CHI GUNG AND PLANT SENSING (7:30-9 AM) - JEANNIE MCKENZIE
Celebrate our connection with the earth, and the depth of understanding that comes through the plant world with Chi Gung and Plant Sensing classes. The chi gung practice takes movements from ancient medical chi gung practices and focuses the understanding of the gathering and movement of energy in a new way. As we practice, guided imagery and actual images bring our presence into awareness of our larger, eternal energetic structure. From this expanded field, and with additional instructions, we tune into the plant world. We then set timers for 10 minutes, visit with the plants, then come back together after the 10 minutes to share our significant messages and experiences.
ACROYOGA - AARON TREMPER
All levels, all ages, partner acrobatics class. A variety of standing and ground based work.
BACKYARD CHICKENS 101 - ELISHA BIXLER
Come learn and discuss how to raise backyard chickens. We’ll explore everything you need to know from getting started and covering what you’ll need to raise chicks, to maintaining a healthy flock for meat and egg production. If you’re just thinking about getting started or have questions about what to do with your flock, this class is for you. We’ll have a rooster and a hen with us so you’ll be able to handle live chickens as well!
BOW DRILL FRICTION FIRE - TOM STUTZ
Watch a demonstration of several early drills. Conceptualize the gradual improvements in primitive drills over time and then learn to make a fire by bow drill. Bring a sharp knife.
COMPLETE SHEEP BUTCHERING - FELIX LUFKIN
Learn how to slaughter, skin, dress, quarter and butcher a sheep/goat! In this workshop, we'll learn about butchering, anatomy and more as we transform a whole, living animal into its many harvests, with a focus on humane, stress-free, intentional on-farm slaughter. All parts of the animal will be used including organ meats, bones and blood. We will explore using the sinew, hooves, and hide. Folks will be expected to roll their sleeves and participate in whatever way is most comfortable. All this will be done in the respectful context of interdependence.
COMPOST 101 - HAZEL AKA SQUIRREL AKA RYAN GINSBURG
Have you been wondering how to turn food scraps into dirt? Have you been wondering what to do with your human waste? Did you buy one of those plastic compost tumblers and then it broke and now you have a bunch of kitchen detritus in your freezer and your roommates are kind of annoyed? Thinking about starting a composting company? If so, you have come to the right place. Come learn the basics of various methods of managing your organic waste streams.
CORDAGE CLINIC - JEFFREY GOTTLIEB
Learn the basics of making cordage from wild plant fibers! Practice the techniques for processing the sources and creating beautiful strong rope, string or thread, and examine the Fibrary! How-to book by instructor is available for $15 if desired.
DIAGONAL PLAITED QUIVER WITH BLACK ASH - ALL DAY CLASS - ZAC FITTIPALDI
Diagonal plaiting is a close tight weave. Woven with evenly cut splints of ash. We start with a small base to get our quiver shape, then weave up about to feet. Ending with a simple woven border. This is an all day class.
DIETARY & HERBAL INTERVENTIONS FOR A HEALTHY LIFE - CAMERON STROUSS
Join Clinical Functional Herbalist Cameron Strouss as she shares some of the most basic and profound interventions she has gleaned from her 10 years in clinical herbal practice. Experience multiple herbal preparations - mineral-rich tea, digestive bitter tonic, and morning herbal tea blends, and enjoy a relaxing herbal mocktail as we imagine integrating herbals into our lives not just as medicines alone but as an important part of the ritual of daily life.
GRAPPLING WITH BODIES AND NATURE - ARIS LARA
In the world of Martial arts, each culture has traditionally held a space for the grappling arts. Kodokan Judo, Sumo, Brazilian Jujitsu, Chinese Shuai Chiao, Russian Sambo, and Western systems of Greco-Roman and Freestyle Wrestling are all very much alive. It's in our bones to wrestle and grapple with each other, to have the opportunity to see ourselves deeper and grapple with our own wild nature that lives within all of us.
This class is for folks that are drawn to any of these forms of martial arts but may have not had the opportunity to step into a dojo or practice space. It can be overwhelming to enter these physical states, the nervous system can be tracked and trained to stay calm during heightened states of physicality.
The focus here is to introduce our bodies to these forms with a reduced risk to injury.
We will start by playing games that eventually build up and ease into feeling what a full grappling sparring session might feel like.
Aris has 15+ years studying, competing, and facilitating Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He has a passion for making these forms of play accessible to all bodies who feel drawn to tap into this very old way of connecting.
Class offered by Dancing Heart Movement Arts (DancingHeart.org)
GROUP SURVIVAL - MATT HANSEN
holy moly! the unfolding capitalist crisis, war, climate change, resource extraction, desertification, disease...(etc) has finally created empty grocery shelves in the 1st world. No longer can we rely on our personal investments to meet needs but must turn to our neighbors for resiliency. Humans are designed to work together because its efficient. Let's pretend, play games, improvise tools, and approach the grounds as our canvas for surviving a rapidly changing world.
INTRO TO BLACKSMITHING - TOD KERSHAW
Basic overview of basic blacksmithing using a coal forge and hand tools. We will cover tools, fuels, materials and methods. The aim is that anyone who takes this class will be able to set up a basic blacksmithing operation for themselves.
LOVE NOTES TO THE UNIVERSE - STAR CAMP
***IMPORTANT: this is a class ONLY for affinity members of the Star Camp(people of LGBTQIA+)***
I have a lot of feelings. Intense feelings, BIG feelings, complicated feelings.
What do you do with your big feelings? How do you express them?
I express my feelings through music, words, and actions.
There are many different types of love in this universal experience, and I am known for writing love letters of all sorts. We will discuss the importance of consent, stating intentions, respecting boundaries, and clear communication during this offering.
After discussion we will try our hand at writing a love letter, but NOT to a specific person. I ask that you write a letter to yourself, to a community or group, to nature, or to an intangible being as a way to explore the various types of love that exist. I will have stationary and pens available during the offering which will also be on hand in Star Camp for folks that want to sit with their feelings on their own time.
Kelsey Leahy (she/they), aka Origami Mami, is a professional oboist, performer, and spoken word artist who travels the region working and sharing at gatherings that focus on community in tandem with the natural world. Her goal in this life is to live simply in concert with the earth, sharing songs and stories as she wanders intentionally to co-create spaces and places.
More context and contact info can be found at oboerockstar.com or @VagabondOboist
MAKING BUFFALO LEATHER SHOULDER BAGS- ALL DAY CLASS - JASON DREVENAK
BUFFALO AND BUCKSKIN LEATHER BAGS
Don’t have enough space to haul around your primitive skills and bushcraft stuff?? A shoulder bag is the must have piece of gear for all of us bush folk. Learn how to design, size, layout, punch out and assemble your own shoulder bag from Walnut Dyed Buffalo leather and buckskin.
Materials cost, x-small $12, small $18, medium $ 30, large $40, x-large $55.
Leather and leather working tools will also be available for sale.
Please bring a chair if you have one.
12 people max
MUSIC GARDENING: CREATING NEW SONG LINEAGES FOR CONNECTION AND HEALING - SARAH LOUISE
It’s possible that the human animal sings more kinds of songs than any other species. We sing to get through hard times and to celebrate each other. We sing to honor our ancestors and to connect deeply with the Earth. Walk up to ten plants in a forest and ten different songs can emerge. Music Gardening offers supportive space for people to listen to the wisdom of their bodies to create healing sounds in community. Because our bodies contain the memory of all of our experiences, being fully present with them is not always possible. And that’s ok. We will have time and space to listen to our capacities as we lovingly greet parts of ourselves that may want to offer or receive supportive sound. This circle not only aims to offer care while we are gathered together, but also to provide participants with techniques to start their own non-hierarchical improvised song circles. We will work with harmony, rhythm, chirping, buzzing and compassionate ways of meeting ourselves where we are at to begin channeling new lineages of group singing. This circle will also provide opportunities to share about our ancestral song styles and the painful emotions that can accompany loss of tradition. As a queer, able and white-bodied facilitator, Sarah Louise acknowledges her limitations to hold space for or understand all experiences. She aims to reduce harm and hierarchy by creating space for the wisdom of everyone present and builds personal capacity to offer caring and reparative presence for what can arise in painful conversations.
NEEDLE FELTING BASICS - JESSICA KAUFMAN
This is a fantastic skill to have: turning loose wool roving into strong, useful felt WITHOUT needing any water or soap or manual strength for scrubbing/agitating! Using one simple (and very affordable) tool, the barbed needle, we can create faces, figures, pouches, patches, etc with sheep's wool and the barbed needle only. Everyone is successful in this class, and projects turn out better than most folks imagine. This is a popular class because needle felting is so portable: you can bring your project to any lecture class and work away quietly while listening to other instructors. Learn everything you need to create a beautifully felted project. You can also repair holes in wool clothing with needle felting, and add decoration to natural fiber garments. Imagine felting sweet vines and leaves pictorially in wool onto your favorite hat, jacket, sweater, or backpack... See you there! Older kids welcome with an adult companion. Please, no toddlers present. Materials fee is $5/person.
OUR MAGNIFICENT TREES! - LUKE CANNON
Let's walk and meet the magnificent and generous Trees of the gathering. We will discuss their ID/ unique traits, Edible, Medicinal and other wondrous gifts.
Bring a notebook, and a spirit of curiosity. Let's get closer to this verdant, living, wild world.
REMEDIATING OUR POLLUTED WATERWAYS: A CHAR-MING POSSIBILITY - DANU MACON
Human-generated chemical compounds have proliferated exponentially over the last 175 years of industrial growth. In doing so, some members of our collective species have contaminated nearly every square inch of Mother Earth's skin with potentially harmful toxins. No place is this more important to recognize than the rivers, creeks and swamps; whose fresh waters sustain our plant and animal friends often as their only source for drink. I offer an opportunity to char-t a new course, and undo some of the damage so as to leave cleaner water for a future that has yet to come. There will be no char-ge for materials and this is no char-ade. I speak of Carbon, or charcoal, the jet-black remains of incomplete combustion of any organic material. It is a filter that can purify water if processed in certain ways. In this class we’ll discuss the contaminants charcoal can alleviate and how, we’ll make our own carbon filtration systems and we’ll co-envision a strategy for creating filters to remediate point-source pollution in our home watersheds and bio-regions. The wild ones are depending on us, let’s get to it!
SOUND OF REST SONG CIRCLE - AARON JOHNSON
Sound of Rest Song Circle is a song meditation centering black voices uplifted to interrupt the trauma story of Unrested Labor. This is an opportunity for us to be in prayerful meditation and a slowing down of what it means to absorb a collective commitment to supporting folks that have been navigating the state of being Unrested in their resource gathering.
This is a mixed space event, both people of the global majority and allies are welcome. The meditation will support holistic thinking on how to make resource gathering happen in a rested state in communities that have historically had to fight for survival. The event will also help break down what it means to be an ally, a key supporter, an anchor person, and a disruptor of the Unrested Labor trauma story, not just this weekend, or this month, but as a part of a life practice.
Unrested Labor is the acknowledgement of the slavery and post slavery exploitation of black labor that is often unvalued, untracked, and unsupported. Generations of black bodied people have been at the bottom of capitalism tiers to the benefit of those at the top. Unrested Labor is recognizing the work of people of the global majority that have labored for countless hours with no rest, often while required to be at a high level of performance with a low level of nourishment.
SPANISH NATURE WALK BY MAMA TORTUGA - CULTURE CAMP
All Spanish levels welcome! Todas, todos and todes son invitades! Let us spend some time practicing and acquiring new vocabulary that describes nature around Firefly. Supporting our brain in language learning is an excellent skill to practice in nature and we can always enjoy a break in the monolingual environment. Also, our excellent Botanista Marc Williams will join us too!
SPOON CARVING - BARRON BROWN
Learn how to carve your very own spoon with Barron Brown using just hand tools the old fashioned way. No Firefly Gathering is complete without making a spoon of your very own! bring a sharp knife!
Age limit 11 and older unless parents are present.
THE ART OF INTIMACY (NVC) LEVEL 1 - STEVE TORMA
Staying centered in any situation, moving beyond stalemates with Nonviolent Communication, forgiving others and yourself, hearing the yes behind every no, being flexible without being submissive, expressing anger or disappointment without judgment or blame, and more. With the former president of Earthaven Ecovillage and co-founder of The REAL Center.
URBAN EXPLORATION AND ABANDONED RURAL PLACES - SPENCER TWO DOGS
The child-like excitement of exploring new and forgotten places never goes away. Come and share stories while learning useful tips on how to safely, quietly, perhaps invisibly, explore towns and urban landscapes near you. This skill is useful for scavenging useful items, getting in and out of places if needed and honing our existing primitive skill sets.
WORKING WITH BONE AN OVERLOOKED GIFT- AWLS - JOSH BARNWELL
Bone has met material needs for peoples around the world since time immemorial. Harder and sharper than wood, less brittle than stone, bone meets a material niche in ancestral skills and working with it helps us connect with the greater gifts of our animal kin. During this class we will select appropriate bone pieces to shape into awls, a useful tool to further shape our world
Minimal close contact required, mask at your discretion.
BLACKSMITHING FREE-FOR-ALL - TOD KERSHAW
Choose from a variety of blacksmithing projects such as decorative (and functional) hooks, bracelets, utensils such as spoon or ladle - or something else of your choosing that is reasonable for this class. Knives, axes, things like that are not reasonable for a quarter day class. Each participant will get half the class period at the forge.
PLEASE WEAR CLOSEd TOED SHOES
CHICKEN BUTCHERING - ELISHA BIXLER
Have you always wanted to raise your own source of meat and butcher it yourself? This is a great way to be more connected with your food source and manage how it’s raised. We’ll start by going over what you’ll need and the types of chickens that are typically raised for meat. Most of the class will be spent butchering a live chicken with plenty of opportunity to get your hands dirty in the process. This will be done in the respectful context of interdependence.
DIAGONAL PLAITED QUIVER WITH BLACK ASH - ALL DAY CLASS - ZAC FITTIPALDI
Diagonal plaiting is a close tight weave. Woven with evenly cut splints of ash. We start with a small base to get our quiver shape, then weave up about to feet. Ending with a simple woven border. This is an all day class.
DIVE IN THE HIVE- HANDS-ON BEEKEEPING - CHARLIE OAK
ANYONE WITH KNOWN SEVERE REACTIONS TO HONEY BEE STINGS IS ASKED TO NOT ATTEND THIS CLASS.
YOU MAY GET STUNG. PREPARE ACCORDINGLY.
VEILS AND ONE SIZE FITS ALL NITRILE GLOVES ARE PROVIDED. SMALL HANDS? Bring small gloves (NOT BLACK)
YOU BRING—> A HAT (Needed for the veil! This is very important) PANTS, LONG SLEEVE SHIRT, SOCKS AND CLOSE-TOED SHOES. AVOID DARK COLORS IF POSSIBLE
PLEASE ONLY ATTEND THIS CLASS ONCE TO ALLOW OTHERS THE CHANCE TO ATTEND AND LEARN
This is a hands-on beekeeping class for beginner and intermediary beekeepers, whether you have a hive now or plan on getting one in the future. We will discuss basic Hive inspection protocol, how to gauge the health, growth, and present state of your super-organism, specifically for Western North Carolina environments. We will discuss classic bee behavior signs that can be the difference between a fun hive inspection and a very painful hive inspection. After we conceptualize, we will get into a bee hive or two or three together and get answers to all those burning questions you have.
Bring your notebooks, people, it’s time for a knowledge storm.
Long live the Bees! And their Keepers!
FERMENTING FOR FORAGERS - MEG CHAMBERLAIN
Join Fermenti for a demonstration and discussion designed to introduce you to the basic principles of vegetable fermentation for the home, hobby farmer/gardener and foodie alike! We Will Discuss Creative Ways to Include A Variety Of Fermented Foods and Brines Into Your Culinary Repertoire. This Is The Ultimate "Food Preservation" Event! We Will Cover Everything from Salt Curing Fruits, Honey Ferments, Basic Fermentation Principles and Creative Recipe Ideas To Add Flair To Any Culinary Function. Problem solving techniques, creative approaches like foraging for your ferments and planning your garden with intention to ferment will all be discussed. The two basic types of vegetable fermentation, self-brining like sauerkraut and kimchi as well as, brined vegetables like pickles will be covered. You will walk away with foraging for fermenting recipe ideas, culinary applications of fermented foods and a secure understanding of how fermentation will cut your food waste, reduce food budget and increase your nutritional value. So, join us for this hands-on fermenting demonstration at Sow True Seed and start Spring ofF right!
FUR FREE-FUR-ALL - JADE BIRD
In this class we will explore the many many things you can turn all natural, brain-tanned furs into! All hides are ethically sourced from roadkill or recovered from becoming waste by hunters or butchers. Come make a fluffy bag, a medicine pouch, a bracelet, a wallet, a mug cozie, keychains with a squirrel foot…. You are only limited by your imagination. We will be using buttons, stones, bones, buckskin, and leather for decoration and lacing. Youth ages 12 and up are welcome. Materials fee starts as low as 5$ or more depending on how large your project is. Walk away with a one of a kind project you can cherish for years.
HERBAL MEDICINE MAKING 101 - ELISE DAMILATIS
Come learn how to make your own herbal teas, tinctures, vinegars, oils and salves. We will meet a few plant friends as well! Bring a notebook.
HONORING OUR ANCESTORS THROUGH ART! - CULTURE CAMP
Honoring Our Ancestors Through Art! with Arulu
Want to celebrate your personal ancient history? Like making art? Need a space to chill in the creative flow?Come hang out & draw ancestors with us. Maybe they were rocks, amoebas, primordial trees, with fur, feathers, & scales, therianthropic humanimal hybrids, or patterns made by the wind in sand. Or maybe our ancestors looked like us? We will have some basic art supplies & paper for your expression. Keep your art or leave it with us to add to the space as part of an ancestor honoring altar for the weekend. Come anytime between 3-6.
INTRODUCTION TO BIRDS AND BIRD LANGUAGE - LUKE CANNON
This is a Bird Talk, not a Bird Walk. But it has been crafted to be fascinating and engaging.
The astounding world of Birds and Bird Language offers us new and remarkable wisdoms and fascinating insights that greatly expand our awareness and understanding of the natural world.
Come ready to enjoy a deep dive into the lives of our local feathered friends and learn practical techniques to begin the life changing journey of joining the Conversation of the Wilds all around us!
MAKING BUFFALO LEATHER SHOULDER BAGS- ALL DAY CLASS - JASON DREVENAK
BUFFALO AND BUCKSKIN LEATHER BAGS
Don’t have enough space to haul around your primitive skills and bushcraft stuff?? A shoulder bag is the must have piece of gear for all of us bush folk. Learn how to design, size, layout, punch out and assemble your own shoulder bag from Walnut Dyed Buffalo leather and buckskin.
Materials cost, x-small $12, small $18, medium $ 30, large $40, x-large $55.
Leather and leather working tools will also be available for sale.
Please bring a chair if you have one.
12 people max
MAKING FIRE WITH FLINT AND STEEL - SHAWN KELLY
Come learn to use flint and steel to make fire just like the mountain men did in the past. I have this listed as an adult class but smaller children are welcome if they are accompanied by an adult
PAPERMAKING WITH INVASIVE PLANTS - NICA RABINOWITZ
Partner with overly abundant plants to create paper. We will work together to create a paper pulp from japanese knotweed and kudzu vines. Participants will also learn how to make DIY paper presses and screens to create their own paper from invasive plants and other foraged plants, fungi, and reused materials.
