Wilderness Skills Training Course   June 2008
(Evaluation documents of the Sept. ’06  and '07 courses are available upon request.)

At Room To Grow – a woodland sanctuary in the Turtle Mountains of South West Manitoba, Canada – see below for more on RTG.

With instructors Dwayne Logan and Laura Reeves – see below.

Arrival 8 pm Friday 13 June ’08.    Departure 6 pm Sunday 15 June ’08. 

Group instruction and individual guidance plus two or three nights’ lodging and two days of home cooked food are included. Registration is limited to 20 participants. Registration must include payment by 1 May either by calling in your Credit Card # (to 204 534-2303) or by sending a cheque made out to ‘Room To Grow’ – Box 478, Boissevain, MB, R0K 0E0. Please inquire about paying in installments. Instruction will be at the entry and intermediate levels. A detailed course outline along with directions, carpooling and bus info, and a modest ‘to bring’ list will be sent when you inquire. Please use the address or phone # above (ask for David) or email roomtogrow@xplornet.com.       Bow drill fire making. >

Cost:   

Instruction, Food and Accommodation (Bunk-House or Tent)     Adult       $220.00 plus 13% = $248.60
Instruction, Food and Accommodation (Maximum 5 Youth)       Youth       $170.00 plus 13% = $292.10

Participants will receive a certificate upon completion.

More on Room To Grow.
 
We, David Neufeld and Maggie Andres along with Kholiswa, Ezra, Teyana, Jonah, and countless friends, family and WWOOFers (traveling organic farm workers) have romanced this woodland farm (greenhouse, guesthouse, garden and guided experiences) since 1991. Our aim is to live, use and make a living on this bit of paradise while respecting and adding to the diverse wildness of the land around us. Our approach has offered us insights into ways of fashioning a simple yet comfortable lifestyle within this prairie parkland. We’re interested in sharing these insights – and learning more as we do - believing that respectful food growing/collecting is nourishing for the soul and ever more in demand in the dwindling-petroleum world.
 
More on the Instructors

Dwayne Logan – “I have successfully completed three courses at Tom Brown's Tracking, Nature, and Wilderness Survival School including Standard, Advanced Standard, and Advanced Tracking. I began my journey learning by trial and error on my own, without teachers, using books, etc. to answer the questions that came up. Attending Tom Brown's school improved my skills and pushed me to higher levels. I’ve lived most of my life near Nesbitt (between Brandon and Wawanesa) farming (now organically) with my family and hunting, fishing, exploring and learning about nature.

Dwayne and Laura - Fire Making

There will be many awareness lessons throughout the course; in fact awareness is an important aspect of every skill. One skill leads to the next, and awareness of all things - plants, animals, weather, and even spiritual matters. We’d have to be aware of everything in our environment to be successful with even one skill. On one day we’ll prepare a wilderness meal including gathering and preparing wild edibles, and learn a variety of cooking methods such as pit cooking, hot rock boiling, flat rock, spit cooking, etc. Sure to be a highlight! A lesson on bow drill fire making will include a time for students to gather and carve tools and then try to get a fire going.”

Laura Reeves – I’ve taken 8 courses at Tom Brown's Tracking, Nature and Wilderness Survival School in New Jersey, including Standard, Advanced Standard, Advanced Tracking and Awareness, Caretaker and Philosophies I - IV.  I graduated from the U of M with a BSc, Major in Botany and have 14 years of experience working as a botanist for the Manitoba Tall Grass Prairie Preserve near Gardenton, MB.  I am currently completing Kamana II naturalist training through Wilderness Awareness School. 

My passion is wild edible and medicinal plants.  Over the years I have increased my use to the point that I rarely go a meal without wild edibles, be it a main dish, bread, beverage, or even dessert.  For me, it's about feeling connected to the Earth.  At this workshop, you will gain experience in identifying, gathering and preparing wild edibles using recipes that are easy to repeat when you get home.

I enjoy a simple life and so I am constantly experimenting with primitive skills in ways that I can incorporate them into everyday life.  Though we live in a modern world, it is possible to reaffirm our connection to the Earth by learning and applying these skills in everyday ways that make them real.”

If you want to pick up one primer in advance, we recommend Tom Brown’s Field Guide – Nature Observation and Tracking by Tom Brown, Jr., with Brandt Morgan.

Blessings and Enjoy.