Edible Wilds and Medicinal Plants Class

June 9th - 12th

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.

Wolf Den Green Building Workshop #1 - Stage Two - April 29th, 30th, May 1st

The Wolf Den is currently undertaking its first building project. We are building a very small, experimental building using recycled material and alternative building methods. The building purpose is to explore less impactful building options while re-using waste materials. From the ground up the building will consist of used car tires, local timber, straw bale, used windows and doors, used glass bottles and possibly a living roof. The building will be off the grid with day lighting and solar powered LED lights for night time. The eventual building design will evolve through the process allowing for learning along the way

Stage one – Site Preparation – Removal of a few small trees and root systems - hand shovelling a hole10’X10’ wide and 4’ deep to get below the frost line. COMPLETE Many thanks go out to Earth Steward Intern Stephen Fuller, and our 2 Irish helpers Rory Maguire, and Mark Bulling. They spent many hours digging the hard ground while being devoured by blackflies and mosquitoes

Stage two – Foundation – No Gym memberships required for this great full body work out! The dirt removed from the hole will be pounded into used car tires which are stacked like bricks to form the foundation walls in a design sometimes referred to as earthship or tire home. The days will not just be pounding tires. There will be routines of health, community and nature incorporated into the event, including sit spots, morning exercises and stretching, nature hikes, music and pot luck meals.

Cost: Just your labour, eagerness to learn and a fun attitude

What you get: Free accommodation at the Wolf Den for Friday and Saturday nights. Experience with tire home building (also can be used for retaining walls), good work out, free guided interpretive nature hike, free time with nature.

To Register: Please email Ben at wden@wolfdenbunkhouse.com Space is limited to 6 people but we plan on running more workshops this summer.

Great Wilderness Clean up - May 14th

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 14th the Wolf Den, in partnership with Algonquin Outfitters will 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.