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Newsletter Launch! Celebrating
2008! Empowering Ancient Ways -- This week-long course was offered in early spring as well as early fall. Both classes were challenging and extremely rewarding for all those involved. Empowering Ancient Ways (EAW) is a foundation course which offers a comprehensive introduction to the many key components of Wilderness Living. This course shows participants the tools, and is only the beginning of the journey of Living the Skills on a continual basis.  
Click here for 2009 dates and more details about this program. Bow-making, Traditional Tanning, and Tracking Courses -- These four-day workshops were a huge success. Participants, instructors, and volunteers alike put in countless hours of hard work. Beautiful ash bows and soft buckskin were created, and participants have taken home their pieces as a reward for their efforts-- and as a reminder to incorporate the newly-developed skills into daily life. The tracking class saw its participants off on what promises to be an ongoing journey and fulfilling relationship with this ancient Art. Click here for more details about these and more workshops. Headwaters Gatherings -- Around the time of Spring and Autumn Equinox, Sticks and Stones helps to coordinate and facilitate the free gathering of individuals who are interested in working on and sharing skills in a focused manner. The 2008 spring gathering was held in Mount Forest, and the fall gathering was at the Sticks and Stones Workshop in Caledon of the the Headwaters Region. Thank-you to all who came out. There were many great workshops, some delicious traditionally-prepared foods, and some excellent goods being exchanged at the Trading Blanket! Click here for more on Headwaters. Community Networking -- Several presentations were delivered by Skeet Sutherland of Sticks and Stones Wilderness School this year. Skeet spoke at the Back to the Roots weekend for Fleming College students, hosted at the Wolf Den Hostel near Algonquin Park. Trent University and Fleming College also hosted Skeet for an evening lecture at the respective school's. On display were traditional bows and arrows, tanned hides, stone, bone, and antler tools, as well as great reference books. Those who attended were inspired by Skeet's motivating words about stewardship, and what it means to be a modern caretaker. Thank you to everyone for your support! We couldn't have done it without you. To arrange a presentation at your school or place of employment, send us an email at sswsinfo@gmail.com
Here's what's coming up this spring:
 
Click here to register!
It is the hope and vision of Sticks
and Stones Wilderness School that the journeys begun within the
context of the programs, classes, workshops, gatherings and
presentations will be life-long for everyone involved.
Students of Sticks and Stones are not observers, but participants in
the teachings-- the simple philosophies of living in active harmony
with our surroundings. The ancient skills and practices being kept
alive by the students of the school are the fundamental skills that
have ensured our survival as a species through the course of human
evolution. Preserving these skills within the context of today keeps
us grounded and fulfilled in the knowledge that we can survive with
just the tools Mother Nature provides. The skill bases taught
at Sticks and Stones are meant to be built upon continually, and
incorporated into daily life. In doing so, we enrich the
experience of being alive-- not only for ourselves as individuals,
but for the wellbeing of the community as a whole.
Multiple Paths - What's Right For
You?
There are many ways to begin and
to continue your journey with ancient wilderness living
skills, and with ecological stewardship. The diagram
below is meant to illustrate the dynamic, flexible nature of the
pathways offered through Sticks and Stones. There is no single way
to progress; every person must choose his or her own
path.
Some people begin a journey
with Sticks and Stones by means of attending
a presentation. Others may have particular interest in an
ancient skill, and decide to register for a specific
course, such as Traditional Bow-Building or Fire and
Shelter skills. Many people are drawn to the week-long Empowering Ancient Ways course , or to the
shorter SSWS Skills Intensive as an introduction to wilderness
living philosophies and skills; these programs provide a solid
foundation for many key elements. From there, many pathway
options seem to naturally unfold. It is up to you how you choose to
immerse yourself.
The levels in the model are
not meant to imply a hierarchy per se; you don't have to "work
your way inwards" from the outer rings. The programs and topics
indicated in the inner rings are very intently focused
on immersing oneself in wilderness living. Where the inner
rings are very deep, introspective and holistic in their
approach (Wilderness Skills), the more peripheral rings are focused
on asking the initial questions and setting a firm naturalist
foundation (Nature Awareness
Classes).
 There are many courses being offered
in 2009 with a curriculum of over 30 courses. Choose your
pathway; click on any program listed below for more details.
Headwaters Community InitiativesGuest SpeakingTracking ClubGatheringsStewardship ProjectsProfessional Consulting ServicesPresentationsProfessional GroupsPrivate MentoringForest Management & Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program MFTIPNature Awareness ClassesNature Classes (8)
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In This
Issue:
Quote of the Month:
"In wilderness is the preservation of the world." ~ H.D. Thoreau
Tell A Friend! Attention all you Sticks and Stones Wilderness School students! Did you know there are ways to save money on future courses? All you have to do is spread the good word! Previous students refer a friend and get $25 off your next course! Sign up together with 3 friends and everybody gets $50 off EAW courses! Complete Empowering Ancient Ways, and receive $25 towards your next course!
Sign Up! To sign up with a different email address or to sign a friend up for this newsletter, click here Join our
Register here for programs and workshops.
Testimonials My experience with Sticks and Stones Wilderness School is one I would not exchange for anything... immersing myself in the [private mentoring] program has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The skills Ive developed give me a more profound sense of self, and have become part of my daily life. ~ Sticks & Stones student
"My experience at Empowering Ancient Ways really helped 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 |
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For
more information, visit our website at www.sticksandstoneswildernessschool.com
To unsubscribe from the Newsletter mailing list, please reply to this email and indicate in the subject box "Unsubscribe from Newsletter" Our email: sswsinfo@gmail.com telephone: (519) 216-6842 Copyright © 2009 Sticks and Stones Wilderness School All rights reserved. | |
