Eastern Woodlands Tracking Club

Have you ever been to a wilderness area that you thought was ripe with wildlife, only to see next to nothing? Wondered if something was wrong and the animals were gone? Wondered if they even existed?
Enter the world of tracking! Take your explorations deeper and you may find that the animals have left behind the story of their existance. Footprints, signs of feeding, getting rid of waste, bedding down for the night, playing, hunting and escaping (maybe from you?) are often all around you. When were they here? What were they doing? Why were they here? How were they moving? How are they influenced by the world around them and by time and space? These are the questions of the tracker.
Join us this Sunday, October 31st for our first meet of the year, at the Wolf Den, starting at 11:00. Topics will include tracking philosophy, animal forms, trailing, pressure releases, and tracking as a team. It is halloween so come dressed as an animal and bring a dish for a pot luck afterwards. This is an almost free event. The cost is a smile and a willingness to learn and share! Please email me, Ben at wden@wolfdenbunkhouse.com for more info. Happy Tracking!

Hostess with the Mostest!

It’s been quite the experience here working for the Wolf Den as one of the hosts this past summer and fall season. The summer season was filled with warm sunny days and amazing people from all over the world while the fall season was a little more calm, but I was able to experience the stunning colours of the trees while enjoying the different hikes and trails through Algonquin and the Wolf Den area. I am looking forward to continuing my stay through the winter season until next summer. This past summer my boss Ben decided to hire two people as a host as well as an intern who spent the summer created a trail as well as learning about the environment and nature in depth. After just recently graduating University and looking for a fulltime position for a year, I have been lucky enough to continue my work as hostess at the Den until May as I should have been finished this coming weekend. Staying at the Wolf Den has allowed me to do some soul searching of my own. Just being here for a number of months and experiencing all the new opportunities that nature and the Wolf Den has to offer, I’ve already learned a lot about myself and what it is I want in life. My love for nature and the outdoors has grown extensively since I have been here. Hiking all of the different trails in Algonquin I got to experience what the trails looked like in the summer as well as during Algonquin’s peak season for coloured leaves... stunning, words and photos don’t do justice. I look forward to the winter season where I can experience Algonquin’s cold weather and learn about the different animals that inhabit Algonquin and the Wolf Den through the winter season. Not to mention seeing some familiar faces as well as new ones. Everyone that comes to stay here is always friendly and they have no trouble interacting with others. I invite everyone to come out and join the pack to visit the Wolf Den and experience all the different activities winter has to offer such as cross country skiing, snow shoeing, dog sledding, and tracking. I guarantee, it will be an experiences you won’t ever forget.. I know I sure won’t!!
Signing out for know..
Cheers,
Kristen Wozniak

Great Wilderness Clean up

Happy spring! The Wolf Den is once again participating in the great wilderness clean up. On May the 8th we will be spending the day cleaning the back country of Algonquin Park. Half price accommodation for friday and saturday nights, free day pass from the park, bbq provided by m+ms plus a potluck, free canoe rentals from Algonquin Outfitters, and loads of prizes and fun! Please email wden@wolfdenbunkhouse.com or call 1-866-271-9336 to register. Thanks, Ben

Spring Newletter

Spring is well underway and signs are more visible everyday out here in Algonquin Park. The sun has been keeping us in good company these days as we have been tapping maple trees and boiling down the sap for syrup. We have seen fresh moose tracks across the road and some guests even caught a glimpse of them trotting along highway 60. Many of the birds are returning from their holidays down south and are busy making nests. We expect the wild flowers to start popping up any day now.
Aside from all the natural beauties that are unfolding around us, we have a few things happening here at the Wolf Den too.
Easter Weekend still has space available for anyone wanting to join us for a weekend to enjoy the excitement of spring with temperatures near the end of the week predicted to hit around 20 degrees!

The Great Wilderness Clean-Up - May 8-10
The Wolf Den, in partnership with Algonquin Outfitters will once again be forming 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. This event is fun, social and extremely successful.
Read more: http://wolfdenbunkhouse.blogspot.com/2010/03/great-wilderness-clean-up.html
Groups across North & South America and the UK will be taking part in their own Park Systems. If you would like to set up a group in your own area follow this link: http://www.wildernesscleanup.com/

Edible Wilds and Medicinal Plants Class - June 10th - 13th
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.
Read more: http://www.wolfdenbunkhouse.com/education-centre/index.html

Wishing you great adventures,
The Wolf Den team

Earth Steward Intern

Come to the edge of Algonquin Park and immerse yourself in natural learning, wilderness & naturalist skills, organic gardening and ecotourism. The Wolf Den Hostel and Earthmentorship Programs have teamed up to create this great internship position. You will have the chance to build your resume while learning a diverse range of transferable skills that promote resiliency & adaptability in a changing world and stewardship of the land.

