Meet the Founder

I (Collin Vassallo) grew up in the Pacific Northwest, where trees and mountains were always within reach. From an early age, God instilled in me a deep passion for the outdoors. Long before I had any formal training in survival or sustainable living, my heart was drawn to outdoor adventures. In those early years, my excitement centered around creation studies—especially birdwatching. Every weekend and school break was spent chasing birds across the country, striving to spot as many North American species as possible.

Over time, this interest expanded beyond birds into a broader study of creation: wilderness survival, homesteading, and herbalism. When I was twenty, I completed a nine-month wilderness survival program that introduced me to a wide range of primitive skills and nature-based education models. It was there that my love for bushcraft deepened, and my journey into outdoor education truly began.

In the years that followed, I pursued every opportunity for wilderness training. Alongside that, my wife and I began building a small homestead where we raised chickens, rabbits, quail, and bees. We embraced a lifestyle of sustainability—gardening, food preservation, rainwater collection, and other essential homesteading practices. These formative years confirmed that this wasn’t just a lifestyle we loved, but one we felt called to share.

At the heart of my story is what God has done to bring me to the founding of Cedarwood Outdoor School. I believe the Lord is redeeming outdoor education for His glory—using His creation as a means to stir worship, cultivate stewardship, and deepen faith. My vision for Cedarwood is to offer a place where traditional skills are learned through a biblical lens, where outdoor adventure is paired with spiritual growth, and where community is formed in the beauty of God’s world.

Degrees & Certifications

• Master’s of Divinity (The Master’s Seminary) (Pending, 2026)

• Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies (The Master’s University)

• Certified Biblical Counselor (ACBC)

• Wilderness First Responder (Remote Medical International)

• Wilderness Herbal First Aid (Herbal Medics Academy)

• Austere Emergency Medicine (Herbal Medics Academy)

• Basic and Advanced Herbalism (Herbal Medics Academy)

• Basic and Pioneer Scout Wilderness Survival (The Pathfinder School)

• Path of the Hunter (Earthwalk Northwest)

• Anake Graduate (Wilderness Awareness School)

• Licensed HAM Radio Operator (FCC)