Lion
Bear Creek Felting Safari VI
Two Safari Weeks in 2027
August 4–11, 2027
September 1–8, 2027
Fort Ransom, North Dakota
For the first time ever, Bear Creek Felting Safari will be offered twice in one year!
Both 2027 Safaris will feature the same advanced project — a beautiful, lifelike needle felted lion.
For seven unforgettable days, we’ll gather in Fort Ransom to felt, learn, laugh, eat incredible food, visit the farm, and enjoy the friendships that have become such an important part of the Bear Creek Felting Safari.
Each Safari is limited to just 10 participants, so you can choose the week that works best for you.
A New Home for Safari VI
I’m especially excited about our workshop location for 2027!
We’ll be spending our days together at the Bear Creek Hall, a beautiful historic building located right behind the Bear Creek Felting shop in Fort Ransom.
The hall is filled with windows and natural light, and air conditioning is being added for our retreats. I think it is going to be such a wonderful place to gather around the tables and create together.
And being right behind the shop means Bear Creek Felting will be only a few steps away throughout the week!
What to Expect:
Our main project for Safari VI will be a lifelike lion sculpture.
This will be an advanced project designed to stretch your sculpting skills as we work through the lion together from the inside out.
Teresa will guide you through each stage, including:
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Building a strong, firm wool sculpture
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Creating accurate proportions and anatomy
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Sculpting the face and expression
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Building the mane
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Adding color, texture and realistic finishing details
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Bringing personality and life to your finished lion
But Safari has never been only about the sculpture.
It’s seven days of creating side by side, sharing ideas and stories, celebrating each other’s progress, eating wonderful meals together and forming friendships with people who understand why spending an entire week poking wool with a needle sounds like a fantastic vacation.
The Heart of the Safari
There’s something truly special that happens when a group of creative souls gathers around tables filled with wool, laughter and imagination.
We arrive with a shared love of felting, but by the end of the week we’ve created much more than a sculpture.
We’ve shared meals, stories, challenges, victories and plenty of laughter.
Every Safari becomes its own little family.
Whether this will be your first Safari or your sixth, you’ll be part of a creative community that keeps growing — one sculpture and one friendship at a time.
Hear From Past Participants
Watch what past Safari guests have to say about their experience—how much they learned, laughed, and loved being part of something truly special.👉
When you join us in Fort Ransom, you’re not just signing up for a class—you’re joining a community that keeps growing with each Safari.
The Food — A Feast for the Senses!
At every Felting Safari, the meals are almost as memorable as the felting!
Chef Libbie prepares fresh homemade meals throughout the week, giving us time to sit down together, visit and refuel before heading back to our lions.
Meals are included with every Safari package.
If you have dietary restrictions or food allergies, you’ll have an opportunity to let us know before the retreat so we can accommodate your needs whenever possible.
Good food, great company, and a table full of laughter — the perfect ingredients for creativity.
Lodging & Retreat Details
You can choose to make your Safari completely all-inclusive by staying at the Rockstad River Inn, or arrange your own lodging and choose the Workshop & Meals package.
Rockstad River Inn
The Rockstad River Inn is our primary Safari lodging in Fort Ransom and is just a short distance from the workshop.
A limited number of rooms are available for each Safari.
Private Room
Enjoy your own room at the Rockstad River Inn for all seven nights of the retreat.
Shared Room for Two
Two attendees can share one room at the Rockstad River Inn. This is a great option for friends or family members attending together.
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Each room has a private bathroom
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Please note: The Inn is not Handicap accessible — some rooms are located up a spiral staircase or in the lower level
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No pets allowed
Prefer to Find Your Own Lodging?
Choose the Workshop & Meals package and make your own overnight arrangements.
Other lodging possibilities in the Fort Ransom area include cabins and yurts at Fort Ransom State Park and area vacation rentals.
You’ll find complete package prices and registration options in the Pricing & Registration section below.
This quiet modernized home with rustic charm of yesteryear is ready for your getaway. There are 2 bedroom and 2.5 bathrooms situated on three levels with sleeping for 6. The master bedroom is located in the basement and hosts a king size bed with attached bathroom. The main floor hosts the kitchen, dining, living and half bath. The living room sofa makes into a queen size bed. The upstairs has one bedroom with a queen size bed and deluxe bathroom with jetted tub and Keurig coffee maker. Airbnb
Red’s Lodge
Englevale, ND
On Airbnb but call to book for lower rates – 701-680-0917
🌲 Fort Ransom State Park Lodging (2 miles away)
If you’d like a little more solitude, the State Park offers several cozy, full-service stays nestled among trees and trails. A vehicle is required for transport.
Pederson & Redetzke Yurts – $135–150/night
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Each sleeps six (two bedrooms, loft, pullout couch)
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Full kitchen, bathroom, heat, and A/C
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No pets
Bjone House – $135–150/night
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Restored 1879 pioneer home overlooking the Sheyenne River
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Three queen bedrooms, full kitchen, and deck
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Sleeps six comfortably
Percheron Wagon – $100–115/night
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Unique wagon-style stay with king bed and twin bunks
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Heat, A/C, fridge, and microwave
Nils Olson Cabin – $45/night
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Simple one-room cabin for two
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Futon, small fridge, recliner
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Seasonal availability
🪶 Please Note:
All State Park lodging requires guests to bring their own bedding and towels.