PEMMICAN: ULTIMATE SURVIVAL FOOD - WENDY DAVIS
Food and the ability to preserve it is what has enabled humans to travel through regions bringing their supplies with them. To stop and stay in one location despite the current weather. Or to sustain themselves in times when things aren’t going so well.. And as we continue to talk about disruptions in the world today, these techniques may be the thing that keeps your family thriving instead of just surviving. Putting by your own foods, is really the only way to make sure you have the best quality food that is not factory farmed and without compassion and awareness of its impact to the planet.
Pemmican is in simple terms - if jerky and granola bars came together and decided to have a union. All the bests of the worlds, the nutritional value of creating more of a whole meal, high in the proteins, fats and natural sugars your body needs to keep on moving. Historically it was one of the traditional foods of the Great Plains Assiniboine Tribe that they shared and traded with the original European frontiersmen and trappers. This led to a long drawn out war called the Pemmican Wars. Which affected the tribes and settlers of the area very drastically and only fueled over the greed of capitalism. An issue we deal with still today… The recipe was used and spread throughout the world as a storage safe survival food.
In this class we will be making our own Pemmican! Discussing the variety of possible ingredients, ratio balances to the recipe, and get to learn more about the history of this traditional food. And the main tribe that is known for its production and trade. Each person will get to participate in the making of the pemmican, and get to take home their very own sample! (Attending the demystifying fats class (Friday) will build on part of this lesson but not required)
Class limit 12
Class fee $35.00
SOLSTICE BEESWAX CANDLE MAKING - HISTORY, SPIRIT, & IMBUEMENT - JT STOKES
Let's craft lights for the future while the Sun is high.
This workshop will lean more into the historic and spiritual aspects of candles, though we will cover some technical essentials.
We will also have an opportunity to imbue our candles with the magical mojo of the summer solstice.
Participants are welcome to bring any spiritual tools that might inspire and enhance their being (that they are o.k. with having near molten, sticky beeswax).
While we will discuss ceremony, there will be no group ceremony or group prayer within this workshop. We may share stories and inspire each other with new ideas, but the magic of our candles will be up to each of us to decide.
Please bring a respectful and nonjudgmental heart and whatever special energy you would like to infuse within your candle.
For those who want to dive into the technicalities of beeswax candle crafting - JT recommends taking one of the three other candle making classes available later in the week.
Each attendee will dip a taper set (2 candles).
STONE TOOLS - JAMES CLINKSCALES
Stone tools have been produced by our ancestors throughout history. In this class we will explore methods of manufacturing stone tools using stone, bone, and antler to produce blades and projectile points for everyday uses! Make an arrowhead for your arrow or atlatl. Make a knapped stone effigy to complete your primitive necklace!
SURVIVAL WALK FOR RESOURCES - JOSH ROBERTS
Let’s explore the landscape for natural wonders around us. Plants, trees, and animals, we will be exploring the forest with an earth-skill mindset and open heart to discover the amazing things we can find in the forest. Discover plants and trees for cordage, fire, food, and shelter and other wonders!
THE ART OF INTIMACY (NVC) LEVEL 2 - STEVE TORMA
For those with some familiarity with Nonviolent Communication. Using NVC Dance Floors and Somatic Experiencing to move from pain to compassion, from the illusion of conflicting needs to finding win/win strategies, from grasping for approval to deep inner peace, and from negativity to the natural joy of life. With the former president of Earthaven Ecovillage and co-founder of The REAL Center.
THE NATURE OF RESILIENCE - SARAH HAGGERTY
The path of healing is reflected in the living world all around us. Nature reveals the way through pain, loss, trauma or soul fragmentation. In this class, we will share teachings about the human experience and go on a nature walk to explore how those teachings are expressed in the living world. This class includes open story shares, and inspirations from nature philosophy and wilderness therapy.
THE WAY OF THE WOOL: NATURE'S BEST FIBER - JESSICA KAUFMAN
Scouring, felting, spinning, knitting; insulating, floating on water, wicking moisture but still regulating your body temperature? What can't wool do?! If you already have a love affair with wool, or you'd like to learn to fall in love, come to this hands-on, materials-heavy discussion/demo. We'll get into staple length, fiber prep & storage, qualities of different breeds of wool, the basic structures of hand spun yarns, how to knit or crochet or weave with those yarns, discuss wet felting vs. needle felting, and so much more! No materials fees, drop in and stay as long as you like. Bring a chair or something to sit on.
TIMBER FRAMING - BARRON BROWN
Come and learn about the ancient and useful art of timber framing.
WORKING WITH BONE, AN OVERLOOKED GIFT - NEEDLES - JOSH BARNWELL
Bone has met material needs for peoples around the world since time immemorial. Harder and sharper than wood, less brittle than stone, bone meets a material niche in ancestral skills and working with it helps us connect with the greater gifts of our animal kin. During this class we will select appropriate bone pieces to shape into beautiful, functional, needles.
Minimal close contact required, mask at your discretion.
WRITING FOR MINDFULNESS - ERIKA HOWSARE
Anything we want to do, from foraging to crafting to conversation, requires awareness. The more mindful we are, the deeper our experience and the more effective our action. Can writing be a tool to sharpen our awareness? We will probe this question through a series of experiments with paper and pen. We are not aiming to write anything "finished"; this is about play and process. We might use writing as a way to tune into sound, to help us focus while taking a slow wandering walk, to listen to our bodies during sitting or conversation, to get more precise about how we notice temperature or texture around us. We will tap into all five senses and we will consider what other senses we also possess, a large and exquisite rainbow of information that is available to us as humans. The class will suggest a multitude of ways to use writing as a form of meditation, ceremony, and daily practice for bringing us more fully into alignment with the realness of what is.
ZEN AND THE ART OF WOODSPLITTING - FUZ SANDERSON
Before enlightenment chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.
You may be surprised by the spiritual aspect of wood splitting. It is a journey that expands your awareness...we will be going through the safe aspects of wood splitting, learning how different types of wood react to blades, blaze and body. Wear closed toe shoes.
If one has cut, split, and hauled and piled his own oak, and let his mind work the while, he will remember much about where the heat comes from, and with a wealth of detail denied to those who spend the weekend in town astride a radiator. - Aldo Leopold.
BUILDING HEALTHY CEREMONIAL CANNABIS CULTURE - SARAH LOUISE
By the 11th century, humans had spread Cannabis from its origins in Asia all the way to Africa and Europe. Hildegard von Bingen, the song-channeling Benedictine nun included it in the mystical writings she produced in her German Abbey nearly 1,000 years ago. With its ancient multi-continent reach, Cannabis presents a unique opportunity for people of many backgrounds to rebuild ceremonial plant lineage in a non-extractive way. And with certain forms of THC now legal in North Carolina, this process can be above ground and accessible. In the United States, Cannabis is most commonly used to get high or get by. Amidst harmful systems, this is a compassionate aspect of its medicine. But there are other sides to Cannabis that we can access through intentional collaboration with this visionary plant. As an amplifier of consciousness, it can be a powerful mirror to show us loops within our own psyches. And when navigated skillfully, this uncomfortable trait can help us uproot these loops for personal and systemic transformation. Ceremonial usage can also produce visions, heighten energetic sensitivity and even create bridges of communication with ancestors and other medicinal plants by amplifying their spirits. While legal status is popping up in many places, the harm criminalization disproportionately produces for communities of color is ongoing. This circle will offer collaborative space to dream into new ceremonial forms, as well as share resources for how to help repair harm that criminalization produces.
FIREFLIES OF THE APPALACHIANS - A WALK & TALK - WADE BURLEY
**MEET AT 8:15 PM**
Come learn about fireflies, their lives and life stages, and their place in our ecosystem, followed by a walk to meet some of the 19+ species that call our area home. Bring a headlamp with a red, blue, or green light setting, and be ready to walk in the woods.
PERCEPTIONS OF OUR STARGAZING ANCESTORS: ASTROLOGY, ASTRONOMY & HUMAN CULTURE - FRANK SALZANO
This will be a deep dive into the history of our relationship to the celestial realms. How did our relationship to the sky evolve and weave into the mythopoetic process of our culture-making and our becoming human beings? We’ll travel through time and landscape exploring the origins of mythology, cultural astronomy, ritual, cross-cultural star lore and our relationship to the heavens. How are we industrial, light-polluted amnesiacs different from the many many generations of humanity that maintained intimacy with the sky, its images, cycles of time, and the deities who dwell there? This will be a little remembering of a different way of perceiving and relating to the nightly mysteries and the dark-illuminated cosmos overhead.
BIRDS BEFORE BREAKFAST! - FUZ SANDERSON
The Dawn Chorus: Who is that singing?
We’ll take a moment to listen and appreciate the world coming alive at Dawn. This is part meditation and part identification of who is singing. Bring binoculars if you have them.
BO STAFF AND MEDITATION - SPENCER TWO DOGS
Open the day with breathwork and gentle body movement in the style of Kukishinden Ryu Bojutsu. This 1,000 year old art is a great way to start the day by grounding, rotating, and moving energy through our bodies using the 6 foot staff. Bring your own stick if possible, or, I have extras available in my camp - please stop by to pick one up before class!
CHI GUNG AND PLANT SENSING (7:30-9 AM) - JEANNIE MCKENZIE
Celebrate our connection with the earth, and the depth of understanding that comes through the plant world with Chi Gung and Plant Sensing classes. The chi gung practice takes movements from ancient medical chi gung practices and focuses the understanding of the gathering and movement of energy in a new way. As we practice, guided imagery and actual images bring our presence into awareness of our larger, eternal energetic structure. From this expanded field, and with additional instructions, we tune into the plant world. We then set timers for 10 minutes, head out (or already be outside if you can be) and come in after the 10 minutes to share our significant messages and experiences.
ACROYOGA - AARON TREMPER
All levels, all ages, partner acrobatics class. A variety of standing and ground based work.
ASTROLOGY AND HEALING DEVELOPMENTAL TRAUMA - FRANK SALZANO
This class will be an introduction into understanding developmental trauma (if you grew up in western civ, you've got some layer of it), and the 5 correlating personality patterns, and integrating these systems with a rich psychological astrology. This shit is profound and can go really deep into helping us understand our wounds and healing journey. The model of developmental trauma we’ll look at is called the NeuroAffective Relational Model, and we’ll integrate it with a cross-cultural astrological understanding steeped in traditional western divination and yogic/vedic psychology. Attachment. Attunement. Trust. Autonomy. Love & Sexuality. We will use astrology to illuminate the patterns of our psyches and the timelines of our personal development and growth. Bring your chart or birth info and be ready to go deep. This will be an intimate container.
BAMBOO & CANE FLUTE MAKING - HAWK HURST
Participants will create and learn to play one, of a variety of styles of flutes made from bamboo, including end-blown, side blown and flutes in both the diatonic and pentatonic scale. Special emphasis will be given to learning how to tune the flutes. Ages 14 and up. $20 class fee due at time of class. Hawk was initially self taught in the art of making flutes, but over the years learned a great deal from Cherokee Elders, Eddie Bushyhead, Hawk Littlejohn, as well as flute makers Orea Van Dorren and Geri Littlejohn.
BAMBOO FIRE SAW - TOM STUTZ
The bamboo fire Saw is a primitive fire making method used throughout Malaysia, Borneo, the Philippines etc. All components are constructed from a single piece of bamboo. Make a fire kit and learn proper fire saw technique. Take your fire saw with you after class. Bring a sharp knife
BEESWAX CANDLE MAKING - JT STOKES
Come learn the basics of pouring & dipping 100% beeswax candles.
We’ll discuss crucial temperature ranges, safety, and calculating burn time. This workshop will include tips for selecting your wax-to-wick ratio and avoiding surface imperfections. I’ll also cover essential tools and low-waste strategies for this craft.
We’ll talk about tips for pouring blemish-free, single-pour candles in indoor kitchens. Our main focus will be dipping taper candles.
Each attendee will dip a taper set (2 candles).
BIOCHAR BASICS - JUSTIN VETTEL
Charcoal is truly a material that has helped humans change the world. It’s easy to look at a charred piece of wood without noticing the utility and connections to everything life is about. It is a unique material that can function as one of humanity’s first writing utensils, and yet be depended on today for the health and beauty of humans all over the world. In this class we’ll go over some basics about biochar. We’ll dive into the history and use of this versatile material as well as how biochar relates to the chemistry and biology of the soil.
We will be making biochar with the ancient pit method and I will show you how to make a basic reactor, enabling any organic material to be turned into char.
BLACK ASH HEX WEAVE - ALL DAY CLASS - ZAC FITTIPALDI
Hexagonal plaiting is an over one under one weave, by creating five and six pointed “stars” we will weave this open spaced and lightweight basket. Ending it with a bounded rim. This is an all day class.
BLACKSMITHING FREE-FOR-ALL - TOD KERSHAW
Choose from a variety of blacksmithing projects such as decorative (and functional) hooks, bracelets, utensils such as spoon or ladle - or something else of your choosing that is reasonable for this class. Knives, axes, things like that are not reasonable for a quarter day class. Each participant will get half the class period at the forge.
PLEASE WEAR CLOSED TOED SHOES
CARVE A WOODEN HAIR COMB - BARRON BROWN
Carve a beautiful hair comb for beauty and function with Barron Brown.
Bring a sharp knife.
Age limit: 11 and older unless accompanied by an adult.
CHEROKEE CORNHUSK DOLL MAKING- ALL DAY - LAURA WALKINGSTICK
Create a Cherokee cornhusk doll with Laura Walkingstick, a Cherokee doll maker, enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. We will create a 8”-11” cornhusk doll with good thoughts and good intentions. We will decorate the finished doll with fabrics, ribbon and yarn. Length of time depends on individuals.
COOKING WITH ACORNS: ACORN PANCAKE BREAKFAST - FREA FORAGER
Join us for a wild foods pancake breakfast and discussion on how to use acorns as human food. We will talk about the various processes of harvesting, drying, shelling, grinding, leaching, and preserving as well as different ways to incorporate acorns into your diet. We will also make and enjoy some gluten-free acorn pancakes together! There will be a materials/food fee* of $10 per person. Children under 12 must be with an adult.
*Pay-what-you-can discount available for members of the global majority, members of racialized communities, and those with very low or no income.
CORDAGE COLLEGE - JEFFREY GOTTLIEB
Beginner to advanced cordage making! Learn techniques for making cordage stronger, faster and better than ever before! We will process and try several plant and animal sources of fibers, work with clever traditional tools for handling fibers, and hear a new work song on cordage making, written by the instructor and Saro Lynch Thomason this Spring! How-to book by instructor is available for $15.
CULTIVATING GRATITUDE - BANNER WORKSHOP - JULIA O. BIANCO
The first part of the class will start with an exercise on contemplation in Nature - the premise is "stop and notice what you notice." This section lasts about 30 minutes, and participants are welcome to spread, explore in the woods, and find a quiet place to spend some time just being present with the Land. This is to prepare participants to take time and observe first. We will regroup and then go over the agreements stated in The Honorable Harvest, utilizing Robin Wall Kimmerer's writings about it and speaking about its origins according to this author's book "Braiding Sweetgrass." This section is about 30 minutes. Participants will then be invited to go back in the woods and collect elements honorably. This section lasts about 20-30 minutes. Then the group will gather again, and we will talk about the cyanotype technique. This will be followed by a cyanotype workshop in which each participant will receive an emulsified piece of fabric. Participants will be invited to create cyanotype banners using the elements they collected in the woods, plus words, prayers, poems they feel like sharing as well. This section can take up to 40 minutes. Lastly, the group will decide on an arrangement for these banners and will co-create an installation in a space in the woods where their banners will hang from twine. This installation can stay until the end of the event.
DECOLONIZING OLD AND NEW SONGS FOR THE WIN - SARO LYNCH-THOMASON
In this workshop, we'll explore songs from Catawban, Appalachian and broader U.S. traditions to foster a discussion about creating, sharing and passing on songs in a way that respects traditional communities and helps keep cultural contexts intact. DeLesslin and Saro will take turns teaching songs as a jumping off point to explore and discuss ways in which singing has been used as a colonizing tactic, a strategy for cultural preservation and a syncretic adaptation to express faith and new ideas. Conversation will be had about how to respectfully create, contextualize or pass on songs, choices of letting specific communities keep certain songs, and choosing to stop singing some songs altogether. Because of the background and expertise of the instructors, this class will be primarily looking at white colonizer song traditions and Catawba Nation and other Indigenous traditions.
DIVE IN THE HIVE- HANDS-ON BEEKEEPING - CHARLIE OAK
ANYONE WITH KNOWN SEVERE REACTIONS TO HONEY BEE STINGS IS ASKED TO NOT ATTEND THIS CLASS.
YOU MAY GET STUNG. PREPARE ACCORDINGLY.
VEILS AND ONE SIZE FITS ALL NITRILE GLOVES ARE PROVIDED. SMALL HANDS? Bring small gloves (NOT BLACK)
YOU BRING—> A HAT (Needed for the veil! This is very important) PANTS, LONG SLEEVE SHIRT, SOCKS AND CLOSE-TOED SHOES. AVOID DARK COLORS IF POSSIBLE
PLEASE ONLY ATTEND THIS CLASS ONCE TO ALLOW OTHERS THE CHANCE TO ATTEND AND LEARN
This is a hands-on beekeeping class for beginner and intermediary beekeepers, whether you have a hive now or plan on getting one in the future. We will discuss basic Hive inspection protocol, how to gauge the health, growth, and present state of your super-organism, specifically for Western North Carolina environments. We will discuss classic bee behavior signs that can be the difference between a fun hive inspection and a very painful hive inspection. After we conceptualize, we will get into a bee hive or two or three together and get answers to all those burning questions you have.
Bring your notebooks, people, it’s time for a knowledge storm.
Long live the Bees! And their Keepers!
ECO-PRINTING WITH NATIVE PLANTS - KELLY GASKILL
Eco-printing is the process of transferring leaf and flower images onto fibers. In this class you'll learn which plants to use, techniques for capturing form and color, optimal fibers to print on, and more. It's kind of like natural dyeing but different. Come get creative and learn something new about plants!
FREE MOVEMENT & VOCAL RELEASE - STAR CAMP
Our bodies are vessels of vibration that encounter and absorb energy around us. Let us gather around and let go of those stored frequencies through ecstatic movement and vocalizing. There are no rules or "right ways" to move or sound, just respect yourself and those around you.
Dawaune (He/She/They) is a queer artist and creator interested in the regeneration and reconnection of people, place, and planet. A young spirit leader, Dawaune brings together their ancestral lineages through individual and collective practices meant for helping us root in our Earth.
GROW SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS ON LOGS PART 1 (ALL DAY) - MADISON WRIGHT
Shiitake mushrooms are a nutritional and medicinal powerhouse, especially when grown outside on logs with real (but preferably dappled) sunlight. Shiitakes have been cultivated on logs in Japan for centuries since they were discovered in the forest and befriended by the humans there. We will take some time in the morning covering the mushroom lifecycle and the origins of shiitake cultivation, then we’ll get hands on and work together as a team to inoculate fresh oak logs with shiitake mushrooms and everyone will take home a log that will produce shiitakes for years! We will be using a drill or angle grinder as well as a camping stove and hot wax but there are plenty of tasks so we can work together as a team with everyone working where they're comfortable.
