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2007-2008 Wilderness Awareness Apprenticeship |
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“This program was one of the best experiences of my life. It has caused me to re-evaluate my professional and personal priorities.”
“Before I started I couldn’t imagine leading a program myself. There was a little bit of a gradual build up, but everything in the mentorship led to a turning point at which I felt I had the tools necessary to become a mentor…” - spring 2007 apprentices
· Schedule · Tuition
About the 2007-2008 Wilderness Apprenticeship Program
This apprenticeship program is intended to carry the vision of Primitive Pursuits towards a community-wide context. By training adult mentors in Naturalist Studies, Wilderness Survival Skills, and Community Building we are creating a network of leaders who are empowered to bridge the growing divide between our modern culture and the living systems of the Earth.
This vision is carried out in partnership with Cooperative Extension Association of Tompkins County and 4-H Youth Development, and with the support of parents, community members and other organizations.
Class Time - Each Friday the apprentice group will venture out with Primitive Pursuits lead instructors and special guests to explore the vast wild places and hidden urban corridors around Ithaca, NY. We’ll have some discussion time and a lot of dirt time - practicing our core routines in the field. You’ll also work individually with the instructors on your own learning path. Weekend Events - There are also four weekend skills intensives and five community events included in the program. You’ll find a schedule below and can learn more about the events here.
During your time with us you will have the opportunity to learn about and focus on skills in three areas. We call these skills our “core routines” to acknowledge that they are not learned quickly, but rather through a process of creating new patterns in our daily awareness and habits. They are also the core of our studies together.
Naturalist Studies: sensory awareness, wildlife tracking, field botany, bird language, jungle law and hazard identification Wilderness Survival Skills: friction fire techniques, using plant medicines, crafting tools and shelters for all occasions, camouflage, aidless navigation, primitive technology, water purification, and harvesting food beyond nuts and berries Community Building: sharing stories, giving back, designing ceremony, building ropes, and finding your niche
$1800 includes a non-refundable deposit of $300, over 300 hours of instruction and hundreds of hour of field work opportunities at youth programs, adult skill intensives and community building events. Limited scholarships and work exchange positions are available.
“It is deeply meaningful for me, the skills and ways of life you are practicing and teaching. And I’ve been wanting to do this for a long while.” - spring 2007 apprentice
Previous experience in wilderness skills or youth mentoring are not prerequisite for this program. Though it is an ideal experience for those enrolled in or graduating from a related degree program. Most importantly, you should have a desire to spend a lot of time within a supportive, group learning environment, as well as time spent sharing your skills and passions with a wide range of people. It is also important that you are physically able to endure playing rigorously in the outdoors for hours at a time. Please feel free to discuss with us any barriers you may have in order to participate.
Questions can be directed to Tim Drake by calling (607) 272-2292 or by e-mailing info@primitivepursuits.net
Applications can be downloaded here. You can also request one by writing to:
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PrimitivePursuits |
