Live at the Wolf Den - Saturday December 5th

Come and enjoy an evening of original piano-folk and guitar songs with singer song writter Kate Jones.

Kate is a solo piano-folk artist who began her song writing career at the age of fourteen. Kate's third and most recent cd, Her Seasons, was released in December 2008. The album is a collection of guitar and piano songs that explore the rhythmic, brave journey of a relationship through its cycle of bliss, traum, and renewal. Kate's music is lyrical and heart-felt, and her sweet angelic voice penetrates to the heart of her listeners. Her sensitive piano and guitar playing coupled with her honest vocal emotionality bring a sense of calmness to her listeners. Kate's lyrics are thoughtful and rich, with the theme of nature recurring throughout. Also a talented painter and drawer, Kate sets out original art pieces to decorate her stage.
Blessed with an angelic voice and a love of performing, Kate began her music career at the age of fifteen by playing at local talent shows and cofeee houses in Newmarket, Ontario. She has continued to perform locally in Ontario as well as in Quebec, and internationall in France and Germany.

Kate has several shows and performances lined up for 2009, including the annual ASK Soiree in King City, Renees Cafe in South River, The Wolf Den Hostel in Oxtongue Lake, the Round House in Caledon, and the Lyric Pond Festival in Honeywood, Ontario. She is also currently working on her next cd, to be released in early 2010.
Please visit http://www.katejones.ca/ for updates and information about upcoming performances.
Make sure to reseve your spot for this lovely evening at The Wolf Den

Is anyone out there or have you all gone into hibernation yet?!

Well don’t go to sleep yet! With winter upon us that does not mean that we nod off here at the Wolf Den. Throughout the winter months we have a number of events and programs running.

“Gifts from Your Own Hands and an Evening with Kate Jones”
December 4-6, 2009
Coming up quickly is your opportunity to join us for a festive craft making weekend here at the Wolf Den. We will be running 4 workshops on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to help get you started on some homemade gifts. Workshops will include beading, wreath making, felting and potato stamp card making. Fees for each session will only amount to material costs and each is optional attendance. You may join a free Saturday morning guided walk before sessions begin. Saturday night we have a special guest, Singer Song writer Kate Jones, who will perform a by donation concert in our cozy lounge.
Accommodation rates for that weekend will be $25/person per night.
For more information call 1-866-271-9336 or email wden@wolfdenbunkhouse.com.

Chris Gilmour, founder of Earth Mentorship, has a number of programs running here through the winter and into the spring.

“At Home in Your Body, at Home in Nature”
Exact dates to be determined but to fall late February or early March.
This program intertwines yoga and a deeper connection to your body with wilderness awareness and a deeper connection to the natural world.

“A Retreat for Teachers, Parents and Other Educators.”
March 14-17, 2010
This course offers the opportunity to explore and learn more about the natural world through tracking, natural crafts, other naturalist studies while also learning how to mentor others in these ways. It is also a chance to deepen your connection with the natural world.

“Family Awareness & Nature Skills Retreat”
March 17- 20, 2010
A chance for the whole family to spend time learning more about the natural world through tracking, survival skills, naturalist studies, camp fires, storytelling and crafts.
For more information please see Chris’ website www.earthmentorhip.com or call him at 705-788-1210.


As the Holiday Season approaches we still have room for you and your family and/or friends join us. What better way to spend the festive season than in beautiful Algonquin Park!
Winter days of cross country skiing and snowshoeing are popular here in Algonquin Park and our weekends are booking quickly. Call or email us soon to ensure you have a chance to enjoy some of the beauty of the winter season in Algonquin. Weekends that still have space available are: all weekends in December, January 16/17 and any weekend including and after March 13-14. Weekdays throughout the winter are available and a perfect time to enjoy the peace of the Park.

Family Wilderness Skills Weekend

Bring the whole family and join us at the Wolf Den for a weekend of wilderness and nature exploration. We will lean about the natural world first hand through the practice of ancient wilderness living skills
including: wilderness crafts, survival skills, and educational wilderness games.