HOW TO CATCH AND REHOME WILD HONEYBEE COLONIES - ELISHA BIXLER
Learn about catching wild honeybee colonies. We’ll go over the equipment that you’ll need and how to even set up your own trap to catch a wild swarm. There will also be a live demonstration of this process as we go over the skills and techniques I use to safely and properly relocate honeybees. Class participants will be provided with proper protective gear and allowed to interact with the bees. Please wear light colored clothing, long sleeves and pants. If you are allergic to bees or are unsure of your reaction we don’t recommend taking this class.
INTRO TO SACRED SEXUALITY - STEVE TORMA
After our survival instinct, sexual energy is the most powerful force in the human experience. How do we access and guide this energy? With the heart. And what guides our heart? The overall spiritual purpose of our lives. When all three are combined: sex, heart, and spirit, we can live a deeply satisfying life of service to our ultimate vision. Ideas and practices for improving your physical and emotionally-intimate relationships. With the former President of Earthaven Ecovillage and co-founder of The REAL Center.
MAKING BUFFALO LEATHER SHOULDER BAGS- ALL DAY CLASS - JASON DREVENAK
BUFFALO AND BUCKSKIN LEATHER BAGS
Don’t have enough space to haul around your primitive skills and bushcraft stuff?? A shoulder bag is the must have piece of gear for all of us bush folk. Learn how to design, size, layout, punch out and assemble your own shoulder bag from Walnut Dyed Buffalo leather and buckskin.
Materials cost, x-small $12, small $18, medium $ 30, large $40, x-large $55.
Leather and leather working tools will also be available for sale.
Please bring a chair if you have one.
12 people max
NEEDLE FELTING - JESSICA KAUFMAN
This is a fantastic skill to have: turning loose wool roving into strong, useful felt WITHOUT needing any water or soap or manual strength for scrubbing/agitating! Using one simple (and very affordable) tool, the barbed needle, we will create faces, figures, pouches, patches, etc with sheep's wool and the barbed needle only. Everyone is successful in this class, and projects turn out better than most folks imagine. This is a popular class because needle felting is so portable: you can bring your project to any lecture class and work away quietly while listening to other instructors. Learn everything you need to create a beautifully felted project. You can also repair holes in wool clothing with needle felting, and add decoration to natural fiber garments. Imagine felting sweet vines and leaves pictorially in woll onto your favorite hat, jacket, sweater, or backpack... See you there! Older kids welcome with an adult companion. Please, no toddlers present. Materials fee is $5/person.
PERVASIVE FREEFORM BASKETRY - WENDY DAVIS
As per Nancy Basket’s request, this class, formerly known as invasive basketry, was renamed using the word Pervasive.
Pervasive: (especially of an unwelcome influence or physical effect) spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people. (Oxford languages)
This will be a hands-on workshop where each person attending can learn a real skill using wild vines to create their own freeform basket. Baskets have been pivotal throughout time in enabling people to harvest and carry different things from place to place. And freeform baskets are one of the foundational ways we can begin our soon to be long personal story with basket making.
We will use kudzu vines, learning which ones will split or bend best. Places to harvest. How to build a frame and possibly handle. And then how to let go and let the vines tell us where they fit in to finish our form.
Yet another great way to change our perspective of the world around us. Instead, learning the positive attributes and uses of something most others see as harmful or invasive. With these new perspectives, can we start making an impact on the world around us for the better.
Discussions throughout class may include other medicinal and edible uses of kudzu and other uninvited viney plants. The horrors of the pesticide industry and what is actually doing to our planet. Possible other options of control of these plants. How winning is all about a positive perspective and patience. And maybe more. Story time about perspectives is highly likely.
Materials $10.00
Please bring a knife and pruners
PLANTS, MUSHROOMS AND LICHEN OF OUR GATHERING - LUKE CANNON
Let's slow down and tune into the living forest.
Come walk and meet some of the astounding and generous plants and fungal friends of the gathering. We will discuss their ID, webs of connection and Edible, Medicinal, and other wondrous gifts.
Bring a notebook, and a spirit of curiosity. We'll be diving deep into the verdant, living, wild world.
STARTING THE ORGANIC FARM PAPERWORK LABRYNTH - NICHOLAS PARKER
In this class we will discuss the ins and outs of starting an organic farm. Organic farm, being a farm that is registered as organic with the USDA. The paperwork, the expectations, the somewhat double edged sword of non-organics in organic certification will all be discussed. Taught by a Organic Farm Inspector and Consultant, this class will focus on what basics are needed to get an organic farm started on paper. We will discuss the troubleshooting of developing a plan for complying with the organic standards, and that can be easily followed and inspected.
SURVIVAL EATING - MATT HANSEN
caloric efficiency away from the dominant paradigm. living outdoors takes roughly 1 million calories per person, per year.... 120 calories per squirrel, 8,333 1/3 squirrels... how to diversify our "portfolios."
TAI CHI PUSH HANDS - GRANT ADKISSON
Tai Chi Push Hands is the bridge between the Tai Chi form and its martial applications. Tai Chi Chuan translates as "Grand Ultimate Fist" and is more than the slow motion healing and restorative movements it is commonly known as today. This method utilizes "internal" power and "listening energy" to neutralize and redirect the greater force and strength of an opponent in a relaxed and subtly effective way. Push Hands builds sensitivity, increases "root" and helps to utilize the movements and subtle aspects of the form while being a fun and dynamic way to play.
We will learn about the basic methods of push hands and the eight movements of Tai Chi as well as some time practicing some Chi Kung and joint mobility exercises.
***TOSS LARGE MEN LIKE A SACK OF POTATOES***
***MOVE A THOUSAND POUNDS WITH A FEATHER***
***SINK AND TURN***
THE ART OF GROUP FACILITATION FOR COLLECTIVE HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION - SHIRA SAMEROFF
Groups are a powerful space for individual and collective healing and transformation. When thoughtfully facilitated, the potential for healing growth and connection is immense. Yet we humans have gone wildly astray from our inherent natural ways of living in open-hearted, open-minded, mutually supportive connection. This is especially those of us of european heritage and living the US, immersed in cultures and histories full of un-healed separation and disconnection. We can change course! Our earth is calling for us to remember and re-inhabit our natural ways of being WITH each other!
Safe, authentic, connecting group experiences are essential to enable the world healing we are all so craving. But groups are not easy to facilitate! Creating a safe space, navigating group dynamics, understanding and tending to issues of oppression and power, with self-awareness is challenging and many underestimate the the level of thoughtful intention and attention they require. Join me for this nurturing workshop to deepen your skills in group facilitation so you can most effectively offer your gifts to groups, in your own beautifully unique way. No experience with groups necessary to attend.
TRACKING BASICS - SHIFTING PERSPECTIVES TO TELL STORIES - ELIJAH STRONGHEART
Tracking is the art of observing, deducing, telling a story, and predicting the future. Join for a stroll through camp and forest to explore ways to shift perspective and observe the ripples of action all around us. We will be observing animal sign, following trails, studying details, and tracking each other. Weaving together the past, present and future through story gives us the opportunity to connect with each other. We can use this model to track ourselves. What kind of stories do you tell?
USEFUL KNOTS (BEGINNERS) - CHRISTOPHER CRITTER WATTS
Knots are incredibly useful and versatile. It's my hope that I can help make them easy and fun as well.
We'll start with a few of my favorite "go to" knots - simple to learn and tie; then we'll play with some concepts and applications.
Feel free to come assist folks to learn if you have the knowledge already. I can always use teaching help with this class. And please bring and show me exciting knots toward the end of class or outside class time
You will need:
* blankets, pads or chairs to sit on if you like
* books or rope (optional)
* water
* a good attitude
* questions
This class is open to everybody.
Children should be accompanied by an adult unless they are old enough to participate by themselves.
WILLOW PACK BASKET (PART 1 OF 6) - TYLER LAVENBURG
Welcome fellow Willow enthusiasts! In this three-day class we will be using locally grown European basket willow to weave up some fine pack baskets. We will be using whole round shoots of willow varieties selected over centuries for ideal industrial strength baskets. Day one we will cover growing, propagating, harvesting, and preparing material, while weaving our bases and locking our spokes in place. Day two we will weave up the body. Day three we will turn down the rim and add a foot. WE WILL NOT MAKE STRAPS IN THIS CLASS! You will learn several different weaves including twining, randing, slewing, waling, and learn everything you need to know to replicate the process. This class is a full three days! Materials fee $100.
WOODSLORE, WEEDS, AND USEFUL WILD PLANTS - DOUG ELLIOTT
Whether he’s pointing out poison ivy, pontificating on possums, extolling the virtues of dandelions, telling wild tales, or wailing out a jivey harmonica tune, Doug Elliott is known for his lively storytelling as well as his broad, practical, scientific and cultural knowledge of the natural world. He will be leading a fun, educational ramble around the fields and forests focusing on the useful and interesting wild plants as well as birds, insects and other critters we encounter.
WORKING WITH BONE, AN OVERLOOKED GIFT - WHISTLES - JOSH BARNWELL
Bone has met material needs for peoples around the world since time immemorial. Harder and sharper than wood, less brittle than stone, bone meets a material niche in ancestral skills and working with it helps us connect with the greater gifts of our animal kin. During this class we will select appropriate bone pieces to shape into beautiful, functional, whistles.
Minimal close contact required, mask at your discretion.
40 MINUTE FORKS - FUZ SANDERSON
40 minute forks. Don't eat your salad with a spoon! This is a wood carving gateway skill, we'll make a fork you can use in the wilderness, or in the office...
Limit 20 people, Age 12 and above. You will need a sharp knife, and you will feel empowered.
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE - KENNEDY KENNEDY
Being raised from birth by deaf parents, sign is my first language. Able to sign and speak simultaneously, this is a dynamic presentation of a unique perspective of the language of physical expression.
Based on English, American sign language is far easier to learn than most other spoken languages, and because sign heavily uses body language & facial expression, this class can have a real impact on the way you commune with others.
We will get a chance to learn many words and phrases, as well as to feel some untranslatable expressions.
We'll get to pair up and experiment with non-verbal expression, and take this art form wherever we feel we want to.
We will explore mantra-style repetitive movements in a tai-chi style that encourages softness in the body and serenity in the soul.
We'll discuss and converse in whatever direction the group wants to go.
APPALACHIAN FOLKSONGS FOR THE SOUL - SARO LYNCH-THOMASON
In this workshop we'll learn a robust mix of folk songs, ballads, sacred songs, hollers, and protest songs from Southern Appalachia! Whether we grew up in the region, just moved here, or are just passing through, local traditional song is a powerful way to integrate into regional history and struggles, and create a sense of responsibility as visitors and citizens of this beautiful place. We'll learn the background on each song as we go. Some newer songs reflecting regional identity and ecology will be incorporated as well. Songs will be learned by ear, and some lyrics will be provided. Participants are welcome to record the class.
BAMBOO & CANE FLUTE MAKING - HAWK HURST
Participants will create and learn to play one, of a variety of styles of flutes made from bamboo, including end-blown, side blown and flutes in both the diatonic and pentatonic scale. Special emphasis will be given to learning how to tune the flutes. Ages 14 and up. $20 class fee due at time of class. Hawk was initially self taught in the art of making flutes, but over the years learned a great deal from Cherokee Elders, Eddie Bushyhead, Hawk Littlejohn, as well as flute makers Orea Van Dorren and Geri Littlejohn.
BAREFOOT LIVING: HOW AND WHY TO GO BAREFOOT - ROBIN GREENFIELD
Learn the why and how to be barefoot. Observe, connect to and learn to love your feet. Robin will share a philosophical discussion on going barefoot and we’ll practice feet-on activities together. Walk away with skills and mindset to break free from societal norms and reconnect with Earth!
This class is designed specifically for those new to going barefoot and is accessible to all.
BICYCLE MAINTENANCE 101 - MATTY S
Have you ever had a flat tire? How about gears that wouldn't shift? Brakes that wouldn't stop? Learn the basic maintenance skills that will keep your bike(and you) happily rolling together! This includes weekly maintenance protocol as well as basic repair/ tune up procedures. Tools used will be minimal by design, allowing you to have a skillset that is catered to bike travel/ minimalist living. Bring your bike(if available), or learn on one of ours and get your hands greasy learning how to be more self sufficient and empowered! Lots of time for bike stories and questions. This class is beneficial for all skill levels; beginners with little tool/ repair knowledge up to adept mechanics wanting to learn new techniques.
BLACK ASH HEX WEAVE - ALL DAY CLASS - ZAC FITTIPALDI
Hexagonal plaiting is an over one under one weave, by creating five and six pointed “stars” we will weave this open spaced and lightweight basket. Ending it with a bounded rim. This is an all day class.
BLACKSMITHING FREE-FOR-ALL - TOD KERSHAW
Choose from a variety of blacksmithing projects such as decorative (and functional) hooks, bracelets, utensils such as spoon or ladle - or something else of your choosing that is reasonable for this class. Knives, axes, things like that are not reasonable for a quarter day class. Each participant will get half the class period at the forge.
PLEASE WEAR CLOSED TOED SHOES
CHEROKEE CORNHUSK DOLL MAKING- ALL DAY - LAURA WALKINGSTICK
Create a Cherokee cornhusk doll with Laura Walkingstick, a Cherokee doll maker, enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. We will create a 8”-11” cornhusk doll with good thoughts and good intentions. We will decorate the finished doll with fabrics, ribbon and yarn. Length of time depends on individuals.
COLONIZATION AND FOOD: A CATAWBA STORY - ROO GEORGE-WARREN
Come join me for an interactive storytelling class about the last 6000 years of Catawba history and food. You will hear some traditional stories, learn a little bit of the Catawba language, and a lot of history told in an interesting and accessible way. We will use this time to particularly focus on how food has been a site of colonization, strength, and resurgence in Catawba Nation and many other indigenous communities. While the class will focus on the specifics of Catawba history it will give you vocabularies and understandings to begin learning about colonialism in other contexts and other landscapes. This class is open to all ages although there will be frank discussions of colonial violence.
COME TO YOUR SENSES - CHARITY CIMARRON
In this class we will use playful, somatic practices to discover just how sensitive our senses can be! We will explore our world and our bodies from new perspectives with blindfold games, tracking activities, and cooperative, experiential play.
Sensation is the language of the body, and tuning into our senses can be a vitally important practice for staying connected to ourselves and to the world around us. Nature connection can also help us find more capacity for all that we are carrying, and help us develop resilience in this fast-paced world. This class will be a practice in slowing down and tuning in.
Come prepared to get dirty! This class may not be fully accessible for those with mobility devices, but there will be activities for folks of all abilities.
-Charity Cimarron (they/them) is an educator and somatic practitioner. They have been teaching nature awareness and ancestral skills to adults and children for 14+ years. They recently completed a 3-year training with Somatic Experiencing International, and have a private practice in Asheville, NC.
BEHELD RITUAL ARTS (@beheldritualarts) - somatic coaching, ritual support, ancestral craft
CREATING CLOTH FROM KUDZU VINE - NICA RABINOWITZ
Learn to partner with one of the most misunderstood and abundant vines in our region, kudzu. We will discuss the retting process and work with the bast fiber from kudzu vines to weave our own kudzu cloth. We will also cover creating our own basic loom from found materials and traditional and nontraditional methods for working with kudzu fiber.
FLINTKNAPPING - JAMES CLINKSCALES
In this class we will learn how to make an arrowhead or spear point from natural materials. Practice shaping and sharpening techniques for stone points and blades.
We will use flint, obsidian, chert, stone and antler to manufacture a usable blade or projectile points. Make an effigy to wear as adornment or primitive bling!
FUNGI FORAGING - NICHOLAS PARKER
This class will discuss the basics of fungi foraging. We will go over basic identification and location. Expect to walk.
GROW SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS ON LOGS PART 2 (ALL DAY) - MADISON WRIGHT
Shiitake mushrooms are a nutritional and medicinal powerhouse, especially when grown outside on logs with real (but preferably dappled) sunlight. Shiitakes have been cultivated on logs in Japan for centuries since they were discovered in the forest and befriended by the humans there. We will take some time in the morning covering the mushroom lifecycle and the origins of shiitake cultivation, then we’ll get hands on and work together as a team to inoculate fresh oak logs with shiitake mushrooms and everyone will take home a log that will produce shiitakes for years! We will be using a drill or angle grinder as well as a camping stove and hot wax but there are plenty of tasks so we can work together as a team with everyone working where they're comfortable.
HAIR-ON BRAIN TANNING - JADE BIRD
If you identify as a human, you have ancestors that practiced the art of hide tanning. Across the globe indigenous peoples have used animal hides to meet many of their needs and thrive. In this class we will honor and explore the ancient and all natural method of brain-tanning fur hides.
Each participant will start with provided skins, leave class with a fully tanned fur and learn the skills necessary to continue this practice on their own. All hides are ethically sourced from roadkill or being wasted by hunters/butchers/farmers and the available type will depend on what we have found, but will include groundhogs and squirrels and potentially others!
This will be a THREE PART class starting Thursday afternoon and going all day Friday. Materials fees start at 15$ for the small furs and go up from there. We are negotiable to trades - just ask us!
Anyone who wants to come, watch, learn, or discuss but NOT leave with a hide of their own are welcome anytime, regardless if the class is full. Anyone who wants to bring their own hide to work on are welcome to attend for no materials fee and are encouraged to visit Dead Cat Camp and talk to Jade or Leeland ahead of the first class session on Thursday afternoon to discuss their project.
HAND DRILL FRICTION FIRE - LUKE MCLAUGHLIN
Rubbing two sticks together. Sounds easy, looks easy, and it CAN BE EASY! Come and learn the secrets of hand drill fires. We will talk about wood selection, physical technique, troubleshooting, prayer and ancestors and the dedication it takes to learn such ways.
HERBAL FIRST AID 101 - ELISE DAMILATIS
An introduction to herbal first aid. We will cover my core favorite first aid plants and how they can be used for a variety of first aid scenarios. I will bring my first aid kit to unpack together and pass around. We will do a short plant walk at the end of class to meet some of the plants we have discussed.
MAKING BUFFALO LEATHER SHOULDER BAGS- ALL DAY CLASS - JASON DREVENAK
BUFFALO AND BUCKSKIN LEATHER BAGS
Don’t have enough space to haul around your primitive skills and bushcraft stuff?? A shoulder bag is the must have piece of gear for all of us bush folk. Learn how to design, size, layout, punch out and assemble your own shoulder bag from Walnut Dyed Buffalo leather and buckskin.
Materials cost, x-small $12, small $18, medium $ 30, large $40, x-large $55.
Leather and leather working tools will also be available for sale.
Please bring a chair if you have one.
12 people max
NATURAL WORLD RELIEF PRINTS - BUBBLES CUCKOO
In this exploratory class we will look at a few different ways that we can use plants to make relief prints. We will go on a brief nature walk to look for goodies to bring back that we can use to ink and print textures and patterns. Afterwards I will give a quick demonstration on carving printing blocks with various materials including wood and potatoes. We can explore combining found objects with these newly created designs to make our art. I will have several types of paper available, as well as several store bought and natural ink options. Some of the inks are suitable for printing on fabrics if you want to bring your own garments to print on. Please wear clothes that you don't mind being permanently stained.
