Primitive Fire & Cordage (Class #WW100, Class Size: 10, Prerequisites:
None, Tuition: $60)
Fire is as critical to mankind's existence
today as it was in the beginning. The challenge
to early man was to produce fire using only
what was available from nature, and once
learned was a skill that was always available
to them. Modern man has for the most part
lost this basic skill, and is only self-sufficient
with respect to fire to the extent that his
modern technology (i.e. matches, lighters,
etc.) is available, and doesn't fail.
In this one-day class the student will be
taught what is known as bow drill and hand
drill friction-based fire starting techniques.
The class will cover where to build a fire,
types of materials to use (for tinder, kindling,
firemaking apparatus, etc.), and how to find,
gather, and prepare the materials. Each student
will build their own firemaking set and use
it to create FIRE.
The ability to produce cordage (i.e. string,
rope, twine, etc.) using only natural materials
is an essential element in wilderness living.
Cordage uses are endless and include; lashing
for shelter building, fishing line, snare
& deadfall trigger systems, weaving fabrics
for clothing, primitive fire-starting, and
the list goes on. The student will learn
how to identify, gather, and prepare the
cordage making material, and then will be
taught methods for turning the prepared materials
into the finished cordage.
Primitive Firemaking - Beyond the Basics (Class #WW202, Class Size: 12, Prerequisites:
WW100 or equivalent, Tuition: $150)
This weekend long class is designed for primitive
skills practitioners who have already learned
the basics of firestarting with friction-based
techniques (bow drill, hand drill), and want
to take their skill set to a new level of
proficiency.
Other primitive firestarting techniques will
be introduced, to include fire saw, fire
piston, pump drill, flint & steel, and
fire crutch.
In addition to firestarting methods the course
will also cover different ways of laying
up fires, dealing with wet and difficult
conditions, how to carry fire, identification
of firemaking trees and plants, and much
more.
This is a hands-on class in the woods and
fields, where the students will be totally
immersed in all aspects of the art of primitive
firemaking, and will leave with a greater
sense of freedom, and self-reliance, in their
ability to create fire using these ancient
ways.
Join us for a fun and action-packed weekend.
This class will fill quickly so register
early.
Wild Edible Plants (Class #WW101, Class limit: 20, Prerequisites:
None, Tuition: $75)
This one-day class covers survival uses of plants as well as practical recipes for wild edible dishes. A great deal of time is spent on field trips identifying, discussing, and gathering wild edible plants. As we enjoy the biodiversity of this area, we also begin to appreciate the wondrous gifts of Creation. All students participate in several projects that include the collection, preparation, and presentation of wild foods as we learn to incorporate natural fare into our daily lives. The day's events will culminate with a meal consisting of the wild edibles, which the students have harvested and prepared. As a group the class will discuss what each of us can do to help preserve our natural world, and ensure the survival of the plants we have come to know and respect.
Ancient Tracking Skills - 1 (Class #WW102, Class limit: 10, Tuition: $100)
Whether the student is a veteran outdoors
person, or someone who has had limited opportunity
to experience nature closely, this two-day
class is designed to take them beyond their
current ability in the art and science of
tracking.
The students will learn the fundamentals
of tracking, including track identification
and analysis, animal markings and sign tracking,
and how to follow a trail in varius soil
conditions. At the end of this class the
student will no longer look at tracks as
lifeless marks upon the earth, but rather
see them as a written language that has recorded
in minute detail, information about the track
maker, and what was occurring as the tracks
were being made. To learn the art of tracking
is to experience the awesome grandure of
the natural world at a more profound level,
expanding one's awareness of the world about
them.
Ancient Tracking Skills - 2 (Class #WW201, Class limit: 10, Prerequisites:
WW102, Tuition: $150)
This three-day class continues where the
Ancient Tracking Skills 1 class ended. The
activities and exercises will provide opportunities
for the student who is serious about pursuing
the art and science of tracking, to raise
their ability to a higher level. The subjects
covered include a more in depth study of
how animals move (gaits), data collection
methods, track drawing techniques, night
tracking, sound tracking, vision systems,
track aging, and detailed interpretations
of the stories written on the landscape.
Group and individual exercises provide the
means to improve the students tracking ability,
and overall awareness. This class is a mix
of classroom lecture and field work, with
the majority of the time spent in the field.
Wilderness Survival & Nature Awareness
- Fundamentals (Class #WW103, Class limit: 20,
Prerequisites: None, Tuition: $150)
Who hasn't at some point in their life daydreamed
about running away to the wilderness, if
only for a few days, to live dependent only
your own wit and skills, and whatever could
be found in the natural world? Don't daydream
this adventure any longer, rather come and
get a sampling of what a grand experience
it can be.
This three-day class will teach the student
the fundamental skills necessary for living
in the wilderness without modern tools, and
using only what is provided by nature. The
skills that will be covered include shelter
building, water collection, food harvesting
and preparation, tools, traps and snares,
hunting weapons, camouflage, and stalking
techniques. The material is presented through
lectures, demonstrations, and "hands-on"
practice sessions.
Students will be taught how to reclaim their
ability to really see, hear, feel, and observe
nature on a deeper level. Native American
philosophies, developed by living close to
the Earth, will be incorporated throughout
the class and discussed in relationship to
the skills being presented.