When: The weekend of Nov 7 & 8, 2009. We will start at 10am Saturday and go till 4:30pm Sunday

Location: Wolf Den Bunkhouse, Oxtongue, ON. Hwy 60, 8 minutes west of Algonquin Park.

Accommodation: Each family will have their own room in a beautiful log cabin in the woods. All bedding material is provided.

Food: We will provide a pizza dinner Saturday night and snacks. Your family can cook lunch and dinner in the Wolf Dens communal kitchen.

Price: $120/person, $340 for a family of 3, $380 for a family of 4, $420 for a family of 5, 5 yrs old and under free.

Includes: 1 night accomodation at the Wolf Den, Saturday night dinner, all materials, and 2 mentors.

For more information or to reserve your spot please contact Chris at 705-788-1210 or email him at chris@earthmentorship.com

At Home in Your Body, At Home in the Nature

This multi day retreat bridges two ancient paths, yoga and wilderness awareness. Join us for morning and evening yoga, intentional breath and meditation, interpretive nature walks, wilderness living skill workshops, nature crafts, and a chance to deepen your connection to the natural world, your understanding of your own body, and how the 2 fit together.

Dates: Oct 22 - 25, 2009 & Feb 25 - 28, 2010

Times: Program starts with dinner at 6pm on Thursday and will finish around 4pm the Sunday.

Location: Wolf Den Bunkhouse, Oxtongue, ON, 8 min West of Algonquin Park. Each participant will sleep in a beautful log cabin.

Cost: $380/person or $720 for 2
Includes: 3 nights accomadation, healthy food, snacks, materials, yoga and naturalist mentoring.

For more info or to reserve your spot please contact Chris at 705-788-1210 or email him at chris@earthmentorship.com

Algonquin Outfitters - My Ultimate Canoe Trip Contest

Our Friends and Neighbors over at Algonquin Outfitters are running the following contest:

Contest runs from June 24th until Sept 30th 2009
To celebrate the launch of our new website, Algonquin Outfitters and several key partners have came together to present you with the "My Ultimate Canoe Trip Contest".
Enter the contest by first visiting one of the locations listed below where you will need to find our Logo or obtain an access code (Cavalcade foto source) to be able to enter the contest. Each location will provide you a way that you can enter the contest, thus presenting you with multiple chances to enter the contest, enter more often to increase your chances of winning.
The Ultimate Prize:
An Ultimate Canoe Trip Adventure in Algonquin Park, for two people over three days, departing from our Oxtongue Lake outfitting base, near Algonquin Park's west gate, the trip must be taken in the summer or fall of 2010.
At the end of the trip, you will be presented with a new 2010 Swift Gold Fusion Kipawa canoe, 2 paddles, 2 PFD's and a safety kit. (Canoe provided by Swift Canoe & Kayak).
An Olympus Stylus Touch-6000, Waterproof digital camera, with case, floating strap and 2gb memory card, provided by Cavalcade Foto Source, Huntsville.
Ballistic Canoe Pack, Food Barren with Harness and Yoke Pad provided by Hooligan Gear.
Mountain Pass, 3 person dome tent provided by Eureka.
Two self-inflating air mattresses provided by Therm-a-rest.
LED head lamp for hands free light, provided by Petzl.
Dry Bags to keep your gear dry, provided by Sea to Summit.
We will be adding a few more items like Sleeping Bags, Camp Stove and a Camping Pots set.
Location
Find
Frequency
Huntsville Forester, Newspaper
Our Logo in the Paper
Weekly (15x)
Bracebridge Examiner, Newspaper
Our Logo in the Paper
Weekly (15x)
Swift Canoe & Kayak, Website
Our Logo in Website
Once
Cavalcade Foto Source, Huntsville
Ask for an Entry Code, in the store
Monthly (4x)
Algonquin Adventures, Website
Our Logo in Website
Once
Algonquin Outfitters, Website
Our Logo in Website
Once
AO Boatwerks, Website
Our Logo in Website
Once
* The above list presents you with 38 chances to enter the contest.
The Draw
A winner will be drawn on Oct 5th 2009.The contest winner will be announced on this webpage and in the Huntsville Forester before the end of October 2009. Winners must book their Ultimate Canoe Trip before Sept 1st 2010. If you can not book the trip before Sept 1st 2010 then a new winner will be announced from the remaining entries. No purchase necessary. Open to persons 18+ years of age.
First visit one or more of the locations above.
ENTER CONTEST