PERMACULTURE 101 WALKABOUT - WADE BURLEY
Permaculture design is inspired by and based upon natural systems and cultures that live close to the earth. This class introduces the concepts and principles of Permaculture, as we walk about the landscape observing them in action.
PERVASIVE FREEFORM BASKET MAKING - WENDY DAVIS
As per Nancy Basket’s request, this class, formerly known as invasive basketry, was renamed using the word Pervasive.
Pervasive: (especially of an unwelcome influence or physical effect) spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people. (Oxford languages)
This will be a hands-on workshop where each person attending can learn a real skill using wild vines to create their own freeform basket. Baskets have been pivotal throughout time in enabling people to harvest and carry different things from place to place. And freeform baskets are one of the foundational ways we can begin our soon to be long personal story with basket making.
We will use kudzu vines, learning which ones will split or bend best. Places to harvest. How to build a frame and possibly handle. And then how to let go and let the vines tell us where they fit in to finish our form.
Yet another great way to change our perspective of the world around us. Instead, learning the positive attributes and uses of something most others see as harmful or invasive. With these new perspectives, can we start making an impact on the world around us for the better.
Discussions throughout class may include other medicinal and edible uses of kudzu and other uninvited viney plants. The horrors of the pesticide industry and what is actually doing to our planet. Possible other options of control of these plants. How winning is all about a positive perspective and patience. And maybe more. Story time about perspectives is highly likely.
Materials $10.00
Please bring a knife and pruners
PLANT FAMILY PATTERNS: THE KEY TO SEE - MARC WILLIAMS
Plant Family Patterns can greatly aid in demystifying the “green wall” of species around us. Over 400,000 species of flowering plants are known to global science. These species have been grouped into around 15,000 genera and over 400 flowering plant families. About 200 flowering plant families grow in the temperate world where it annually frosts and or freezes. You will know something significant about the majority of plants that you see in the temperate world if you learn the top 30 families around you. It is often possible to guess whether a plant is edible, medicinal, or poisonous simply by the family it occupies. However, some exceptions are important to know as well. We will engage in a walk and talk around the Firefly Gathering grounds where we will delve into the major plant families of the Southern USA. Students will reinforce plant identification skills by observing family patterns such as leaf, flower and fruit types. Uses including edibility, medicinality, craft, wildlife promotion and landscape beauty will be discussed. Participants will gain a more holistic understanding of the major plants comprising the Southern US flora and their potential ecological and ethnobotanical applications.
PRIMAL EMBODIMENT ARCHERY - ALEXANDRA TAIT
Primal Embodiment Archery- We will warm up with stretches and some qigong to connect with our bodies and limber up. An explanation of equipment and a lesson on basic archery form. When everyone has the basics down we will go deeper into the art of archery as a profound focusing tool and embodiment practice. We will allow the arrow to be an extension of our healthy predator power. We will have an opportunity to own our internal predator nature and learn to be conscious and safe with our power. It is when humans are unconscious of their power that the most damage is done. Meet me on the grass and get into your body and your presence with a bow. Age 9 and up. We will use low poundage composite recurve bows for this class.
PRIMAL PLAY - ELIJAH STRONGHEART
Games we play to learn skills and stay young. Move like an animal, adapt and thrive. Organizing situations which give us an opportunity to explore creativity. Shifting strategies to meet the demands of a shifting environment. Come play! Ages ten and up
RADICLE PERMACULTURE DESIGN FOR URBAN TRANSFORMATION - JUSTIN VETTEL
Radicle (răd′ĭ-kəl) - The part of a seed (plant embryo) that becomes a root.
Cities are changing, and permaculture is on the rise. Right now is a unique time in history for Permaculture designers to connect with developers and municipalities to change the way their cities grow. A lot of people still don’t know what permaculture means; by using the tools available to a designer, in very public spaces, we can show people in a tangible way that sustainability can be accessible to anyone.
Frequently, the idea of permaculture brings to mind backyard food forests with swales and tons of mulch everywhere. Sometimes though, in a city, these ideas are challenged in novel ways. This class aims to broaden our ideas about what permaculture can look like as well as offer ideas on how we can use the Permaculture principles in different ways.
This class is best suited for those who have a basic understanding of Permaculture, though all folks interested in practicing Permaculture principles are welcome.
REGENERATIVE LIFE DESIGN - KERI EVJY
Holistic designer and author Keri Evjy will be facilitating this interactive community workshop leaning into Nature's intelligence to design a more integrated, connected and joyful life. Come to this interactive intro class to discover your strength of connection to nature and holistic health and learn your life's regenerative capacity. This introductory conversation is suitable for people going through a life transition and also for folks seeking to optimize their energy, biorhythms, resilience, and vitality. In person meditation, somatic exercises, experiential learning. Bring curiosity and illumination to daily habits and patterns.
RITUALS OF RESILIENCE - SARAH HAGGERTY
Explore earth rituals/gentle life-affirming practices that help with moving stuck emotions and addressing emotional disturbance. This class continues themes from Wednesday's class on the Nature of Resilience. Attendance in the previous class is not required. We will move beyond metaphor and shift into practice. This course explores ways to experience the living landscape as an ally. We will explore meditation, movement and direct sensory perception. Come ready to share, to bring your life questions and stories into the landscape and to engage in embodied ceremony.
SEED SAVING - CHLOE LIEBERMAN
Seeds are miraculous little bundles of memory and possibility steeped in patience and courage. We rely on them for every single thing that we eat, and yet most of us rely on anonymous seed growers, large and small, to produce the seeds we plant and consume. As smaller-scale home gardeners, we can grow and save our own high-quality seeds, and even select for traits that we want. Learn about plant sex, the global industrial seed complex, and the basics of how to grow your own seeds to plant and share. Chloe has planted, tended, and harvested thousands of seeds over more than a decade of food growing. She relates to them from both a scientifically structured and a mythologically enchanted sense of awe and respect.
THE ART OF INTIMACY (NVC) LEVEL 2 - STEVE TORMA
For those with some familiarity with Nonviolent Communication. Using NVC Dance Floors and Somatic Experiencing to move from pain to compassion, from the illusion of conflicting needs to finding win/win strategies, from grasping for approval to deep inner peace, and from negativity to the natural joy of life. With the former president of Earthaven Ecovillage and co-founder of The REAL Center.
THIS IS NOT YET A TORTILLA - MATT HANSEN
come learn how to make hominy, the precursor to masa, the base for such delicious things as tortillas, tomales, and pupusas. oh yeah, and we'll make 'em and feast hard.
TIMBER FRAMING - BARRON BROWN
Come and learn about the ancient and useful art of timber framing.
TRAPS, SNARES, AND DEADFALLS - SPENCER TWO DOGS
Knowledge of primitive traps builds proficiency with cordage, knives and carving, as well as understanding the land and cycles of the Earth. This class will cover ways to acquire food and overlaps with security considerations for the wilderness wanderer. Students will learn legal and ethical considerations, safety, and creative ways humans have existed in natural settings - especially southern Appalachia!
TWISTED TAPERS - BEESWAX CANDLE MAKING - JT STOKES
*This class will be dipped twists/swirls only.*
Come learn the basics of pouring & dipping 100% beeswax candles.
We’ll discuss crucial temperature ranges, safety, and calculating burn time. This workshop will include tips for selecting your wax-to-wick ratio and avoiding surface imperfections. I’ll also cover essential tools and low-waste strategies for this craft.
We’ll talk about tips for pouring blemish-free, single-pour candles in indoor kitchens. Our main focus will be dipping taper candles.
Each attendee will make one swirled candle.
WILLOW PACK BASKET (PART 2 OF 6) - TYLER LAVENBURG
Welcome fellow Willow enthusiasts! In this three-day class we will be using locally grown European basket willow to weave up some fine pack baskets. We will be using whole round shoots of willow varieties selected over centuries for ideal industrial strength baskets. Day one we will cover growing, propagating, harvesting, and preparing material, while weaving our bases and locking our spokes in place. Day two we will weave up the body. Day three we will turn down the rim and add a foot. WE WILL NOT MAKE STRAPS IN THIS CLASS! You will learn several different weaves including twining, randing, slewing, waling, and learn everything you need to know to replicate the process. This class is a full three days! Materials fee $100.
WORKING WITH BONE, AN OVERLOOKED GIFT - NEEDLES - JOSH BARNWELL
Bone has met material needs for peoples around the world since time immemorial. Harder and sharper than wood, less brittle than stone, bone meets a material niche in ancestral skills and working with it helps us connect with the greater gifts of our animal kin. During this class we will select appropriate bone pieces to shape into beautiful, functional, needles.
Minimal close contact required, mask at your discretion
CHI GUNG AND PLANT SENSING (7:30-9 AM) - JEANNIE MCKENZIE
Celebrate our connection with the earth, and the depth of understanding that comes through the plant world with Chi Gung and Plant Sensing classes. The chi gung practice takes movements from ancient medical chi gung practices and focuses the understanding of the gathering and movement of energy in a new way. As we practice, guided imagery and actual images bring our presence into awareness of our larger, eternal energetic structure. From this expanded field, and with additional instructions, we tune into the plant world. We then set timers for 10 minutes, head out (or already be outside if you can be) and come in after the 10 minutes to share our significant messages and experiences.
"INVASIVE" PLANTS AND HOW TO USE THEM - HAZEL AKA SQUIRREL AKA RYAN GINSBURG
Deepen your relationship to the plants that arrived to this landscape with colonialism by understanding their traditional and modern uses. Move beyond the binary of "invasive plant eradication" or turning a blind eye, by engaging them as you would a member of your community. This class will be part discussion and part plant walk. Bring a jar if you can for english ivy detergent!
ACROYOGA - AARON TREMPER
All levels, all ages, partner acrobatics class. A variety of standing and ground based work.
ALTAR OF THANKSGIVING - JULIA O. BIANCO
The class will gather in a circle, and collectively will read the chapter "Allegiance to Gratitude" from Robin Wall Kimmerer's "Braiding Sweetgrass." We will then discuss the content of the reading, exploring themes of ritual and belonging, and reflect on the Thanksgiving Address or The Words that Come Before All Else. This section will last at least an hour. We will then engage in an exercise on Nature journaling, exploring concepts surrounding Animism. In this section, participants will create a piece of writing focusing on an element that they find in their explorations, giving it full acknowledgment and showing gratitude. This section takes about 30 minutes. We will gather again and share our works, listening to others' reactions. Finally, participants are invited to collectively create an Altar of Thanksgiving with their poems and elements found onsite, following the agreements of the Honorable Harvest. This Altar could potentially exist for one day or until the end of the event.
AN ESSENTIAL HERBAL FORMULARY FOR FAMILY & FRIENDS - CAMERON STROUSS
When utilizing herbal medicines it can be difficult to know what herbal medicines you should have around. What should you focus on? What might you, your friends, and your family need for common complaints?
Join Clinical-Functional Herbalist Cameron Strouss as she helps you narrow down the list of must-haves to the essential few so that you can support yourself and your people when they need it most.
Topics Include some herbal first aid, and we will cover specific herbs, dosages, and uses. Handouts provided.
ARCHERY LESSON AND SHOOT - ALEXANDRA TAIT
Traditional Archery Lesson and Shoot. We will stretch, go over equipment, maybe talk some archery lore, learn form and shoot arrows. We will use fiberglass composite recurve bows and wooden arrows shot into straw bales. Ages mature 8 and up.
BEFORE FIRE BY FRICTION: 1 MATCH AND FERRO ROD FIRE. - FUZ SANDERSON
You have one match left! How can you make it count? What about the Ferro Rod you see in survival scenarios? Maybe you have made a fire-by-friction - how can you ensure that your fire will stay lit? This class will show you how to gather materials from the natural landscape and show you tips and tricks for success to assure you can light and maintain a fire. Limit 15 people, Age 13 and above. Ferro Fire Rod available for purchase.
BIOCHAR FOR SOIL AND PLANET HEALTH - ALEX GRAY
Learn all about biochar! Biochar can be made from waste wood and is a powerful soil regeneration tactic. We'll talk about what biochar is, some of its physical and chemical properties, various methods of making biochar, and how it can be used both in regenerating soils as well as a few other contexts. We will do a small burn to demonstrate the basics of small to medium scale biochar production. We will also talk about how it fits into the greater context of ecosystem and soil restoration as well as climate change mitigation. You can take some biochar home with you when we finish!
BLACKSMITHING FREE-FOR-ALL - TOD KERSHAW
Choose from a variety of blacksmithing projects such as decorative (and functional) hooks, bracelets, utensils such as spoon or ladle - or something else of your choosing that is reasonable for this class. Knives, axes, things like that are not reasonable for a quarter day class. Each participant will get half the class period at the forge.
PLEASE WEAR CLOSED TOED SHOES
BOWL CARVING- ALL DAY - BARRON BROWN
Come and learn how to carve a wooden bowl with hand tools with Barron Brown.
Bring a sharp knife.
Age limit: 12 and older unless accompanied by an adult.
BUCKSKIN SEWING - BELT POUCH (PART 1 OF 2, ALL DAY CLASS) - RAIN HALL
This is an All DAY (morning and afternoon) hands on buckskin sewing and crafting class. Take home your own laced buckskin belt or hip pouch!
Learn the basic skills for cutting into a hide with confidence!
Including but not limited to:
- Get to know buckskin. What is it? How is it made, and how do we use it to make cool crafty things?
- Basic patterning skills and how they apply to the unique fiber of hides
- Make your own pattern or use one of the styles provided
- Cutting thong for buckskin lacing
- Learn how to use an awl and why??
- Buckskin sewing stitches! Like the "all that's needed", the "how to be fancy" and maybe a touch of a nice edging stitch!
All tools needed will be provided.
All skill levels welcome.
Materials fee includes hand softened and smoked buckskin made by me. Price varies by size of project.
Age limit: 15
CHICKEN BUTCHERING - ELISHA BIXLER
Have you always wanted to raise your own source of meat and butcher it yourself? This is a great way to be more connected with your food source and manage how it’s raised. We’ll start by going over what you’ll need and the types of chickens that are typically raised for meat. Most of the class will be spent butchering a live chicken with plenty of opportunity to get your hands dirty in the process. This will be done in the respectful context of interdependence.
COPPER SMITHING WILDERBLING - GRANT ADKISSON
Forge Copper to create a unique adornment such as a Bracelet, Blanket Pin, Hair sticks, Key Chain or Pendant. We will forge large gauge copper wire or copper sheet to create useful and unique items that look beautiful and serve a functional use. Learn how to shape and decorate copper with the appropriate tools and how to improvise with what you have on hand to take scrap items and transform them into something new. Learn some of the fundamentals of forging without the stress of hot steel and apply your own artistic touches to your piece.
Materials Fee but no one turned away for lack of funds
CULTIVATING SELF-TRUST TO REPAIR OUR WORLD - SHIRA SAMEROFF
Current and historic conditions lead us to lose trust in our inner knowing at a tender, young age. We're inundated with messages that our deepest knowings are not to be trusted. This comes in various ways depending on the ancestral and current oppressions we live with. Yet in our current world, we all experience this painful disconnection from ourselves that is deeply harming us individually and to our collective whole.
We don't have to live with this separation from ourselves and each other anymore. Our earth is longing for us to. We get to remember that there is overflowing knowing inside each of us, alive and whole and eagerly waiting us to honor and heed. You can deepen trust in yourself so you can bring forth your fullest gifts and live your fullest life! Join me for this supportive workshop to more deeply inhabit your most aligned, empowered self.
DIVE IN THE HIVE- HANDS-ON BEEKEEPING - CHARLIE OAK
ANYONE WITH KNOWN SEVERE REACTIONS TO HONEY BEE STINGS IS ASKED TO NOT ATTEND THIS CLASS.
YOU MAY GET STUNG. PREPARE ACCORDINGLY.
VEILS AND ONE SIZE FITS ALL NITRILE GLOVES ARE PROVIDED. SMALL HANDS? Bring small gloves (NOT BLACK)
YOU BRING—> A HAT (Needed for the veil! This is very important) PANTS, LONG SLEEVE SHIRT, SOCKS AND CLOSE-TOED SHOES. AVOID DARK COLORS IF POSSIBLE
PLEASE ONLY ATTEND THIS CLASS ONCE TO ALLOW OTHERS THE CHANCE TO ATTEND AND LEARN
This is a hands-on beekeeping class for beginner and intermediary beekeepers, whether you have a hive now or plan on getting one in the future. We will discuss basic Hive inspection protocol, how to gauge the health, growth, and present state of your super-organism, specifically for Western North Carolina environments. We will discuss classic bee behavior signs that can be the difference between a fun hive inspection and a very painful hive inspection. After we conceptualize, we will get into a bee hive or two or three together and get answers to all those burning questions you have.
Bring your notebooks, people, it’s time for a knowledge storm.
Long live the Bees! And their Keepers!
ECO-PRINTING WITH NATIVE PLANTS - KELLY GASKILL
Eco-printing is the process of transferring leaf and flower images onto fibers. In this class you'll learn which plants to use, techniques for capturing form and color, optimal fibers to print on, and more. It's kind of like natural dyeing but different. Come get creative and learn something new about plants!
FRUIT VINEGAR FROM SCRATCH AND FIRE CIDER MAKING - WENDY DAVIS
We will talk about gut biomes and how they are often not given the respect they deserve in keeping the rest of our bodies healthy. Stories of cultural uses and production and the world. Together we are going to start our own apple cider vinegar mother to take home! And then diving in to what is fire cider and how to make it and make our own to take home. Two yummys to share with others!
Wendy has been making her own vinegars, meads, kombuchas, krauts and other naturally fermented foods for well over a decade now. Only recently has she begun learning to use packaged yeasts.. Ask about the exploding volcano mead. Sigh.
Vinegars and Fire ciders are a great way we can produce a good immune boosting medicine at home with ingredients we can grow.
“Make your food your medicine, and your medicine your food” - Hippocrates
Cost of class includes ingredients, containers, resources, time obtaining materials and two different final products to take home!
$40.00
Max class size: 15
HAIR-ON BRAIN TANNING (PART 2) - JADE BIRD
*This is a continuation - new students will not be provided with hides*
If you identify as a human, you have ancestors that practiced the art of hide tanning. Across the globe indigenous peoples have used animal hides to meet many of their needs and thrive. In this class we will honor and explore the ancient and all natural method of brain-tanning fur hides.
Each participant will start with provided skins, leave class with a fully tanned fur and learn the skills necessary to continue this practice on their own. All hides are ethically sourced from roadkill or being wasted by hunters/butchers/farmers and the available type will depend on what we have found, but will include groundhogs and squirrels and potentially others!
This is a THREE PART class that started Thursday afternoon and going all day Friday. Anyone who wants to come, watch, learn, or discuss but NOT leave with a hide of their own are welcome anytime, regardless if the class is full. Anyone who wants to bring their own hide to work on are welcome to attend for no materials fee and are encouraged to visit Dead Cat Camp and talk to Jade or Leeland anytime to discuss their project!
HOLISTIC GARDEN PLANNING - CHLOE LIEBERMAN
Thoughtful planning can help you and your garden thrive. On the flipside, growing a garden that's too big, crops that aren't right for your conditions, or planting things at the wrong time can lead to struggle and disappointment. Learn about important questions to explore as you prepare to plant a garden, what to plant when, how much of different veggies you might actually need to grow, simple approaches to succession planting, crop rotation, and companion planting, and begin to map out your garden with supportive guidance. Chloe has been passionate about growing food for 20 years, including eras of producing about 80% of what she ate. She's excited to share her successes and failures so that your learning curve might be smoother.
