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