Kayak lessons at The Wolf Den

Mondays and Tuesdays June - September

SK1 Flatwater Kayak Instruction - ORCKA and Paddle Canada Certified Instructor James Seabrook

Courses and Costs
Beginner - Intermediate - Advanced Levels

At the Wolf Den location - By Appointment
1 Person $120
2 Per. $110 Each
3 Per. $100 Each
4 Per. $90 Each
5 Per. $80 Each

Includes all paddling, safety equipment and kayaks


We meet your needs:
Every aspect of our kayaking school is a reflection of our commitment to put the student's needs first. No other kayak school combines the best in: ideal course locations, class size limits, instructor experience, and equipment selection.
Our kayaking lessons are designed to maximize your learning. We provide you with a kayak, paddle, PFD, spray skirt and all necessary safety equipment.

For more info or reservations please contact James at
416 576-7332
twocre8fun@hotmail.com

Family Wilderness Awareness & Skills Retreat - July 26 - 29

- Yoga, Survival, Birds, Trees, Plants, Stories, Fire, Crafts, Family -

An exciting retreat to invigorate our connection with nature and to
inspire exciting new ways for us to nurture family relationships. Join
Chris Gilmour of Earth Mentorship Programs & Wendy Martin of Sacred
Breath Yoga for 3 days of family fun, relaxation, and education near
Algonquin Park.

*Activities include:*

: sensory awareness games
: family and team building activities
: nature crafts: guided nature hikes
: learning about local wildlife, trees, and plants

: interpreting the sounds and signs of the forest

: music and stories around the camp fire

: wilderness survival skills
: yoga activities to explore balance, strength, the power of breath and
finesse vs. force
: empowerment and role playing games for kids that allow their own
unique voice to be spoken and heard.
: simple, quick and effective De-stress exercises, that connect body,
mind and breath

: free time to explore and relax

The program will begin with dinner Sunday night followed by an activity.
Monday and Tuesday will each have 3, 1-3 hour sessions: morning,
afternoon, and evening, with free time in-between. Some sessions we will
have separate youth and adult programming and in some we will all work
together. We will be done by 12 noon Wednesday.

When: July 26 - 29, 2009. We will meet for a 5pm dinner Sunday night and
finish around noon on Wed.

*Location:* Wolf Den Bunkhouse, Oxtongue, ON. Hwy 60, 8 minutes west of
Algonquin Park.

*Accommodation:* Each family will have their own room in a beautiful log
cabin in the woods. All bedding material is provided.

*Food:* We will provide dinner Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Participants
bring and prepare their own breakfast and lunch in the Wolf Dens
communal kitchen. All cooking utensils, stoves, and refrigerators are
provided.

*Price:* $265/person, includes, accommodation, 3 dinners, 2 instructors,
all course materials.

Please contact Chris at chris@earthmentorship.com for more info or to reserve

Earth Based Mentoring - A Retreat for Teachers & Other Educators - August 3-6 at The Wolf Den

This retreat will offer you a chance to rejuvenate in nature’s beauty,
deepening your connection and understanding of the natural world, while
exploring some of the many uses of nature’s gifts. Come learn new skills
to bring back to the classroom or integrate into your life outside of work.