Tasks with the Wolf Den:
- 1 hour of cleaning in Wolf Den lodge per day
- Landscaping and organic gardening
- Assisting in development and implementation of permaculture planning
- Develop and implement interpretive nature trail
- Learn about various task involved in the operations management of an
ecotourism business and outdoor education business
- Assist in log building maintenance
- Assist in building alternative energy sources (ie. Solar collector,
solar dehydrator)
- Assist Lake Steward in lake water sampling, lake vegetation
inventory, and starting up a local nature club


Benefits and Programs:
- Complete Wilderness Awareness school Kamana 1 Naturalist training program
- Tent site at the Wolf Den and garden space/sharing and use of all facilities
- Meet people from all over the world
- Use your time off to explore the wonders of the Algonquin region by
canoe, kayak, bike, hiking, and camping.
- A chance to also learn about wilderness living skills and bushcraft

Tasks with Earth Mentorship Programs:
- Wild crafting natural materials for upcoming workshops
- Preparing demo pieces such as bow drill kits and containers (you will be
mentored in how to do this)
- Office work such as: data entry & filing, setting up data bases, office
organization, web page updates
- Taking pictures at the workshops you attend

Educational workshops you will get to attend:
- Natural Container Making - June 20th
- Intro to Wilderness Survival & Ancient Living Skills - Aug 4 – 6
- Family Nature Awareness Games – August 7
- Wolf Howl Canoe Trip into Algonquin Park - Aug 12 – 15 (still to be confirmed)
- Empowering Ancient Ways (week long wilderness skills immersion)- Sept 5 – 11
+ mentoring in tracking, naturalist skills and survival throughout the summer

For More information on these workshops please see: http://www.earthmentorship.com

Work hours: 4 hours per day mid may through until the end of August
Position is unpaid but provides many benefits and programs worth over $1000 plus accommodation

Please send applications to Ben Teskey at wden@wolfdenbunkhouse.com by April 10th

Empowering Ancient Ways

– Deepening our connection 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
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

When: April 25 – May 1 & Sept 5 – 11, 2010

Where: Kimbercote Farm, Grey Bruce County, ON

Cost: $650

Includes: Instruction, 3 hearty meals/day, dorm style accommodation or camping and materials for duration of the course.

Contact Chris at chris@earthmentorship.com for more details

Great Wilderness Clean up

The Wolf Den Hostel and Nature Retreat is proud to announce that once again we will be participating in the Great Wilderness Clean up. On Saturday May 8th groups from North and South America, and the UK will be going out into nature 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, in partnership with Algonquin Outfitters will once again be forming 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. This event is 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.

Jobs at The Wolf Den

Spend an amazing summer working at the edge of beautiful Algonquin Park as a host at the Wolf Den Hostel & Nature Retreat. Meet people from all over the world and use your time off to explore the wonders of the park by canoe, kayak, bike, hiking, and camping. A chance to also learn about wilderness living skills and bushcraft.

Title: Host - 2 positions

Job Duties:
- Greet guests and acquaint them with facility and activities of Algonquin Park
- Housekeeping and general maintenance
- Dealing with payments and accounting spreadsheets
- Use permaculture principles to help integrate into Wolf Den function and site
- Care for organic gardens
- Deal with guest concerns, inquiries and bookings

Requirements and Attributes:
- Love of natural world
- Standard First Aid
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to take initiative and work independently
- Able to work in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook

Work Term:
Position 1: May 1st – August 31st (full time) with possibility of extension.
Position 2: July 1st - August 31st (full time) with possibility of extension.

Rate of Pay:
$ 1450/ month, plus accommodation.

Please send resume and cover letter to Ben Teskey:
wden@wolfdenbunkhouse.com

4568 Hwy 60, Dwight ON,
POA 1H0

March Break Nature Retreat

For Teachers, Parents, Educators &
Nature Lovers
March 16 - 19, 2010

Spend March Break relaxing in natures beauty, learning new skills to bring back to the classroom or to your day-to-day life, and increasing your knowledge of the natural world. Earth Mentorship Programs brings you the second annual, "March Break Nature Retreat - For Teachers, Parents, Other Educators, and Nature Lovers" being held at the Wolf Den Hostel and Nature Retreat on the edge of Algonquin Park. For more information please view:

On line Poster: http://www.chris.earthmentorship.com/MarchBreakRetreat.pdf

Our Web Page: http://www.earthmentorship.com

Or contact us at: 705-788-1210 or chris@earthmentorship.com

Edible Wilds and Medicinal Plants Class

June 10th - 13th

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.