INTRO TO SOLAR ENERGY & OFF GRID POWER SYSTEMS - MATTHEW BENNETT
We will discuss passive solar, solar thermal and solar electric power systems. Solar ovens, solar water pumps and a functioning solar PV (electric) system with battery storage will be available for hands-on interaction. The class will learn the components and design process of off-grid solar systems for independent and remote energy production. Basic strategies for integrating solar energy, thermal mass and super-insulation into residential and agricultural structures will be offered.
MAKING BUFFALO LEATHER SHOULDER BAGS- ALL DAY CLASS - JASON DREVENAK
BUFFALO AND BUCKSKIN LEATHER BAGS
Don’t have enough space to haul around your primitive skills and bushcraft stuff?? A shoulder bag is the must have piece of gear for all of us bush folk. Learn how to design, size, layout, punch out and assemble your own shoulder bag from Walnut Dyed Buffalo leather and buckskin.
Materials cost, x-small $12, small $18, medium $ 30, large $40, x-large $55.
Leather and leather working tools will also be available for sale.
Please bring a chair if you have one.
12 people max
OUR RESONANT BODIES - CHARITY CIMARRON
Nature is full of noises. Every creature resounding with its own particular voice, and each voice defined by the vessel that shapes it.
Our voices can be a direct route towards understanding and healing our relationships with our bodies. Exploring and tracking the ways our bodies can hold onto events and stories from our past can, in kind, support us in finding our voices.
In this class we will explore our voices with varied vocalizations and songs, while attending to the language of our bodies with somatic practices.
-Charity Cimarron (they/them) is a songleader, musician, educator and somatic practitioner, and has been studying trauma healing, and embodied activism for the past few years.
They recently completed a 3-year training with Somatic Experiencing International, and have a private practice in Asheville, NC.
BEHELD RITUAL ARTS (@beheldritualarts) - somatic coaching, vocal coaching, ritual support, and ancestral craft
OYSTER MUSHROOMS IN YOUR KITCHEN OR GARDEN - MADISON WRIGHT
Oyster mushrooms are delicious, nutritious, easy to grow and can be a beautiful part of a home/farm recycling and composting system. Learn how to grow oyster mushrooms at home on things you probably already have lying around. Also learn to clone a wild oyster in the woods near your home to cultivate mushrooms at home that are native to your bio-region. We will also discuss techniques for cultivating larger amounts of mushroom in buckets and on logs outdoors. We will get hands on and everyone will leave with spawn to start growing at home right away!
PAWPAW FRUIT TASTING AND TREE CARE - SEREN PETRICHOR
Come and taste the wonder that is Pawpaw fruit! They are often described as a blend of banana, melon, coconut and pineapple with a custard like texture. Pawpaw fruits are a wonder that have been nearly lost to American culture. They are native from northern Florida to Oklahoma to Canada and yet most people have never heard of them. They have now spread around the world and have been used in mead, ice cream, pies, beer and much more! It's not too late to bring back a magical, delicious and nutritious indigenous fruit to North America and into your backyard. Learn about pawpaw planting, pollination, varieties, seed care, mead making, preserving, companion planting, and bringing trees to successful and abundant harvest.
Will have a limited amount of fruit for tasting and pawpaw trees for sale during the class. Class may include some walking to see Pawpaw trees on the property.
PLANT FAMILIES & THEIR EDIBLE AND MEDICINAL USES - COREYPINE SHANE
If you can learn how to identify the top ten plant families you will know at least something about 70% of the plants you see. Knowing plant families helps you positively identify a plant, it also gives you a head start on knowing what the edibility and possible medicine of the plant could be. This is going to be a slow plant walk - stopping at looking at plants, using all of our senses to key in to specific characteristics of each plant.
PLANTS ON FIRE! - OUR LOCAL PLANT FIRE ALLIES - LUKE MCLAUGHLIN
Southern Appalachia is damp, dark and wet...a hard place to summon fire from our local landscape, or is it?! Hidden in our deep dark coves are special plant friends who hide the secrets of fire within themselves, and if you learn how to listen, they might share their secrets with you. Join us in this plant walk where we will examine our local landscape and find all of the best ingredients for fire making: Tinder, fuel, combustible oils, coal extenders, and friction fire materials, we will find it all!
POETIC SPACES - NICHOLAS GRAHAM
Poetry is a way to process emotions, tell stories, transcribe imaginations, and is a way to transform how we move through space.
In this class we'll talk about what Poetry is through the lens of Permaculture design. Participants will become familiar with the basics of permaculture, poetical writing devices, improvisation, and how these can inspire one another.
If you have a writing device and paper, please bring it. If not, I'll have some extras to share :)
PRIMAL PLAY - ELIJAH STRONGHEART
Games we play to learn skills and stay young. Move like an animal, adapt and thrive. Organizing situations which give us an opportunity to explore creativity. Shifting strategies to meet the demands of a shifting environment. Come play! Ages ten and up
RECONNECT, ACKNOWLEDGE, AND CULTIVATE COHERENCE WITHIN AND WITHOUT BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT - LESLI SHOOTER
This session will include a brief introduction to the history of yoga, an overview of the physiological and psychophysiological response to yoga, as well as precautions during practice. After the overview, we will have an applied session including breath work, meditation, warm up, active flow, and cool down. The session can be modified for all levels. We will conclude with reflection and debriefing.
RITUAL ASTROLOGY: COURTING THE GODS OF TIME - FRANK SALZANO
In this class we will develop an understanding of how to deepen our ritual lives through honoring the animate planetary deities of time that pre-industrial/pre-enlightenment human beings related so intimately with and so much of ancient human culture interfaced with. We will explore traditional Indo-European and Semetic astrological tools and techniques (Western, Persian, Arabic, Vedic) to support relating well with the human and more-than-world. We’ll lay down some foundations for ritually integrating the many layers of cosmic time we embody down here on Earth, both in your personal developmental timelines (traditional natal chart astrology) and in how those cycles of time interface with our transiting planetary neighbors (planetary transit analysis).
We’ll go practical. We’ll go mystical. We’ll look at some real examples, and share some stories and inspiration. Bring your charts or birth info if you want and we can get intimate and deep. This will be applied astrology at its best.
RIVETING: FULL TANG KNIFE HANDLES - GRAY TAYLOR
Come and participate in a hands-on instructional class that will lead you on a riveting journey through one of the many dimensions of knife handling. During our time in class we shall be riveting together a full tang knife into a southern hardwood handle with a copper/brass rivet set. You will leave with a handled knife and a little more knowledge of life. Knife blanks are hand-forged by the instructor.
We will continue in the afternoon making sheaths for our knives.
In response to the growing call for reparations to BIPOC people in the Earthskills community, I will wave my class fees for any BIPOC person attending my classes.
SHELTER SURVIVAL - JOSH ROBERTS
Survival debris shelter and shelter building- build a debris hut as a group that will keep you warm and dry in the most extreme weather and makes you feel more at home in the woods.
SIMPLE SPOON CARVING - SHAWN KELLY
Learn a simple safe way to carve a spoon. I have this listed as a morning class but I will be free the afternoon if more time is needed to finish your spoon. You need a sharp knife if possible; if not I have a few I can loan out. Adult class, however kids 10yrs and older are welcome if their adult is present the whole time.
SMALL BATCH HONEY HARVEST - ELISHA BIXLER
This is a hands-on honey harvesting class using the crush and strain method. This method is great for a small hobbyist or family operation. We’ll harvest fresh honey straight from hives that gather nectar from black mangrove along the coast of St. Petersburg, Florida. Each participant will be able to taste the honey and take home their own jar at the end of the class.
STICK JIU JITSU - SPENCER TWO DOGS
Many "martial arts" are dangerous in that they can require unnecessary response to aggressive situations resulting in injury or legal consequences. Stick jiu jitsu explores the power of leverage to give students options that limit the use of force while remaining effective at stopping potential violence. Walking sticks, tools, short sticks, even toothbrushes and pocket sticks are allowed in many places and during travel across borders. Students should expect contact and touch as well as discomfort. We will observe consent and boundaries with great rigor and seriousness while having fun with joint locks, takedowns, and chokes.
THE ART OF INTIMACY (NVC) LEVEL 1 - STEVE TORMA
Staying centered in any situation, moving beyond stalemates with Nonviolent Communication, forgiving others and yourself, hearing the yes behind every no, being flexible without being submissive, expressing anger or disappointment without judgment or blame, and more. With the former president of Earthaven Ecovillage and co-founder of The REAL Center.
THE ART OF NETTING - JACKS GENEGA
Nets are not just for fish. Nets are known for their abilities in tangling and tackling however have various uses in climbing, fastening, defense, and load bearing instruments like hammocks. In this class we will discuss the art of netting and use net needles to create either a gill net or carrier bag.
THE HUMAN JOURNEY - SARAH HAGGERTY
This class explores the developmental journey from before birth to after death. We will share about the many initiations that happen from conception to elderhood and ancestry. This class will include heart teachings, story shares and facilitated inter-generational dialog. You'll get grounded philosophy about what initiation is, where you are in your life journey and how we can help people move through thresholds of change in their lives.
THE JUG SLING KNOT - CHRISTOPHER CRITTER WATTS
Hydration device or ranged weapon? It's both! Learn one of the best ways to carry your water bottle ever invented. Now in conjunction with an optional quick release shoulder strap configured as a sling you will be ready at a moment's notice to hurl objects at great distance. With this easy and versatile system, consisting of only 4 basic knots, you can carry almost any water bottle hands free. Bring a water bottle and rope, paracord, or string. Or, you can purchase some from our stock for a Materials Fee.
Note: if your water bottle does not have even a shallow shoulder beneath its neck ie. A Nalgene, the jugsling will have nothing to hold on to and we will have to resort to making a net bag to hold it, which is more time, skill, and rope intensive at a slightly higher materials fee.
WILLOW AND ASH RIBBED BASKET - ALL DAY CLASS - ZAC FITTIPALDI
A great basket for beginners, starting with our frame of willow hoops. We then can add our ash splints with a simple over one under one pattern. Rounding it off with the tapestry weave. This is a great harvesting basket. This is an all day class.
WILLOW PACK BASKET (PART 3 OF 6) - TYLER LAVENBURG
Welcome fellow Willow enthusiasts! In this three-day class we will be using locally grown European basket willow to weave up some fine pack baskets. We will be using whole round shoots of willow varieties selected over centuries for ideal industrial strength baskets. Day one we will cover growing, propagating, harvesting, and preparing material, while weaving our bases and locking our spokes in place. Day two we will weave up the body. Day three we will turn down the rim and add a foot. WE WILL NOT MAKE STRAPS IN THIS CLASS! You will learn several different weaves including twining, randing, slewing, waling, and learn everything you need to know to replicate the process. This class is a full three days! Materials fee $100.
WOODSLORE, WEEDS, AND USEFUL WILD PLANTS - DOUG ELLIOTT
Whether he’s pointing out poison ivy, pontificating on possums, extolling the virtues of dandelions, telling wild tales, or wailing out a jivey harmonica tune, Doug Elliott is known for his lively storytelling as well as his broad, practical, scientific and cultural knowledge of the natural world. He will be leading a fun, educational ramble around the fields and forests focusing on the useful and interesting wild plants as well as birds, insects and other critters we encounter.
WOOLEN MITTENS - MATT HANSEN
From scrap wool we shall craft a pair of mittens. A class for all sewing skill levels; we will learn patterning and stitches that can be applied to larger projects.
WORKING WITH BONE, AN OVERLOOKED GIFT - CROCHET HOOKS - JOSH BARNWELL
Bone has met material needs for peoples around the world since time immemorial. Harder and sharper than wood, less brittle than stone, bone meets a material niche in ancestral skills and working with it helps us connect with the greater gifts of our animal kin. During this class we will select appropriate bone pieces to shape into beautiful, functional, crochet hooks.
Minimal close contact required, mask at your discretion
A SPACE FOR RAGE: INTRODUCTION TO YOUR CONSCIOUS ANGER - MATTHEW COLOMBO
The purpose of this Rage Space is to change your relationship with the feeling and emotion of anger so you can consciously and productively use the energy and information of anger as an adult in your daily life, without being possessed or overwhelmed by it.
In modern culture, we are deeply conditioned to believe that it is not okay to be angry because, "Anger is one of the negative feelings," and "anger is dangerous, loud, embarrassing, uncivilized." When you learn to own your anger and use it responsibly, you get clarity and can act, take a stand, say no! and yes!, protect yourself and avoid creating victim-drama-stories. Anger is not a design error: we need it to do what we are here on Earth to do.
This Rage Space is a safe learning environment allowing you to reconnect with the adult and archetypal power and intelligence of your anger.
We will be doing work in a large group (maximum 9 participants) and in groups of two or three to discover the power of your anger.
You will feel in this space (anger, fear, joy, and/or sadness) in service of creating more possibility for yourself and others. This is not psychotherapy, or a replacement for it.
Much of this work comes from my training, initiations, and experience in Possibility Management (possibilitymanagement.org, rageclub.mystrikingly.org) and from my everyday experiences with feelings and emotions and those of others.
APPALACHIAN WOODY ETHNOBOTANY - MARC WILLIAMS
Spend a class learning about trees and shrubs. We will go for a plant walk to learn how to identify a woody plant by the leaves, bark and other characteristics. Common and obscure uses for woody plants of the Appalachian flora that may support overall health, well-being and sustenance will also be discussed.
BICYCLE MAINTENANCE 101 - MATTY S
Have you ever had a flat tire? How about gears that wouldn't shift? Brakes that wouldn't stop? Learn the basic maintenance skills that will keep your bike(and you) happily rolling together! This includes weekly maintenance protocol as well as basic repair/ tune up procedures. Tools used will be minimal by design, allowing you to have a skillset that is catered to bike travel/ minimalist living. Bring your bike(if available), or learn on one of ours and get your hands greasy learning how to be more self sufficient and empowered! Lots of time for bike stories and questions. This class is beneficial for all skill levels; beginners with little tool/ repair knowledge up to adept mechanics wanting to learn new techniques.
BOW DRILL FRICTION FIRE - TOM STUTZ
Watch a demonstration of several early drills. Conceptualize the gradual improvements in primitive drills over time and then learn to make a fire by bow drill. Bring a sharp knife.
BOWL CARVING- ALL DAY - BARRON BROWN
Come and learn how to carve a wooden bowl with hand tools with Barron Brown.
Bring a sharp knife.
Age limit: 12 and older unless accompanied by an adult.
BUCKSKIN SEWING - BELT POUCH (PART 2 OF 2, ALL DAY CLASS) - RAIN HALL
This is an All DAY (morning and afternoon) hands on buckskin sewing and crafting class. Take home your own laced buckskin belt or hip pouch!
Learn the basic skills for cutting into a hide with confidence!
Including but not limited to:
- Get to know buckskin. What is it? How is it made, and how do we use it to make cool crafty things?
- Basic patterning skills and how they apply to the unique fiber of hides
- Make your own pattern or use one of the styles provided
- Cutting thong for buckskin lacing
- Learn how to use an awl and why??
- Buckskin sewing stitches! Like the "all that's needed", the "how to be fancy" and maybe a touch of a nice edging stitch!
All tools needed will be provided.
Materials fee includes hand softened and smoked buckskin made by me. Price varies by size of project.
Age limit: 15
CEREMONIAL MEDICINE-MAKING - SARAH LOUISE
What goes into the jar? Light from stars our ancestors knew. Flowers our grandparents grew. Smoke from rosemary plants we tended all year. And we seal it all with song. Plants contain the memory of millions of years of life on Earth. And if we listen closely, our bodies instinctively know how to learn from them. Plants have many cross-species collaborators. With our exquisitely sensitive nervous systems and brilliant minds, surely the human animal is one of their favorites. And we need only look at textiles or architecture from around the world to know how important they are to us too. But the way the western world works with plants has become extractive rather than collaborative, causing immense harm. The plant lore that has been lost and forcibly taken has produced a deep well of grief. Rage and shame too. With such a vast amount of repair and re-learning needed, it is easy to fall into urgency. Ceremony is a cross-cultural human technology that produces rhythms in our lives that are the opposite of the linear, fast-paced culture that this extractive mindset produces. This circle explores ways to create new ceremonial lineages of herbal medicine-making by learning directly from plants themselves. When we show up in our dignity as human animals, this collaborative and devotional approach to herbalism can offer the deep medicine of connection our world needs.
COLLABORATIVE HAND DRILLING - COMMUNAL FRICTION FIRE CREATION - ELIJAH STRONGHEART
Learn to make fire! Learn to coordinate your actions with others to easily accomplish goals! Hand drilling is a beautifully simple way to make fire. And its so much easier when done with collaboration! We will discuss the principles of fire creation, and practice techniques that help accomplish this goal. Then we will practice collaborating with others to build community and support each other as we meet our basic need of fire. There is rhythm to spinning the drill, a rhythm to passing the drill to the next person, a rhythm in supporting and participating. “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together.” - African Proverb
Ages 10 and up welcome.
CONSCIOUS CLOTHING: DESIGN, REPAIR, HAND STITCHING SKILLS AND UPCYCLING - PEACE WEAVER
Let’s play with cloth and clothing. Let’s expand our skills and consciousness. Make something to wear while we discuss the sacredness of clothing, and where it comes from.
Learn to hand stitch and make a small pouch, or other project of your choice. There will be a class mending basket, if you have your own things to repair. And we will have sweaters and jeans to upcycle, and re-design, or bring something of your own, and create new wearables.
Join Master Fiber Artist Lea “peace weaver” for a lively discussion on: What are you wearing, where did it come from, and how was it made? What types of cloth and materials and contents are in your clothes? How do clothes fit, and how do they wear out?
Let’s connect the dots: between micro-plastics polluting our waterways and polyester polar fleece, between bamboo, rayon, and a bunch of chemicals and manufacturing lies. Learn why they put the dry clean labels on, and how to wash your clothes yourself.
Up to 24 students.
Materials $0-$10 depending on what you wish to purchase to include in your project.
DEEP HOLISTIC HEALTH - ELISE DAMILATIS
Often conversations around health are hyper-individualistic, focusing on food and exercise, vitamins and supplements. Let's take a deeper, much more holistic look - are we connected with our bodies? With our human communities? With non-human communities? With the earth? With the spiritual forces we recognize? What do we need as whole humans who are inextricably linked to all other beings in order to truly have deep, holistic health?
This class will be part discussion, part experiential meditation, and hopefully a heart opening, healing, and connective experience!
ECOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY WALK (IF THEY ARE UP WE'LL FOCUS ON MUSHROOMS!) - TODD ELLIOTT
This class will focus on the interconnected nature of organisms and how these relate to our understanding of the world around us. We will explore the plant, fungal, and animal communities, including identification of mushrooms, plants, and other organisms. A deeper understanding of these organisms makes us more effective foragers and land stewards. If mushrooms are up and class attendees are interested we may focus on the world of mushrooms and fungi!
FLINTKNAPPING - JAMES CLINKSCALES
Flintknapping. In this class we will be exploring the indirect percussion method known commonly as using an antler punch. We will also be completing any project we left unfinished or starting a new one. If you already have knapping experience or have had the introduction class, this is an opportunity to take it to the next level!