Braintanning (Dry-Scrape Method) (Class #WW104, Class limit: 16,
Prerequisites: None, Tuition: $150)
From the earliest of times native peoples have used a process known as "braintanning" to turn animal hides and furs into useful articles such as clothing, footwear, carrying bags, pouches, etc. This three-day class will take the student step-by-step through what is known as the "dry-scrape" method of braintanning. The students will begin with fresh deer hides, and take them through every step of the conditioning, softening, and smoking process, with the final results being "buckskin" of exceptionally high quality which they will take home with them. Believing that it is also important to honor the spirit of the animal by ensuring that nothing is wasted, we also lecture on and demonstrate how to harvest and use all parts of the animal including bone, sinew, and rawhide.
Wild Medicinal Herbs (Class #WW107, Class limit: 10,
Prerequisites: None, Tuition: $150)
In this two-day class we honor Earth Mother
who provides botanicals for regaining and
enhancing health. Several hours of
intensive fieldwork allow for identifying
and communicating with the plant people using
visual, aural, olfactory, and harmonic senses.
We will gather needed herbs when and
where their growth and energy are focused,
incorporating respect and gratitude, seeking
always to preserve biotic stability and beauty.
Working in teams, students will devise an
herbal first-aid kit that contains freshly
prepared tea blends, tinctures, infused oils,
liniment, healing salves, and herbal tonics.
Discussion focuses on water, oil, and spirit-based
applications along with aspects of plant
preservation and conservation. While
considering natural approaches to health,
we encompass the relationship of man and
environment, both in wilderness and contemporary
settings, expanding our awareness and appreciation
of nature.
Practical Knots and Ropework (Class #WW111, Class limit: 20, Prerequisites: None, Tuition: $60)
The availability of rope (cordage) can be
an invaluable resource in everyday life,
and that is especially true in a wilderness
environment. The usefulness, or versatility
of rope however, is limited by the individual's
knowledge of knots and ropework. This one-day
course will provide the student with a base
set of knots, knowledge of when and when
not to use them, and associated ropework,
for use in an infinite number of practical
applications. In a wilderness survival setting
those applications could be related to shelter
building, fire starting, setting snares and
deadfalls, building a primitive come-along,
self-rescue, and the list goes on, but this
knowledge is everry bit as useful when applied
to everyday life activities.
This is a hands-on class where in addition
to learning how to tie the knots, students
will apply them, and appropriate ropework
techniques, to devise solutions to a number
of real life scenarios
Wilderness Navigation (Class #WW112, Class limit: 10,
Prerequisites: None, Tuition: $150)
According to the dictionary, navigation is
"the method of determining position,
course, and distance traveled". The
explorers of today have many tools available,
such as topographical maps, compass, and
GPS to aid them in their navigational efforts.
Everyone who ventures into the wilderness
should know how to properly use these tools.
They should also have a "back-up"
navigational system available, using elements
in nature, in the event the modern tools
are not available for any reason
Prior to invention of modern navigational
tools, wilderness travelers of ancient times
used information readily available in nature
to unerringly guide them. This three-day
course will focus on the use of the modern
day tools of map and compass, as well as
the ancient methods for finding one’s way
in the wilderness. This course is a mix of
classroom lectures, and daytime and nighttime
field exercises.
As part of the map and compass section the
student will learn about the different types
of compasses, how to interpret/read topographical
maps, translate 2-dimensional map images
into 3-dimensional images, orient map to
compass, determine current location, estimate
distances, take a bearing, follow a heading,
move precisely through a wilderness area,
and much, much more.
In the primitive techniques portion of the
class the student will focus on using elements
in nature to navigate. These include sun
and shadows, moon and stars, wind, trees,
plants, rocks, insects, and animals.
Flintknapping with Craig Ratzat (Class #WW999, Class limit: 12, Prerequisites:
None, Tuition: $150)
Archeological data shows that our earliest
ancestors had perfected methods of working
with stone to produce necessary and functional
tools such as arrowheads, knife blades, spear
points, etc., of exceptional quality. In
this two-day "hands-on" class the
student will be taken through the fundamentals
of flintknapping by one of the country’s
premier artisans in this field. Craig
Ratzat, from the state of Oklahoma, has 37
plus years of flintknapping experience, and
for more than 20 years has averaged no less
than 25 hours per week at his craft. Through
his years of traveling the country attending
the annual knap-in gatherings, as a demonstrator
and teacher, Craig was instrumental in the
early exchange of flintknapping techniques
among the different regional groups of practitioners.
Besides running his full-time flintknapping
related business called "Neo Lithics",
he has produced two exceptional flintknapping
instructional videos, and also teaches his
craft at the University of Oregon, and annually
at week-long classes at Glass Buttes, Oregon.
All tools, and materials will be provided
by the instructor for this class. Individuals
who have their own tools may bring it if
they choose.
Wilderness Way School is pleased to offer
this opportunity to study with one of today’s
masters in this field. This class has
only 12 seats available and fills quickly,
so register early.
Earth Wisdom (Class #WW109, Class limit: 20, Prerequisites:
None, Tuition: $250)
With the decline of traditional value systems
and guiding principles, it has become critical
to seek the wisdom of ancient cultures, and
all of Creation, to provide awareness and
intent for a meaningful life.
In this five-day class we begin a quest for
personal introspection and insight, designed
to enhance our inner vision, and reveal individual
truths along the way. Throughout the week
we will turn to the forces of the elements,
and the energy of the Earth, in ceremony,
meditation, prayer, and silence, to arrive
at a place of balance.
With Nature as interpreter, and Creation
as teacher, we can then find greater harmony
between thought and action, and renewed power
and passion on our path to introspection
and awareness