Light cleaning (sweeping and trash removal) is expected before checkout.
No smoking or pets are allowed in any units.
2027 Bear Creek Felting Safari — Pricing & Payment Setup
Each package includes seven days of instruction with Teresa, all felting materials, Chef Libbie’s delicious meals, and an unforgettable week of creativity and connection in beautiful Fort Ransom.
Prices are the same for both 2027 Lion Safaris.
First choose the package that works best for you, then reserve your spot for your preferred week.
All-Inclusive Package
Private Room – One Guest- 7 nights, private room
- All meals
- Instruction + materials
- $400 Deposit
- Balance: $1,350
All-inclusive Package
Shared Room for Two- 7 nights, shared room
- All meals for two
- Instruction + materials for two
- $700 deposit
- Balance $2,150
Workshop & Meals Only
Find Your Own Lodging- Find your own lodging
- All meals
- Instruction + materials
- $250 deposit
- Balance: $850
Choose Your Safari Week
August 4–11, 2027
10 participants maximum
September 1–8, 2027
10 participants maximum
Both Weeks Full?
With only 10 participants in each Safari, some package options may fill quickly.
If the week or lodging option you want is unavailable, please join the Lion Safari waitlist. If a space becomes available, I’ll contact those on the waitlist.
JOIN THE LION SAFARI WAITLIST
Come for the felting. Stay for the friendship.
Spend a week in beautiful Fort Ransom, challenge yourself with an incredible lion sculpture, eat wonderful food and experience the kind of creative friendships that make it difficult to say goodbye when Safari ends.
Choose your week and join us for Bear Creek Felting Safari VI!
Getting Here
Most guests traveling by air fly into Hector International Airport in Fargo, North Dakota, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from Fort Ransom.
Renting a car is recommended if you would like the freedom to explore the Sheyenne River Valley during your stay.
Optional airport transportation may also be arranged in advance.
Airport pickup or drop-off: $85 per person, one way.
After registration, you’ll receive additional retreat and travel information.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
A non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot for the 2026 Felting Safari.
The remaining balance is due 30 days before the retreat begins.
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Cancellations made 30 days or more before the retreat will receive a refund of any amount paid beyond the deposit.
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Cancellations made within 30 days of the start date are not eligible for a refund.
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If Bear Creek Felting must cancel due to low enrollment or an unforeseen event, participants will receive a full refund of all money paid.
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You may transfer your registration to another person by emailing teresa@bearcreekfelting.com.
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We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment in case of illness, emergencies, or travel delays.
View full Terms & Conditions →
Felting Safari Frequently Asked Questions
Can beginners attend the Felting Safari?
Yes! I’ve had beginners attend past Safaris, and they did just fine. For the best experience, I recommend completing one or two needle felting kits or three-dimensional projects before you arrive. A little practice will help you become familiar with the tools and how wool takes shape.
Joining the Bear Creek Needle Felting Academy is an even better way to prepare. You can follow my step-by-step videos, practice at your own pace, and ask questions along the way.
What if I don’t think I’m good enough to come?
You don’t need to arrive knowing how to make a lion—or feeling confident that you can! That’s what I’m here to help you with.
It’s easy to look at a finished sculpture and feel intimidated, but we’ll build it together, one manageable step at a time. Needle felting is forgiving, and mistakes can be fixed. I’ll show you how to make adjustments and help you with proportions, sizing, and troubleshooting throughout the project.
Bring your willingness to learn, your patience, and a little curiosity. Your skills will grow as we work!
How intense is the Safari?
The Safari is seven days of focused needle felting. We’ll spend many hours bringing our lions to life, so come prepared for plenty of sitting, repetitive handwork, and concentration.
There’s also plenty of conversation, laughter, and time to enjoy being together. You can take breaks when you need them. You don’t need to be an expert—just understand that this is an immersive felting experience and a detailed project.
Will I receive step-by-step instruction?
Absolutely! I’ll guide you through the project step by step, explaining how to shape each part, size it, and bring everything together. You’ll receive demonstrations and individual help along the way.
If something doesn’t look quite right, we’ll figure out why and work through it together. Learning how to fix and adjust your work is part of the experience.
I’d love to come, but I don’t have any friends who needle felt. Should I come alone?
Absolutely! Many people come to the Safari alone, so you won’t be the only one arriving without a friend. Our shared love of needle felting makes it easy to connect, and there’s plenty of time to get to know one another as we create together.
Many lasting friendships have started at past Safaris. You may arrive on your own and leave with new friends who will join you again in the following years!
How can I tell whether the Safari is right for me?
If you’re excited about making a lion, enjoy learning, and like the idea of spending a week immersed in a creative project, the Safari may be a wonderful fit.
If you’re unsure, reach out! Tell me a little about your experience and any concerns you have. I’m happy to help you feel prepared and comfortable about coming.
I’m an experienced needle felter and could probably make a lion on my own. What would I get out of the Safari?
The Safari gives you seven days to immerse yourself in a project you love, with dedicated creative time and a group of people who share your enthusiasm for needle felting.
You’ll see how I approach shaping, proportions, and details, exchange ideas with other felters, and have my guidance whenever you want another set of eyes or help working through a tricky spot. Even experienced felters can discover a different approach or a small adjustment that makes their work easier.
And beyond the lion, there’s the pleasure of creating together—the conversations, laughter, shared meals, and friendships that bring so many people back year after year.
