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.

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.