FORAGING WALK FOR BEGINNERS: FINDING FOOD AND MEDICINE - ROBIN GREENFIELD
Food and medicine is growing freely and abundantly all around us! Learn how to safely and sustainably forage common edible and medicinal plants that most of us pass by daily! Robin will share foraging as a tool to help you deepen your relationship with our plant relatives and reconnect with Earth.
This class is designed specifically for those new to foraging and is accessible to all.
FRUIT VINEGAR FROM SCRATCH AND FIRE CIDER MAKING - WENDY DAVIS
We will talk about gut biomes and how they are often not given the respect they deserve in keeping the rest of our bodies healthy. Stories of cultural uses and production and the world. Together we are going to start our own apple cider vinegar mother to take home! And then diving in to what is fire cider and how to make it and make our own to take home. Two yummys to share with others!
Wendy has been making her own vinegars, meads, kombuchas, krauts and other naturally fermented foods for well over a decade now. Only recently has she begun learning to use packaged yeasts.. Ask about the exploding volcano mead. Sigh.
Vinegars and Fire ciders are a great way we can produce a good immune boosting medicine at home with ingredients we can grow.
“Make your food your medicine, and your medicine your food” - Hippocrates
Cost of class includes ingredients, containers, resources, time obtaining materials and two different final products to take home!
$40.00
Max class size: 15
GROWING AND PROCESSING CAMELIA SINENSIS - ANTHONY TROIA
Camellia sinensis is the source of all tea. Black, green, and white tea are all harvested from the same plant. It is the processing of camellia leaves post-harvest that determines the nature of the finished product. In this class, we will be discussing regenerative methods for Camelia Sinensis cultivation in Western NC. We will also process fresh camelia leaves into black tea, and have a tasting of several varieties of locally produced teas. The teacher, Anthony Troia, has been experimenting with sinensis cultivation and processing in Mars Hill for the past 15 years.
HAIR-ON BRAIN TAN AND SMOKING (PART 3) - JADE BIRD
*This is Part 3 of of a 3 part class*
If you identify as a human, you have ancestors that practiced the art of hide tanning. Across the globe indigenous peoples have used animal hides to meet many of their needs and thrive. In this class we will honor and explore the ancient and all natural method of brain-tanning fur hides.
Each participant will start with provided skins, leave class with a fully tanned fur and learn the skills necessary to continue this practice on their own. All hides are ethically sourced from roadkill or being wasted by hunters/butchers/farmers.
Anyone who wants to come, watch, learn, or discuss but NOT leave with a hide of their own are welcome anytime, regardless if the class is full. Anyone who wants to bring their own hide to work on are welcome to attend for no materials fee and are encouraged to visit Dead Cat Camp and talk to Jade or Leeland anytime to discuss their project.
Friday afternoon we will begin smoking our hides and likely go into the evening, taking turns tending our smoking set up. If anyone from outside of class has finished hides that need smoking, we welcome you to come by and see if we can add it in.
HAND DRILL FRICTION FIRE - LUKE MCLAUGHLIN
Rubbing two sticks together. Sounds easy, looks easy, and it CAN BE EASY! Come and learn the secrets of hand drill fires. We will talk about wood selection, physical technique, troubleshooting, prayer and ancestors and the dedication it takes to learn such ways.
INNOCENT AND FREE TO GET NASTY: SEXUAL OBJECTIFICATION AND WILD EMBODIMENT, A FACILITATED LISTENING CIRCLE - STAR CAMP
This circle is supported and inspired by an article written by black lesbian writer Audre Lorde entitled Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power. Erotic in this sense describes a spectrum of expressing life force energy, the fuel we use to enact everything from our most basic daily tasks to the work involved in creating a human life. In this facilitated listening circle you will be invited to describe your victories and challenges related to feeling both deeply innocent and erotically alive at the same time. Lorde describes the relationship between our erotic energy and systems of oppression, "In order to perpetuate itself, every oppression must corrupt or distort those various sources of power that can provide energy for change...this has meant a suppression of the erotic as a source of power and information within our lives." Shame is the primary tool used in the corruption and distortion of our erotic/life-energy power. Shame is THE thing propping up so many systems of oppression. Queer folks are especially subject to these shame narratives not just in the general form experienced by cis hetero folks, but even more intensely where basic sexual desire is described as evil and one's very life may be threatened for expressing that desire.
Since this is a huge topic, know that this class is intended simply to provide a doorway or general support on the path of a lot of loving self-work within community, family, partners, healers, and mental health professionals. A basic history and outline of the issue at hand will be provided along with facilitated structure wherein individuals will have an opportunity to share and be witnessed by the group, and in smaller break-out groups, in sharing their own experiences. This class is for 18yrs and up and limited to 13 people, it is a closed container, please arrive on time.
Aphieme (she/her) works with the general public in downtown Asheville reading Tarot full time for 7 years. Her passion is bringing radical embodied information to populations that would otherwise not encounter it. She uses a tantric deck (advaita vedanta) whose images are simple cartoon-like images to assist in grounding the rational mind into the unconscious mind buried in the somatic body. You can find her at www.zentarotasheville.com or @eyes_inward IG
INTRO TO ECOSEXUALITY - SARAH BLOSSOM BELZILE
If you’re here at Firefly, you probably get turned on by nature. The Earth is sexy! How can turning towards your erotic self and your love of the natural world, transform and improve your love life, your spiritual life and your daily life? Let’s find an accessible way for you to explore this edgy and yet totally intuitive realm.
Eros is the most primal and transformative impulse in the biology of every creature. Flowers are the way plants make love. The next bird song you hear is probably one mate calling out for another, or even foreplay in the branches. Why do frogs croak and moan so much? They’re quite vocal about their needs and what they have to offer, aren’t they? And yet, we humans often suppress or forget our own genuine, raw, and untamed eroticism.
Furthermore, ecosexuality can be a somatic way to unwind traumatic interpersonal experiences by immersing ourselves in the coherence of the natural world.
During this workshop, we’ll create a consensual and accepting circle for exploring your personal relationship with nature, eroticism and your innermost self. We’ll use breath, movement and your senses to create an eco-erotic play practice for you to learn something about nature, yourself, your desires and how they can serve life and Gaia herself.
INTRO TO SACRED SEXUALITY - STEVE TORMA
After our survival instinct, sexual energy is the most powerful force in the human experience. How do we access and guide this energy? With the heart. And what guides our heart? The overall spiritual purpose of our lives. When all three are combined: sex, heart, and spirit, we can live a deeply satisfying life of service to our ultimate vision. Ideas and practices for improving your physical and emotionally-intimate relationships. With the former President of Earthaven Ecovillage and co-founder of The REAL Center.
LOVE YOUR SOIL - WADE BURLEY
Soil is the new gold. This class is a hands-on introduction to soil from the perspective of a gardener and naturalist, including soil types, life (macro- and micro-organisms) in the soil, and easy low/no cost methods of increasing soil vitality.
MAGICAL MEAD MAKING (ADULTS 21+ ONLY) - GRANT ADKISSON
Magical Mead Making - Fundamentals of Brewing and Cultural Inoculation
Learn to make the rarest of vintages some of your very own Mead or Honey Wine, using fruit, medicinal herbs, spices, and more. Capture the essence of a place and time with your own unique ingredients and savor it months or years from now as your very own special brew! Whether medicinal or purely recreational, we will discuss the varieties and style and some of the history of mead as well as the local cultural customs surrounding this magical brew. Experience a mini Mead Circle and savor the taste of a cold winter day in summer, or the nectar of another time and place in each unique brew as we sample some of the possibilities. Up to 20 participants can join us and watch the demonstration and sample a few of the meads but there will only be enough materials on hand for up to 12 people to brew their own 1 gallon or 1/2 gallon batches to take home with a materials fee of $25-$40 to cover the cost of the raw, (non-alcoholic) materials, and starter brewing setup. Gain your own brewing independence and enjoy your own rarest of vintages at a fraction of the price of store bought meads. Up to 10 1 gallon setups with honey and possibly a few larger batches could be purchased and brewed together in class.
Material fee of $25-$40 for brewing * Donations welcome for samples* *Bring fresh herbs, fruits/juice or wild harvested edibles to contribute to the brew if you feel inspired*
***(THIS CLASS IS FOR ADULTS 21 AND OVER ONLY)*** ***First 12 spots get to brew, more if supplies allow. Come over anyway if you don't get a spot to have a taste and a listen***
MAKING BUFFALO LEATHER SHOULDER BAGS- ALL DAY CLASS - JASON DREVENAK
BUFFALO AND BUCKSKIN LEATHER BAGS
Don’t have enough space to haul around your primitive skills and bushcraft stuff?? A shoulder bag is the must have piece of gear for all of us bush folk. Learn how to design, size, layout, punch out and assemble your own shoulder bag from Walnut Dyed Buffalo leather and buckskin.
Materials cost, x-small $12, small $18, medium $ 30, large $40, x-large $55.
Leather and leather working tools will also be available for sale.
Please bring a chair if you have one.
12 people max
PERIMENOPAUSAL WOMEN'S CIRCLE - NATALIE BOGWALKER
la da da da da.... going through life.... we are in our late 30's and early 40's and finally we are feeling some understanding of what it is to be an adult, to know our bodies, to know ourselves, and then.... BAM....
Perimenopause, a second puberty, and one that lasts just as long and has just as drastic of effects on our hormones, relationships, and life.
It is dangerous in a patriarchal culture to have empowered wise old women allowed and encouraged to speak for the trees, the earth, the children, women who don't care anymore of approval, who are able to speak their minds and hearts. So the culture makes them invisible. Perimenopause is little talked about in a culture that doesn't much like to talk about old women. We are encouraged to hold onto youth as long as possible in order to not disappear ourselves, to be still desired, to still be seen. Perimenopause is not talked about, and then the signs, or symptoms, hit you like a brick wall. Radical change is upon you, and culture has likely left you unprepared.
This facilitated circle is a time for us to feel into and acknowledge the changes in our bodies, hearts, and minds. There will be writing prompts and sharing. Please bring something to write with.
This work is inspired by the works of Sharon Blackie and Christiane Northrup.
PRIMAL EMBODIMENT ARCHERY - ALEXANDRA TAIT
Primal Embodiment Archery- We will warm up with stretches and some qigong to connect with our bodies and limber up. An explanation of equipment and a lesson on basic archery form. When everyone has the basics down we will go deeper into the art of archery as a profound focusing tool and embodiment practice. We will allow the arrow to be an extension of our healthy predator power. We will have an opportunity to own our internal predator nature and learn to be conscious and safe with our power. It is when humans are unconscious of their power that the most damage is done. Meet me on the grass and get into your body and your presence with a bow. Age 9 and up. We will use low poundage composite recurve bows for this class.
RESOURCING OUR COMMUNITIES: GRANT-WRITING, FUNDRAISING, AND ALL THAT OTHER FUN STUFF - ROO GEORGE-WARREN
The world of grant-writing and fundraising - filled with paper, spreadsheets, and dollar signs - may seem like the opposite of Earth Skills, but many people in the Earth Skills world have found them to be necessary. Whether starting an organization, a school, or an earth skills gathering, the ability to resource your project or organization is a real skill. In this workshop I will share my 7 years of grant-writing experience to help you figure out how to qualify, apply, and receive grants. This is an ideal class for someone running or working for an organization, new or old, that needs resources. Participants are encouraged to bring questions (and insights) from their real-world experiences.
RIVETING: BARK TANNED SHEATHS FOR RIVETED KNIVES - GRAY TAYLOR
After we have riveted and sanded our knives we will jump into sheath making!
Sharp tools deserve a good home, this class will be a hands on journey in leather sheath construction using different types of rivets.
In response to the growing call for reparations to BIPOC people in the Earthskills community, I will wave my class fees for any BIPOC person attending my classes.
SPOON CARVING - NICHOLAS PARKER
We will take a piece of wood, and we will make a spoon.
THAI BODYWORK - ERIC BLEVINS
This healing art can be beneficial to both the giver and receiver. It is very interactive and involves a lot of assisted stretching as well as pointed pressure into muscles. We will work on the feet, legs, hips, back, shoulders, neck and head. Please wear clothing that allows for full range of motion and bring a blanket or yoga mat to lay on.
TONING CIRCLE: VOCAL JAM - KENNEDY KENNEDY
Allowing the spontaneous freedom of unhindered expression, we will use our voices to vibrate our bodies. We’ll be guided to sing in a way that deepens the breath, that doesn’t stir the mind with meaning or identity, and that carries us deeper into our present moment. We will begin with gentle breathwork exercises, and soft humming/toning. Gradually we'll explore greater volume and variety of pitch, as well as sound the vowels. We will play with our voices in whatever way feels good, using our sound as a meditation tool. We'll also make sounds of grief and anger that are usually repressed. Harmonizing our spontaneous song with various musical instruments such as~singing bowls, asian harp, handpan, shruti box, flutes etc. we will jump into a free form music jam, with our voices and musical instruments. Participants will also be invited to play with handpan, flute, didgeridoo, guzheng, djembe, shakers, ocean drum, etc. towards the end of class.
Bring drums, shakers, flutes, your voice or just your ears.
UNDERSTANDING THE PISGAH/NANTAHALA FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN - JAZZ MALTZ
This workshop will offer participants the opportunity to
read through the new 30 year Pisgah/Nantahala Forest Management
Plan(FMP). These documents are complicated but have real world
implications on how our public forest lands are being managed. We can
use the FMP to learn about specific areas of interest and the
ramifications of proposed management or logging. Learning about public
lands management can help us understand our own relationship with the
forest. The space will welcome friendly conversation, discussion, and
debate about forest policy, management, and land connection!
WHISK BROOMS - TURKEY WING STYLE - EMILEIGH ZOLA
In this beginner level class, students will craft turkey wing style whisk brooms out of broomcorn hurl. Everyone will make a larger whisk broom and if time allows, materials will be available to make an additional smaller broom.
The skills learned in this class can be applied to other styles of broom-making, and different variations will be discussed.
Moderate hand strength is suggested.
WILLOW AND ASH RIBBED BASKET - ALL DAY CLASS - ZAC FITTIPALDI
A great basket for beginners, starting with our frame of willow hoops. We then can add our ash splints with a simple over one under one pattern. Rounding it off with the tapestry weave. This is a great harvesting basket. This is an all day class.
WILLOW PACK BASKET (PART 4 OF 6) - TYLER LAVENBURG
Welcome fellow Willow enthusiasts! In this three-day class we will be using locally grown European basket willow to weave up some fine pack baskets. We will be using whole round shoots of willow varieties selected over centuries for ideal industrial strength baskets. Day one we will cover growing, propagating, harvesting, and preparing material, while weaving our bases and locking our spokes in place. Day two we will weave up the body. Day three we will turn down the rim and add a foot. WE WILL NOT MAKE STRAPS IN THIS CLASS! You will learn several different weaves including twining, randing, slewing, waling, and learn everything you need to know to replicate the process. This class is a full three days! Materials fee $100.
WORKING WITH BONE AN OVERLOOKED GIFT- AWLS - JOSH BARNWELL
Bone has met material needs for peoples around the world since time immemorial. Harder and sharper than wood, less brittle than stone, bone meets a material niche in ancestral skills and working with it helps us connect with the greater gifts of our animal kin. During this class we will select appropriate bone pieces to shape into awls, a useful tool to further shape our world
Minimal close contact required, mask at your discretion.
BO STAFF AND MEDITATION - SPENCER TWO DOGS
Open the day with breathwork and gentle body movement in the style of Kukishinden Ryu Bojutsu. This 1,000 year old art is a great way to start the day by grounding, rotating, and moving energy through our bodies using the 6 foot staff. Bring your own stick if possible, or, I have extras available in my camp - please stop by to pick one up before class!
CHI GUNG AND PLANT SENSING (7:30-9 AM) - JEANNIE MCKENZIE
Celebrate our connection with the earth, and the depth of understanding that comes through the plant world with Chi Gung and Plant Sensing classes. The chi gung practice takes movements from ancient medical chi gung practices and focuses the understanding of the gathering and movement of energy in a new way. As we practice, guided imagery and actual images bring our presence into awareness of our larger, eternal energetic structure. From this expanded field, and with additional instructions, we tune into the plant world. We then set timers for 10 minutes, head out (or already be outside if you can be) and come in after the 10 minutes to share our significant messages and experiences.
IDENTITY AND CULTURE - CULTURE CAMP
Identity and Culture by Mama Tortuga. Identity is a very complex notion that many Persons of the Global Majority have to wrestle on the daily. Join Johana from Mama Tortuga to have an introspective view to all the nuisances, dangers, cultural messages and more that we are receiving by living mostly in environments that teach and support cultural cliches and stereotypes about what it means to identify ourselves with our cultural and family heritages. This can be a great space to support each other in our discoveries, joys and pains while we learn more about ourselves and what it means to identify and accept our identities as our integral part of who we are.
BAMBOO MEAL KITS - HAZEL AKA SQUIRREL AKA RYAN GINSBURG
In this class we will explore the structure of timber bamboo by making a full meal kit: a cup, a bowl, and chopsticks. Expect many compliments on the line for food and around camp. Bring a sharp knife!
BERRY BASKET - ALL DAY CLASS - ZAC FITTIPALDI
This basket is started at the base with an under one over one, open pattern. Turning up we close the gaps for a nice tight weave. Ending with a sturdy bound border. This is an all day class.
BIOCHAR FOR SOIL AND PLANET HEALTH - ALEX GRAY
Learn all about biochar! Biochar can be made from waste wood and is a powerful soil regeneration tactic. We'll talk about what biochar is, some of its physical and chemical properties, various methods of making biochar, and how it can be used both in regenerating soils as well as a few other contexts. We will do a small burn to demonstrate the basics of small to medium scale biochar production. We will also talk about how it fits into the greater context of ecosystem and soil restoration as well as climate change mitigation. You can take some biochar home with you when we finish!
BIRCH BARK DISTILLATION AND FINE TUNING YOUR HAND DRILL TECHNIQUE - JASON DREVENAK
THIS CLASS MEETS AT 8 AM, WE WILL BREAK FOR MORNING CIRCLE, AND MEET BACK AT THE START OF MORNING CLASS.
This class offering combines two awesome skills in a morning session. Everyone will learn the process of "cooking" the oil out of birch bark to make useful and medicinal oil, glue, fire accelerants, and other useful things. During the time the birch oil is distilling we'll work on refining any part of the process of creating a coal with a hand drill fire kit. Different spindles, fire boards, tinders and techniques will be available to compare and contrast. Feel free to bring your own kit if you have one. Any and all are welcome. Please bring a cutting tool also if you have one.
BOW DRILL FIRE MAKING - JOSH ROBERTS
Come and explore the ancient art of fire by friction and unleash the fire within.
This workshop is a tutorial for all levels of experience in Bow Drill Fire Making. You will be guided in how to make fire by rubbing sticks together. Materials, tools and technical bow drill tips included.
BYOBUCKSKIN SEWING CIRCLE - RAIN HALL
This is a DIY bring your own buckskin sewing project class and sewing hangout. Bring your buckskin, bark-tan, furry hide or other similar project. Ask for advice or seek guidance on patterning, stitching, clothing and more!
All skill levels are welcome.
Bring em if you got them: Awl, Scissors. Otherwise, plenty of tools available for use.