Activities Include:

- Wildlife Tracking and Studies

- Edible and Medicinal Plants

- Hiking and Camp Fires

- Basket and Container Making

- Wilderness Awareness Games/Activities

- Story Telling

- Wilderness Crafts with Natural Materials

- Intro to Earth Based Mentoring (coyote mentoring)

- Good Food & Good Fun

- And Much Much More

When: Aug 3 - 6, 2009. We will meet at the Wolf Den Bunkhouse
<http://www.wolfdenbunkhouse.com/> for a 6pm dinner Monday night and
finish around 2pm Thursday.

Where: Wolf Den Bunkhouse, Oxtongue, ON, 8 min West of Algonquin Park.
Each participant will sleep in a beautful log cabin.

Food: We will provide healthy, wholesome dinners.
Participants bring & prepare thier own lunch & breakfast in the Wolf
Dens communal kitchen.

Price: $340/person - Includes 3 nights accomodations,
3 dinners, all course materials,

Please contact Chris at chris@earthmentorship.com for more info or to reserve.

Intro to Wilderness Survival & Ancient Living Skills

Sun, July 12 – 9:30am – 4:30pm $50/person

Join Chris Gilmour of Earth Mentorship Programs for day of getting back to the land and reconnecting with the ancient ways of our ancestors.
Throughout the day we will touch on the essentials of survival and how to accommodate them without modern day implements in a wilderness setting.
Topics will include: natural shelter building, water purification, friction fire making with the bow and hand drill, and a introduction to local ecology and edible plants.

Please email Chris at chris@earthmentorship.com for more info or to reserve your spot.

Tale of the Track - Intro to Algonquin Park Wildlife Tracking & Studies

Sat July, 11 - 5:30pm - 9:30pm

$25/person or 2 for $40

Join Chris Gilmour of Earth Mentorship Programs for an interactive evening of exploring the deep and ancient art of tracking. Come learn to turn lifeless depressions in the ground into living stories of the past, present, and future and interpret the many other signs left around Algonquin Park and your backyard.

This workshop will interest the novice outdoors enthusiast and the seasoned naturalist as we learn to deepen our understanding of the natural world and learn what the forest is doing when we are not watching!

Please email Chris at chris@earthmentorship.com for more info or to book your spot.

Kate Jones Live at The Wolf Den - July 18th, 8pm

Come and enjoy an evening of original piano-folk and guitar songs with singer song writter Kate Jones.

Kate is a solo piano-folk artist who began her song writing career at the age of fourteen. Kate's third and most recent cd, Her Seasons, was released in December 2008. The album is a collection of guitar and piano songs that explore the rhythmic, brave journey of a relationship through its cycle of bliss, traum, and renewal. Kate's music is lyrical and heart-felt, and her sweet angelic voice penetrates to the heart of her listeners. Her sensitive piano and guitar playing coupled with her honest vocal emotionality bring a sense of calmness to her listeners. Kate's lyrics are thoughtful and rich, with the theme of nature recurring throughout. Also a talented painter and drawer, Kate sets out original art pieces to decorate her stage.

Blessed with an angelic voice and a love of performing, Kate began her music career at the age of fifteen by playing at local talent shows and cofeee houses in Newmarket, Ontario. She has continued to perform locally in Ontario as well as in Quebec, and internationall in France and Germany.

Kate has several shows and performances lined up for the summer of 2009, including the annual ASK Soiree in King City, Renees Cafe in South River, The Wolf Den Hostel in Oxtongue Lake, the Round House in Caledon, and the Lyric Pond Festival in Honeywood, Ontario. She is also currently working on her next cd, to be released in early 2010.

Please visit http://www.katejones.ca/ for updates and information about upcoming performances.

Make sure to reseve your spot for this lovely evening at The Wolf Den

Empowering Ancient Ways - Wilderness Living Skills Course

"Growing our relationship with nature through Ancient Wilderness Living Skills"

The core skills of this course have been brought together after much preparation and introspection as to how to incorporate the most well-rounded and universal wilderness wisdom and teachings into one week-long experience. This course provides the ingredients to enrich the life of anyone who lives on planet Earth, from the most seasoned wilderness guides to wildlife biologists, busy professionals who yearn for the sanctity of the wild, or anybody interested in being thoroughly introduced to wilderness living skills.

