphasize citizen science and habitat restoration. Instructional experiences combine outdoor exploration with science, crafts, games, and supervised, project-based learning. School field trips and class visits focus on curriculum-aligned topics such as pond life, pollinators, indigenous land practices, and backyard birdwatching; many programs include take-home materials like field guides and bug boxes. Summer camps offer themed weeks covering survival skills, STEM experiments, natural history, and wildlife observation, while family camps provide meals and activities designed for multi-age participation. The center partners with families, educators, and community volunteers to foster environmental stewardship and practical skills. Programs are delivered by trained staff and experienced instructors in structured, supervised settings, with limited enrollment on select offerings to ensure quality and safety. The organization promotes hands-on discovery, community engagement, and conservation education through accessible programs in the Ogden area. Visitors and participants can expect active outdoor learning, structured curricula, and opportunities to contribute to local habitat projects.
Book with Ogden Nature Center