Tuesday, March 31, 2009

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

Thursday, March 26, 2009

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.