Our Passion to teach has evolved from our experience as passionate students, learning to integrate the wisdom found in pure wilderness, and emulating that firm sense of connection. Our approach has evolved out of learning to help our students to create intentful routines from the skills that have lasted through all time. We set students up for success by helping them to become aware of the wilderness that surrounds them all the time. Here begins the journey to understanding the difference between Wilderness Survival & Wilderness Living. The choice is yours, when you make it.

Course Topics Include:
Shelter, Water, Fire, Food
Wildlife Tracking
Bird language, concentric rings and base line symphony
Stone, bone, and antler tools and usage
Tree and Plant Fibers- Harvesting, Processing and Preserving
Tanning and Preserving Hides and Animal Skins in various ways
Wild Edible, Medicinal and Utilitarian applications
Traditional Hunting and Trapping methods
Stalking, Natural Movement, and Camouflage
Stewardship and Caretaker Ethics Emphasized
Empowering our ecological footprint (your tracks)
Traditional cooking and food preservation
Container making, and More!

Student Testimonial
“My experience at Empowering Ancient Ways really helped to clarify the direction I want to take in my life. The awareness skills and sit spot exercise helped me acquire my summer job last year and reinvigorated my interest in pursuing post-graduate studies at university. The teaching and support given by Skeet and the rest of the crew was incredible and really helps you strive for success. The bow drill was personally the most difficult skill that I succeeded in performing and gave me the greatest sense of accomplishment I’ve had as far back as I can remember. The people that you meet there are great and the sense of community that develops exceeds the duration of the courses. I would highly recommend Sticks and Stones Wilderness School to anyone who loves the outdoors, wants a challenge or wishes to experience something new. I am definitely looking to take more classes.” ~ Chris Deduke, student

There are two courses scheduled for this year.

When: Sunday April 26, to Saturday May 2, 2009

Where: Wolf Den Bunkhouse-Hwy 60 West of Algonquin Park, Huntsville For Directions to the Wolf Den Hostel click on the link below: http://www.wolfdenbunkhouse.com/

When: Sunday August 23, 2009 to Saturday August 29, 2009

Where:Sticks and Stones Workshop- Caledon, ON

Cost: $650, $300 Deposit
Includes: Instruction, 3 hearty meals/day, dorm style accommodation and materials for duration of the course.

To register and reserve your space click here.
Please send check or money order, payable to Sticks and Stones Wilderness School, after sending your online registration. You will be sent a confirmation package via email unless otherwise noted. It will contain a list of what to bring and travel directions. Please notify us of any changes and inform us that Payment has been sent via email, Thank You.

For further details or questions we can be reached via email at:
sswsinfo@gmail.com or by phone at: 519-216-6842

Great Wilderness Clean up

Spring has sprung and it’s that time again, yes that’s right, The Great Wilderness Clean-Up! On Saturday May 9th, groups from North and South America, as well as the UK will be going out in their natural areas and cleaning up garbage! To join a group in your area or to form your own group please visit Great Wilderness Clean Up.

The Wolf Den Hostel & Nature Retreat in partnership with Algonquin Outfitters will once again join forces to form The Wolf Pack to beautify interior sites in Algonquin Park.
Participants will receive free day passes from Algonquin Park, free canoe rentals from Algonquin Outfitters, and ½ price accommodation from the Wolf Den. The event will begin on Friday night with organizing into groups and the distribution of gloves and bags. We will clean up all day Saturday, returning to the Wolf Den for a potluck supper and prizes provided by Algonquin Outfitters. Last year’s event was fun, social and extremely successful.We will be keeping The Wolf Den group to a 30 person maximum for simplicity and effectiveness. Please contact The Wolf Den for further details.