Buckskin Hides, Pieces and Thong will be available for purchase if any extra is needed for your project, or if you would like to come start your own creation you have been dreaming of.
There is no class fee. Materials available for purchase as needed.
Class age limit: 13
COPPER SMITHING WILDERBLING - GRANT ADKISSON
Forge copper to create a unique adornment such as a Bracelet, Blanket Pin, Hair Sticks or Pendant. We will forge large gauge copper wire or copper sheet to create useful and unique items that look beautiful and serve a functional use. Learn how to shape and decorate copper with the appropriate tools and how to improvise with what you have on hand to take scrap items and completely transform them into something new. Learn some of the fundamentals of forging without the stress of hot steel.
Materials Fee is really helpful but no one turned away for lack of funds.
DEEPENING OUR CONNECTIONS - ERIC BLEVINS
An introduction to and discussion of the environmental philosophies/movements of deep ecology, social ecology, ecofeminism and environmental justice as well as mysticism and how they are used to resist systems of oppression and word towards collective liberation.
ECOLOGICAL FOREST MANAGEMENT - JAZZ MALTZ
The workshop will start with a round-table discussion that explores the fundamentals of forest management in southern Appalachia. Topics covered will include land use ethics, forest types, ecology, and stand dynamics. We will also explore how forest succession and disturbance can be studied and mimicked when managing forest lands and different management techniques that can be utilized to support forest health and provide for human needs.
After our conversation we will embark into the woods and explore a variety of forest types and discuss management option for those areas. We will use some basic forest measurements tools and discuss the components for crafting a Forest Management Plan.
FUNGI FORAGING - NICHOLAS PARKER
This class will discuss the basics of fungi foraging. We will go over basic identification and location. Expect to walk.
GROWING AND PROCESSING CAMELIA SINENSIS - ANTHONY TROIA
Camellia sinensis is the source of all tea. Black, green, and white tea are all harvested from the same plant. It is the processing of camellia leaves post-harvest that determines the nature of the finished product. In this class, we will be discussing regenerative methods for Camelia Sinensis cultivation in Western NC. We will also process fresh camelia leaves into black tea, and have a tasting of several varieties of locally produced teas. The teacher, Anthony Troia, has been experimenting with sinensis cultivation and processing in Mars Hill for the past 15 years.
HAND DRILL FRICTION FIRE - TOM STUTZ
With determined focus of your mind and body attempt to coax an ember from two pieces of wood. Connect with our ancient ancestors through the practice of fire by hand drill. Bring a sharp knife and a tenacious spirit!
HERBAL MEDICINE FOR CHILDREN - CAMERON STROUSS
Utilizing herbal medicine with children can be tricky; categorically when kids are feeling under the weather they are not as agreeable to taking medicines that might not taste the best.
Join Clinical-Functional Herbalist and Mom Cameron Strouss as she shares her tips, tricks, hacks, and treats for helping you to create a more healthy and enjoyable interface with your children and their herbal allies.
Topics covered include: Which herbals taste the best and are effective for fevers/stomach upset/and other common children's complaints? How do we get strong garlic preparations into our kids with a smile? How do we hide bad-tasting herbs? If we must resort to bribery what are some healthy forms of reward? Herbal cookies, popsicles, and jello save the day. Handouts provided.
HOLISTIC SURVIVAL - POLYVAGAL THEORY AND HOW WE HEAL - LUKE MCLAUGHLIN
Healing in Nature. Sure it sounds so nice. But how do we actually DO THE WORK? What does it mean to heal in nature? What are some daily practices that can help us heal our bodies, communities, nervous systems and souls? During this class we will be talking about the core routines of Nature connection, the core routines of community connection and the core routines of self connection. We will also discuss Polyvagal Theory to help us understand our animal bodies. Class is free. Donations are accepted.
INTRO TO BLACKSMITHING - TOD KERSHAW
Basic overview of basic blacksmithing using a coal forge and hand tools. We will cover tools, fuels, materials and methods. The aim is that anyone who takes this class will be able to set up a basic blacksmithing operation for themselves.
INTRO TO SOLAR ENERGY & OFF GRID POWER SYSTEMS - MATTHEW BENNETT
We will discuss passive solar, solar thermal and solar electric power systems. Solar ovens, solar water pumps and a functioning solar PV (electric) system with battery storage will be available for hands-on interaction. The class will learn the components and design process of off-grid solar systems for independent and remote energy production. Basic strategies for integrating solar energy, thermal mass and super-insulation into residential and agricultural structures will be offered.
INTRO TO WEST AFRICAN DRUMMING - STEVEN TOWNSEND
We will be practicing traditional rhythms, their history, origin and meaning. Also proper technique and phrasing. All skill levels welcomed. Drums available.
INTUITION FOR SURVIVAL - KORIE AND SEAN KENNEDY
Are you ready to harness the power of your inner guidance system? In this fun interactive class, deepen your intuition and use it to protect yourself in survival situations. We will also cover taking action for self protection when our intuition senses danger.
LEATHER WALLET MAKING - SULLY MARTINEZ
We will be using up-cycled leather to make simple wrap around style wallets or bi-fold wallets.
We will use different styles and techniques of stitching using artificial sinew or leather lacing.
MAKING FIRE WITH FLINT AND STEEL - SHAWN KELLY
Come learn to use flint and steel to make fire just like the mountain men did in the past. I have this listed as an adult class but smaller children are welcome if they are accompanied by an adult
MEDICINAL PLANT WALK - COREYPINE SHANE
Stroll about the grounds here at Deerfields and meet some of the plants that can be used for healing purposes. We will explore fields, wetlands, and possibly even forest ecologies and the plants of those areas. We will learn how to identify, sustainably harvest, and how to actually use these plants for real people with real health issues.
PLANTS, MUSHROOM AND LICHEN OF OUR GATHERING - LUKE CANNON
Let's slow down and tune into the living forest.
Come walk and meet some of the astounding and generous plants, fungi and lichen that make up the natural community of our gathering. We will discuss their Identification, Edible, Medicinal, and other uses and their webs of connection to the greater ecology.
Bring a notebook, and a spirit of curiosity. We'll be diving deep into the verdant, living, wild world.
PRIMAL PLAY - ELIJAH STRONGHEART
Games we play to learn skills and stay young. Move like an animal, adapt and thrive. Organizing situations which give us an opportunity to explore creativity. Shifting strategies to meet the demands of a shifting environment. Come play! Ages ten and up
RESILIENCE AND BELONGING - CHARITY CIMARRON
Our nervous systems are powerful sensing organs that we are only beginning to understand, and the care and keeping of this precious mycelial web is a collective task.
In this class we will discuss the ways that our cultural systems have impacted the nervous systems of some bodies more than others, and how trauma histories influence the interpersonal conflicts that fracture our communities.
We will practice engaging with our somatic responses and learn skills (both physical and mental) to help ourselves stay resilient for the challenging and worthwhile work of creating true belonging for all bodies, including our own. We will utilize our connection to nature to expand our capacity for awareness and growth.
Come prepared to be challenged, to be respectful, to be vulnerable, and to be accountable. This work can be deeply rewarding, if you are willing. We will do our best to create a safe environment, and if you have any needs or concerns around safety or accessibility for this workshop, please let me know (in advance, or during).
-Charity Cimarron (they/them) is an educator and somatic practitioner, and has been studying trauma healing, and embodied activism for the past few years, learning from teachers such as Nkem Ndefo (Lumos Transforms), Rae Johnson (Pacifica Graduate Institute), and the work of adrienne maree brown, Resmaa Menakem, Prentis Hemphill, and the Generative Somatics movement. They have been engaging in and facilitating these kind of discussions within their community for many years, and continue to be amazed and inspired by how much there still is to learn.
They recently completed a 3-year training with Somatic Experiencing International, and have a private practice in Asheville, NC.
BEHELD RITUAL ARTS (@beheldritualarts) - somatic coaching, ritual support, ancestral craft
RIVETING 102: BARK TANNED SHEATHS FOR SHARP THINGS! - GRAY TAYLOR
Sharp tools deserve a good home, this class will be a hands on journey in leather sheath construction using different types of rivets.
Bring a sharp tool to give a dry safe home.
In response to the growing call for reparations to BIPOC people in the Earthskills community, I will wave my class fees for any BIPOC person attending my classes.
SPINNING YARN - PEACE WEAVER
Making thread, cord and yarn is one of the oldest and most primal of human activities. It is also very meditative and relaxing. From hunter gatherers making traps and nets, to Irish fisherman knitting sweaters, all over the world we can find humans making thread; humans and thread go together.
Come and learn to spin thread from raw wool, and then ply it into yarn. Use the drop spindle and try out the spinning wheel. We will discuss how the animal wool is cut, cleaned and combed. Also, different fibers and spinning practices from around the world.
Students will make their own ball of yarn.
Up to 15 students, all ages welcome, under 9 please bring an adult.
Materials $0-$10 depending on what you wish to purchase to continue your project.
SPOON CARVING - BARRON BROWN
Learn how to carve your very own spoon with Barron Brown using just hand tools the old fashioned way. No Firefly Gathering is complete without making a spoon of your very own! bring a sharp knife!
Age limit 11 and older unless parents are present.
STITCHED WHISK BROOMS WITH WOVEN HANDLE - EMILEIGH ZOLA
In this beginner level class, students will craft simple whisk brooms that are sewn flat and use soaked broomcorn stems to create a woven handle.
The skills learned in this class can be applied to other styles of broom-making, and different variations will be discussed.
Moderate hand strength is suggested.
SURVIVAL WARMTH - MATT HANSEN
In most wilderness survival scenarios we humans got roughly 3 hrs before exposure begins to affect the body, making it the number one priority. Get warm (or cool down...), so, we're gonna wander these woods and explore methods of shielding our bodies from the elements. We will discuss important items to bring along any adventure, finding fire, debris shelter, radiation vs. insulation, hearth, working as a group, and PMA (positive mental attitude).
TARP PITCHING/APPLIED KNOTS - CHRISTOPHER CRITTER WATTS
How to turn a basic tarp into a dry place!
We will look at tarp pitching principles and practice some techniques.
This class is best enjoyed with at least a basic knowledge of knots, although we will do a crash course as we go.
You will need:
* blankets, pads or chairs to sit on if u like
* books, rope, or tarps (optional)
* water
* a good attitude
* questions
This class is open to everybody. Children should be accompanied by an adult unless they are old enough to participate by themselves.
THE ART OF INTIMACY (NVC) LEVEL 1 - STEVE TORMA
Staying centered in any situation, moving beyond stalemates with Nonviolent Communication, forgiving others and yourself, hearing the yes behind every no, being flexible without being submissive, expressing anger or disappointment without judgment or blame, and more. With the former president of Earthaven Ecovillage and co-founder of The REAL Center.
TULIP POPLAR BASKETS - DOUG ELLIOTT
Learn how to remove bark from a tree and fashion it into a traditional Appalachian bark berry basket that is attractive, functional, and strong enough to last a lifetime. Bring a sharp knife and a $20 materials fee. (Also if you have them, bring pruning shears, a rotary leather punch, and a pruning saw.)
WILLOW PACK BASKET (PART 5 OF 6) - TYLER LAVENBURG
Welcome fellow Willow enthusiasts! In this three-day class we will be using locally grown European basket willow to weave up some fine pack baskets. We will be using whole round shoots of willow varieties selected over centuries for ideal industrial strength baskets. Day one we will cover growing, propagating, harvesting, and preparing material, while weaving our bases and locking our spokes in place. Day two we will weave up the body. Day three we will turn down the rim and add a foot. WE WILL NOT MAKE STRAPS IN THIS CLASS! You will learn several different weaves including twining, randing, slewing, waling, and learn everything you need to know to replicate the process. This class is a full three days! Materials fee $100.
WORKING WITH BONE, AN OVERLOOKED GIFT - WHISTLES - JOSH BARNWELL
Bone has met material needs for peoples around the world since time immemorial. Harder and sharper than wood, less brittle than stone, bone meets a material niche in ancestral skills and working with it helps us connect with the greater gifts of our animal kin. During this class we will select appropriate bone pieces to shape into beautiful, functional, whistles.
Minimal close contact required, mask at your discretion.
ASYMMETRIC RHYTHMS - SULLY MARTINEZ
Want to get a new swing to your rhythms? Want to challenge yourself to get out of the typical 4/4 rhythm patterns and add a fun stagger to your playing? Then this class is for you! We will be focusing on rhythms that aren't divided evenly, aka "asymmetric." Mostly odd time signature rhythms (with a few exceptions). 3/4, 5/4, 7/8, 9/8 (and an 8 divided into 3/3/2). This class is to get your brain and body out of old habits and build new neural pathways to challenge you and learn new and exciting ways of approaching music. Don't be intimidated. You CAN learn this, even if you're a beginner! And you will LOVE doing so! I do recommend bringing your own drum, or something to beat on. However I will be bringing some extra drums so hopefully everyone who wants to can take the class. I'm going to limit the class to 15, but if the board is full and you REALLY REALLY want to take the class, then come on by.
ATLATL DART MANUFACTURE - JAMES CLINKSCALES
Atlatl dart making! In this workshop we will be making a usable dart for a spear thrower also known as atlatl. We will be using natural materials like rivercane shafts, turkey feathers for fletching and wooden points on the foreshaft.
BEESWAX CANDLE MAKING - JT STOKES
Come learn the basics of pouring & dipping 100% beeswax candles.
We’ll discuss crucial temperature ranges, safety, and calculating burn time. This workshop will include tips for selecting your wax-to-wick ratio and avoiding surface imperfections. I’ll also cover essential tools and low-waste strategies for this craft.
We’ll talk about tips for pouring blemish-free, single-pour candles in indoor kitchens. Our main focus will be dipping taper candles.
Each attendee will dip a taper set (2 candles).
BERRY BASKET - ALL DAY CLASS - ZAC FITTIPALDI
This basket is started at the base with an under one over one, open pattern. Turning up we close the gaps for a nice tight weave. Ending with a sturdy bound border. This is an all day class.
BICYCLE MAINTENANCE 101 - MATTY S
Have you ever had a flat tire? How about gears that wouldn't shift? Brakes that wouldn't stop? Learn the basic maintenance skills that will keep your bike(and you) happily rolling together! This includes weekly maintenance protocol as well as basic repair/ tune up procedures. Tools used will be minimal by design, allowing you to have a skillset that is catered to bike travel/ minimalist living. Bring your bike(if available), or learn on one of ours and get your hands greasy learning how to be more self sufficient and empowered! Lots of time for bike stories and questions. This class is beneficial for all skill levels; beginners with little tool/ repair knowledge up to adept mechanics wanting to learn new techniques.
BLACKSMITHING FREE-FOR-ALL - TOD KERSHAW
Choose from a variety of blacksmithing projects such as decorative (and functional) hooks, bracelets, utensils such as spoon or ladle - or something else of your choosing that is reasonable for this class. Knives, axes, things like that are not reasonable for a quarter day class. Each participant will get half the class period at the forge.
PLEASE WEAR CLOSED TOED SHOES
BOW DRILL FIRE MAKING - JOSH ROBERTS
Come and explore the ancient art of fire by friction and unleash the fire within.
This workshop is a tutorial for all levels of experience in Bow Drill Fire Making. You will be guided in how to make fire by rubbing sticks together. Materials, tools and technical bow drill tips included.
COPPER SPOONS - GRANT ADKISSON
Forge your own unique camp spoon with copper. We will up-cycle some copper pipe, or sheet to create our unique and essential tool for feasting. Apply forging techniques in a low stress and highly satisfying method without the pressure of hot steel and smoke. We can rivet rings to hang from your kit and decorate your piece with simple tools and some artistic inspiration.
DANCING WITH THE LANDSCAPE - ARIS LARA
Tap into the mind of Coyote- feel the rhythm and gait as Kin trots, bounds, and gallops across the lush trails of Appalachia. Feel the stealth and intensity of how Bobcat moves through the brush to secure a meal. Embody the vigilance and courage of Deer, agile and masters of ghosting in the forest.
In this class we will explore quadrupedal locomotion, gaits, moving over and under obstacles, balance, jumping, and playing with camouflage and concealment. As well as connecting and “play-housing” physically with each other.. Dancing with the landscape is a powerful way to build intimacy and access deeper awareness of our natural places and inner landscape. The animals know how to move through the landscape effortlessly, lets tap into our kinfolk and honor them by moving like them.
The history and lineage of these teachings have come to Aris through many years facilitating and studying at the Wilderness Awareness School in WA state. Combined with his own discovery with tools such as Contact Improvisation, Chi Gong, and Parkour, a fun and safe container is created for exploration.
All bodies welcome - however please be aware of your physical limitations for we will be playing, running and jumping around like animals in the forest.
ages 17+
Offered by Dancing Heart Movement Arts (DancingHeart.Org)
DIDGERIDOO MAKING AND PLAYING - FUZ SANDERSON
Fuz Sanderson will teach you how to make and decorate your own bamboo didgeridoo. We'll touch on the rich cultural history of Australian original people, ecology/uses of bamboo and how to use the tools to make your instrument. The class will finish with playing techniques and circular breathing. Please show up on time (or early!) as the first 15 minutes provide crucial information.
Age 13 and above.
Please show up on time!
FIRE - SPENCER TWO DOGS
We will be examining sacred fire; inside us, around us, between us. Building structures for primitive fire making, knife use and safety, materials, reverence, cooking, and friction technique will all be covered. Wood splitting, home heating, and a few interesting side notes will make the class enjoyable for novice and experienced fire builders. This ADAPTIVE ABILITY class is suitable for anyone with limited mobility of any age! The class concludes with no-tracing our site, stealth considerations for long term wilderness living, and hugging some trees.
FUR FREE-FUR-ALL - JADE BIRD
In this class we will explore the many many things you can turn all natural, brain-tanned furs into! All hides are ethically sourced from roadkill or recovered from becoming waste by hunters or butchers. Come make a fluffy bag, a medicine pouch, a bracelet, a wallet, a mug cozie, keychains with a squirrel foot…. You are only limited by your imagination. We will be using buttons, stones, bones, buckskin, and leather for decoration and lacing. Youth ages 12 and up are welcome. Materials fee starts as low as 5$ or more depending on how large your project is. Walk away with a one of a kind project you can cherish for years.
GARDENING FOR YOUR HEALTHCARE - DEANNA ROSE
This Gardening for your Healthcare class will focus on growing herbs, flowers and vegetables that support your specific health. We will discuss beneficial plants, with a big focus on herbs & flowers, that support you in creating a garden especially for the heart, nervous system, womb, colon, brain, and gut health. Within this class, you’ll also be able to begin to map out your garden with these beneficial plants. Also if you don’t have garden space, you can still take this class and see your body as the garden. Creating lists of specific herbs and flowers you can purchase/ trade with local growers to support your healthcare.
HOW TO BREAK FREE FROM THE GROCERY STORE! - ROBIN GREENFIELD
It’s the dream for many of us at Firefly, to “live off the land” and never have to take a trip to the grocery store. In this class, Robin leads from his experience of growing and foraging 100% of his food for a year (even the herbs, oil and salt). You’ll learn how you too can take back power from Big Ag through reconnecting with Earth and deepening your relationships with our plant relatives. (Designed and accessible for people new to this journey).