Edible and Medicinal Plants Class

June 4th-7th

Presented by Earth Tracks

The plant world provides many gifts for us; Nutrition, Medicine, Utilitarian Uses, Natural Beauty & Guidance among others. It can be hard to know where to start when first learning how to work with the plants that surround us. In this class the student will learn how to penetrate the ‘wall of green’ and begin their own journey with the plants that surround us. We will focus on proper identification techniques, the use of field guides, drying, storing and preparation of these plants, medicinal properties as well as herbal tea making. The participant will gain practical hands on experience and come away from the program with an understanding of how to pursue future studies of wild edible and medicinal plants. These skills and techniques will help to deepen your relationship with the plant nation and provide a solid foundation on which to increase your knowledge.


This class will take place at the Wolf Den Hostel and Nature Retreat
near Oxtongue lake next to Algonquin Park The cost of the program is $350 and includes 3 nights lodging, 3 dinners*, instruction and all materials.

Registration for this program will be done through Earth Tracks. We require a $100 deposit in order to secure your spot in the program. For more information please visit our website at http://www.earthtracks.ca/

For information on the Wolf Den and their facilities please visit their website at
http://www.wolfdenbunkhouse.com/

* We will supply 3 dinners. Participants are responsible for their own breakfast, lunch and snacks. Full kitchen facilities are available.

Winter Fun Weekend

Winter seems to be flying past us here, but it has been a beautiful season with a great amount of snow for all sorts of winter activity and fun! Our friends at Algonquin Outfitters will be contributing to it by hosting “Winter Fun Day” on February 21. Saturday will be full of all sorts of free winter activities for the whole family and there is a guided hike on Sunday. There’s still room left at the Wolf Den to make it into a “Winter Fun Weekend”, so give us a call soon to make sure you get a space.
Check out Algonquin Outfitters website for more information on the day. Algonquin Outfitters

March Break Nature Retreat for Teachers

Relaxation, Exploration, Celebration, and Nature Education

March 15 – 18, 2009

Come join us for 3 days and 3 nights in the beautiful wilderness surrounding Algonquin Park, .

This retreat will be catered to the busy teacher looking to rejuvenate in Nature's Beauty, learn more about the natural world, and explore some of the many uses of natures gifts. Naturalist and Outdoor Educator Chris Gilmour along with guest instructors will be leading the group through fun and educational activities that could be brought back to the classroom or used as hobbies away from your work!

Activities will include:
- Pine needle basket making
- Felting Project
- Winter Ecology
- Snowshoeing or hiking
- Wild edible and medicinal plants
- Wildlife Tracking
- Kids Games
- Fire Making
- Warm delicious dinners
- Free Time
- And More!

The cost of this program is $260* and it includes: 3 nights accommodation at the Wolf Den Hostel and Nature Retreat, 3 nights and 2 ½ days of programming, craft and other coarse materials, 3 instructors, and 3
dinners**

Day care may be available for parents at no additional cost. Please inquire.

* Snowshoes will likely be needed for outdoor activities (weather permitting). Please bring your own if you have them. Snowshoes can be rented for you at Algonquin Outfitters for the 16th & 17th at an additional cost of $40. Please let us know a.s.a.p. if you will need them.

** Participants are responsible for their own breakfast, lunch, and snacks. They can be prepared and stored in a fully equipped communal kitchen.

The program will begin with dinner at 5:30pm Sunday evening and finish at roughly 1pm Wednesday. Additional nights accommodation can be booked at the Wolf Den by visiting: Wolf Den Hostel and Nature Retreat or calling:
1-866-271-9336

Photo Contest

ONLINE PHOTO CONTEST

WILDLIFE OF ALGONQUIN PARK

http://www.algonquinoutfitters.com/contest

The contest has been running over at Algonquin Outfitter's website for over a month now and we've received 44 great entries thus far. The third photo contest of 2008 (or the first one of 2009, all depends on how you look at it), features "Wildlife and People". So keep digging through your photos for those great pictures showing the wildlife of Algonquin Park (moose, deer, loons, raccoons or even chipmunks, oh and don't forget blackbears), bonus points will be awarded if your photo also include people watching the wildlife.

There are great prizes to be had. The contest closes on January 15th so please visit the above link to enter.