INTO THE DRUM CIRCLE - STEVEN TOWNSEND
There is etiquette and intention that is needed to create a good drum circle. Drum circles are for bringing people together, participation promotes group unity and teaches us how to take turns leading and following, there are many physical and emotional benefits linked to drum circles.
There is more to drum circles than just playing a drum. As a drummer we have a very important mission, to honor West African culture and to carry on an ancient tradition so that it does not die.
Spare drums available.
INTRODUCTION TO DREAMWORK - SARAH HAGGERTY
Explore dreamwork as an art, science and ritual practice. Find out more about the whats, hows, whys of tending nighttime dreams.This class will include basic foundations such as dream recall and simple dream tending practices that can help you tend and befriend your dreams. We will also explore deeper mysteries of dreams and animistic styles of dreamwork. You are welcome to bring questions and dream shares. Class participants are also welcome to join a Sunday morning dream sharing circle at breakfast where we reflect on dreams from the night before.
MEAD MAKING THE WILD WITCHY WAY WITH WILD YEASTS - WENDY DAVIS
There is a long tradition of Mead making as a way to preserve the harvest or a memory. To ferment and cleanse liquids to be safe for travel. To celebrate and honor the bees that we depend on so desperately and support the hive’s keepers who tend to them. And about the pseudo secret circles, ceremonies amongst friends in the dark, which celebrate the many moments of life as they share the liquids created along the way.
In this class we will discuss the etiquette of mead circles. Then we will talk about the traditional wild ways of creating mead with the yeasts all around us; how to collect and save these yeasts, and even make a mead of our own!
Please bring a small empty cup, clean hands, and water to drink for class.
Sharing is caring except for germs.
Don’t touch the thing to the thing. That’s how things happen!
Materials fee includes samples, ingredients and materials to make a mead. Each participant will go home with their own gallon of started mead! $60.00
Ages 21+ only
MIXED RACE & BI-RACIAL SHARING CIRCLE & GUIDED CONVERSATION - CULTURE CAMP
Mixed Race & Bi-racial Sharing Circle & Guided Conversation with Arulu
This group conversation is for mixed race/ multi- & bi-racial folks to gather with one another to listen & share about our experiences living between worlds. Oftentimes, we might feel we are “not enough” of any particular one of our cultural/racial heritages, we are only “half” this or “half” that, never quite belonging or being fully claimed. But we are powerful bridges of culture, history, & people, oftentimes with a hypersensitivity that is different from monoracial folks. We add a nuance & complexity that is often overlooked in discussions on race, so this circle is for us to lean into those places & hold each other in celebration of our unique identities in a supportive, compassionate, & safe space. Please come at 3 so we can establish the container.
NATURAL WORLD RELIEF PRINTS - BUBBLES CUCKOO
In this exploratory class we will look at a few different ways that we can use plants to make relief prints. We will go on a brief nature walk to look for goodies to bring back that we can use to ink and print textures and patterns. Afterwards I will give a quick demonstration on carving printing blocks with various materials including wood and potatoes. We can explore combining found objects with these newly created designs to make our art. I will have several types of paper available, as well as several store bought and natural ink options. Some of the inks are suitable for printing on fabrics if you want to bring your own garments to print on. Please wear clothes that you don't mind being permanently stained.
SOUTHEAST INDIGENOUS ETHNOBOTANY - MARC WILLIAMS
This is a two part class. First we will discuss what it means to have an indigenous connection to plants and world view in general as well as concepts like the problem of cultural appropriation. Then we will explore some various first nations applications of plants from the southeast and North Carolina specifically as we walk around the gathering grounds. Tribes such as the Cherokee, Catawba, Creek and Lumbee will be a particular focus.
SPOON CARVING - NICHOLAS PARKER
We will take a piece of wood, and we will make a spoon.
STICK SELF DEFENSE - KORIE AND SEAN KENNEDY
The stick is the oldest weapon in the world. Learn how to make it dance. Lots of time for practice and exploring scenarios.
THAI BODYWORK - ERIC BLEVINS
This healing art can be beneficial to both the giver and receiver. It is very interactive and involves a lot of assisted stretching as well as pointed pressure into muscles. We will work on the feet, legs, hips, back, shoulders, neck and head. Please wear clothing that allows for full range of motion and bring a blanket or yoga mat to lay on.
THE ART OF INTIMACY (NVC) LEVEL 2 - STEVE TORMA
For those with some familiarity with Nonviolent Communication. Using NVC Dance Floors and Somatic Experiencing to move from pain to compassion, from the illusion of conflicting needs to finding win/win strategies, from grasping for approval to deep inner peace, and from negativity to the natural joy of life. With the former president of Earthaven Ecovillage and co-founder of The REAL Center.
TIMBER FRAMING - BARRON BROWN
Come and learn about the ancient and useful art of timber framing.
TREE MEDICINE WALK - JACKS GENEGA
People often look down seasonally when foraging for wild edible and medicinal plants; but did you know they actually tower over you all year round? Let's go on a walk to positively identify a handful of trees and learn their incredible uses in medicine making, navigation, and bushcraft. We will discuss how to identify trees in the winter time, the lifeline of trees, how to ethically harvest plant matter, as well as how to make natural medicine using various methods.
WEAVING - PEACE WEAVER
Humans have been weaving longer than we have been speaking languages, longer than countries and governments.
Come and learn to weave with master weaver Lea “Peace Weaver”. We will have different looms to try out, and start your own project to weave something of your own. We will be working with thread and yarn to create small pieces on simple frame looms. There will also be samples of weaving from around the world to help you understand the scope of weaving, and how far you can go with this timeless craft.
Up to 15 students, all ages welcome, under 9 please bring an adult.
Materials $0-$10 depending on what you wish to purchase to continue your project.
WEAVING WONDER WITH FEATHER AND WIND - ELIJAH STRONGHEART
Add some wonder to life with a Feather Spinner! We will be constructing impellers with string, feathers, and wood. A beautiful toy you can run around with, amaze your friends with, or hang in your garden. By adding two wing feathers to a bit of wood and binding them with string at the correct angles, we can harness the wind to make a beautiful toy that you could even use to wind string, make cordage, or drill a hole. I wonder if we can do anything else with it?! We will be exploring some aspects of physics, like air foils, and safe use of tools, like knives. A great class for all ages for people who would like to relax and make a beautiful thing while being enthralled with the beauty of shape in our world. Ideal for parents and their children to come together. A great bonding activity! Or send your child along while you learn something elsewhere, it’s all good!
Preferable that parents come with their children. We will be using knifes and scissors for a brief portion of it.
WILD WEAVING: SMALL BASKETS - FREA FORAGER
We will be using primarily wild foraged materials to make small spoke baskets. This class is for those who have never woven before as well as experienced basketmakers wanting to learn more about weaving with wildcrafted materials. Materials fee is $25*. Class spots will be guaranteed to those who pay the materials fee in advance. Please contact Frea at freawild@gmail.com to arrange advance materials fee payment.
*Pay-what-you-can discount available for members of the global majority and members of racialized communities.
WILLOW PACK BASKET (PART 6 OF 6) - TYLER LAVENBURG
Welcome fellow Willow enthusiasts! In this three-day class we will be using locally grown European basket willow to weave up some fine pack baskets. We will be using whole round shoots of willow varieties selected over centuries for ideal industrial strength baskets. Day one we will cover growing, propagating, harvesting, and preparing material, while weaving our bases and locking our spokes in place. Day two we will weave up the body. Day three we will turn down the rim and add a foot. WE WILL NOT MAKE STRAPS IN THIS CLASS! You will learn several different weaves including twining, randing, slewing, waling, and learn everything you need to know to replicate the process. This class is a full three days! Materials fee $100.
WOODLAND LANDSCAPES OF APPALACHIA - JAZZ MALTZ
In this workshop we will look at various woodland landscapes of
Appalachia by exploring the diverse forest types at Deerfields. We
will learn about plant communities, tree identification, long term
management, and ecological history. We will explore the intricate
connections between ecosystems and how to read the forest from past,
present, to future.
WORKING WITH BONE, AN OVERLOOKED GIFT - SCRIMSHAW AND FINISHING TOUCHES - JOSH BARNWELL
Bone has met material needs for peoples around the world since time immemorial. Harder and sharper than wood, less brittle than stone, bone meets a material niche in ancestral skills and working with it helps us connect with the greater gifts of our animal kin. During this class we will go into the basics of scrimshaw, a method of marking and drawing on bone pieces. Given material availability students can choose a project to start, finish a project started earlier in the week, or shape a piece into a pendant or other scrimshaw sampler.
Minimal close contact required, mask at your discretion.
CHI GUNG AND PLANT SENSING (7:30-9 AM) - JEANNIE MCKENZIE
Celebrate our connection with the earth, and the depth of understanding that comes through the plant world with Chi Gung and Plant Sensing classes. The chi gung practice takes movements from ancient medical chi gung practices and focuses the understanding of the gathering and movement of energy in a new way. As we practice, guided imagery and actual images bring our presence into awareness of our larger, eternal energetic structure. From this expanded field, and with additional instructions, we tune into the plant world. We then set timers for 10 minutes, head out (or already be outside if you can be) and come in after the 10 minutes to share our significant messages and experiences.
ADAPTIVE EDIBLE AND MEDICINAL PLANTS - SPENCER TWO DOGS
Adaptive classes are ideal for someone with limited physical mobility. If you'd love to go on a plant/tree walk but are hesitant about steep, bumpy, long walks or difficult environments this class is for you (anyone else welcome as well!) Assisted walkers and wheelchairs welcome! We will have a solar powered slide show and discussion on Appalachian and southeastern plants, trees, and mushrooms, ethical use and harvesting, lore and history, and preparation of salves, teas, tinctures, and storage of hand made medicines and food. We will also learn about relationships with the plant world and how certain species are ideal for specific tools and practices on the homestead. The instructor will also have a book and video of this class available to support continued learning.
BASSWOOD SOFT TWINED BASKET START - ZAC FITTIPALDI
These baskets are awesome, actually my favorite. First we make cordage, then we twine together very tightly. Folks who love patterns and close work, will love this.
FINISH UP WOOD CARVING PROJECTS - BARRON BROWN
Time to finish up whatever you started earlier this weekend.
Bring a sharp knife.
Age limit: 12 and older unless accompanied by an adult.
FOUND, FORAGED, AND UP-CYCLED INTENTIONAL PRAYER SCROLLS - ELIZABETH FOLEY
Learn how to take found objects, fabric scraps and simple stitching techniques to create an intuitive fabric scroll. We'll begin with finding and foraging some of our supplies while we drop in and connect with the land and the present moment. You'll learn a variety of slow stitching techniques like couching and poetic stitch to decorate your scroll and infuse it with your intentions and prayers. This is mindful art making that takes away the pressure to make it right and invites us to slow down, get present and be in the process.
Materials will be provided and participants are invited to bring their own scraps of fabric, hide, thread, yarn etc.. as well as any stones, crystals, shells, feathers etc that they might want to include in their prayer scrolls. This is a great opportunity to use up all the little scraps you don't know what to do with.
*A basic demo of cordage making will also be included for participants that would like to tie their scrolls with handmade cordage.
FREE MOVEMENT & VOCAL RELEASE - STAR CAMP
Our bodies are vessels of vibration that encounter and absorb energy around us. Let us gather around and let go of those stored frequencies through ecstatic movement and vocalizing. There are no rules or "right ways" to move or sound, just respect yourself and those around you.
Dawaune (He/She/They) is a queer artist and creator interested in the regeneration and reconnection of people, place, and planet. A young spirit leader, Dawaune brings together their ancestral lineages through individual and collective practices meant for helping us root in our Earth.
GENDER 101: BEYOND THE BINARY - TAIJA VENTRELLA
Basics of gender theory - it's not as simple as we learned as kids! We will explore the meaning, nuances, and differences between biological sex, gender identity, gender presentation, and sexual orientation. We will also learn about different identities and get practice talking about people of various genders and using different pronouns correctly.
In my personal experience as a nonbinary person, many people want to be supportive and help make Earth skills communities welcoming for their trans and non-binary siblings, but lack the language and understanding to do so effectively. Come learn how to show basic respect for genderqueer and gender non-conforming folks and better connect with queer and trans folks in your communities!
Everyone is welcome at this class, and it is great for teachers and space holders (at Firefly Gathering and beyond). Those seeking to learn and be supportive are welcome. This is a space for presenting and practicing this information, not a space for playing devil's advocate, or debating gender, or the information being shared.
INNOCENT AND FREE TO GET NASTY: SEXUAL OBJECTIFICATION AND WILD EMBODIMENT, A FACILITATED LISTENING CIRCLE - MEREDITH PARSONS
*All are welcome to attend*
This circle is supported and inspired by an article written by black lesbian writer Audre Lorde entitled Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power. Erotic in this sense describes a spectrum of expressing life force energy, the fuel we use to enact everything from our most basic daily tasks to the work involved in creating a human life. In this facilitated listening circle you will be invited to describe your victories and challenges related to feeling both deeply innocent and erotically alive at the same time.
Lorde describes the relationship between our erotic energy and systems of oppression, "In order to perpetuate itself, every oppression must corrupt or distort those various sources of power that can provide energy for change...this has meant a suppression of the erotic as a source of power and information within our lives." Shame is the primary tool used in the corruption and distortion of our erotic/life-energy power. Shame is THE thing propping up so many systems of oppression. I invite you to come be witnessed in sharing your experience as a way to reclaim some of that power.
Since this is a huge topic, know that this class is intended simply to provide a doorway or general support on the path of a lot of loving self-work within community, family, partners, healers, and mental health professionals. A basic history and outline of the issue at hand will be provided along with facilitated structure wherein individuals will have an opportunity to share and be witnessed by the group, and in smaller break-out groups, in sharing their own experiences. This class is for 18yrs and up and limited to 13 people, it is a closed container, please arrive on time.
INTRO TO SACRED SEXUALITY - STEVE TORMA
After our survival instinct, sexual energy is the most powerful force in the human experience. How do we access and guide this energy? With the heart. And what guides our heart? The overall spiritual purpose of our lives. When all three are combined: sex, heart, and spirit, we can live a deeply satisfying life of service to our ultimate vision. Ideas and practices for improving your physical and emotionally-intimate relationships. With the former President of Earthaven Ecovillage and co-founder of The REAL Center.
INTRODUCTION TO BIRDS AND BIRD LANGUAGE - LUKE CANNON
This is a Bird Talk, not a Bird Walk. But it has been crafted to be fascinating enough to keep you connected and awake, even on Sunday morning!
The astounding world of Birds and Bird Language offers us new and remarkable wisdoms and unexpected insights that greatly expand our awareness and understanding of the natural world.
Come ready to enjoy a deep dive into the lives of our local feathered friends and learn practical techniques to begin the life changing journey of joining the Conversation of the Wilds all around us!
MAKING FIRE WITH FLINT AND STEEL - SHAWN KELLY
Come learn to use flint and steel to make fire just like the mountain men did in the past. I have this listed as an adult class but smaller children are welcome if they are accompanied by an adult
MUSICAL MEDITATION - KENNEDY KENNEDY
A profoundly potent symphonic orchestration of acoustic vibration that guides us to the stillness that exists beyond all thoughts.
First we’ll talk about the many methods of meditation, and how it is applicable and beneficial to everyone. We'll discuss how sound has been used to support meditation by mystics all around the world. We'll learn some of the origin stories of these musical instruments used, such as hulusi, guzheng, didgeridoo, gongs, crystal bowls, shruti, handpan, and more.
And then we'll lay down and relax while being serenaded in harmony by musical instruments of many cultures. Participants in this voyage through vibration simply lay down and relax. This absolutely incredible sound journey will instill a remarkable tranquility that lingers long after the last sound. These sonic symphonies are designed to be a foundation for our journey towards greater wellness of spirit.
PAWPAW FRUIT TASTING AND TREE CARE - SEREN PETRICHOR
Come and taste the wonder that is Pawpaw fruit! They are often described as a blend of banana, melon, coconut and pineapple with a custard like texture. Pawpaw fruits are a wonder that have been nearly lost to American culture. They are native from northern Florida to Oklahoma to Canada and yet most people have never heard of them. They have now spread around the world and have been used in mead, ice cream, pies, beer and much more! It's not too late to bring back a magical, delicious and nutritious indigenous fruit to North America and into your backyard. Learn about pawpaw planting, pollination, varieties, seed care, mead making, preserving, companion planting, and bringing trees to successful and abundant harvest.
Will have a limited amount of fruit for tasting and pawpaw trees for sale during the class. Class may include some walking to see Pawpaw trees on the property.
PINE PITCH GLUE STICKS - JAMES CLINKSCALES
Pine pitch recipe. We will be making pine pitch glue sticks for attaching stone points to shafts. We will discuss different applications of pine pitch and variations of the recipes for the task at hand.
REWILDING YOUR HABITS WITH THE WISDOM OF AYURVEDA - KIMBER JONES
General outline:
15 mins: Introductions
15 mins: What is Ayurveda? Introduction to the system of healing, doshas, and rhythmic/cyclical nature
30 mins: How to change habits- We are here to change habits, but we all know how hard that is. Generally we know WHAT to do, so that isn't the obstacle. The obstacle is knowing HOW to do something differently. So diving into behavioral psychology of how to make a shift when so much of our actions in a day are habitual.
Bio/brain break
Hour 2- The basics of dinacharya (Ayurveda daily routine): fasting/earlier, lighter dinner; ayurvedic oil self-massage; caring for our sense organs (tongue scraping, neti pot, nasaya (nasal oil), eye washes)
Q&A
Bio/brain break
Hour 3- the REALLY wild habits: eat your local ecosystem (ferments, invasive, weeds, wild harvesting), cold plunging, technology fasts, enemas, urine therapy
Q&A
SPINNING YARN - PEACE WEAVER
Making thread, cord and yarn is one of the oldest and most primal of human activities. It is also very meditative and relaxing. From hunter gatherers making traps and nets, to Irish fisherman knitting sweaters, all over the world we can find humans making thread; humans and thread go together.
Come and learn to spin thread from raw wool, and then ply it into yarn. Use the drop spindle and try out the spinning wheel. We will discuss how the animal wool is cut, cleaned and combed. Also, different fibers and spinning practices from around the world.
Students will make their own ball of yarn.
Up to 15 students, all ages welcome, under 9 please bring an adult.
Materials $0-$10 depending on what you wish to purchase to continue your project.
WHISK BROOMS - HAWK TAIL STYLE - EMILEIGH ZOLA
In this beginner level class, students will craft hawk tail style whisk brooms out of broomcorn hurl. If time allows, we will discuss and explore creating woven handles.
The skills learned in this class can be applied to other styles of broom-making, and different variations will be discussed.
Moderate hand strength is suggested.
WOVEN WILLOW MINI TRAY/SOAP DISH - FREA FORAGER
For weavers of all experience levels! We will be making small woven trays that make excellent soap dishes. If you have never weaved before and would love to dabble in a new craft or if you simply want a beautiful way to better preserve the longevity of your bar soap, look no further. For more experienced basketmakers, larger versions of these trays can be used as the bases for baskets. In this class we will be working with willow, but this project can be done with many other trees and shrubs. This class is also great for outdoor educators since the project is fairly easy with a satisfying end result that can be taught to older kids as well as adults. It only requires a pair of pruning shears. You may even be able to make several mini trays during this class time if you are a fast learner! Ages 12-112 welcome. Materials fee of $5 per tray made.