Past Events
JULY 2009
Ecosystem Nature Photography
Saturday, July 25, 9-11:30
Join nature photographer and naturalist Dave Spier for a serendipitous photo hike around Sanctuary at Crowfield Farm. Dave will demonstrate various photography techniques for capturing the beauty of the natural world while identifying some of the plants and animals encountered and discussing how they inter-relate. Portraying a species as part of its ecosystem can give a photo more meaning and increase our understanding and appreciation. Cost: $20 Pre-registration requested.
Pack Baskets
Saturday, July 25, 9-4 Here is a chance to make your own pack basket. Styled after the famous Adirondack type basket, we will work through the day to create a rattan basket that works great for camping, canoeing or a trip to the Public Market. All materials (except the straps ) will be provided. Please bring a bag lunch. Maximum number of students: 10
Cost: $100 med/$115 large
Pre-registration required.
August 2009
Flintknapping Introduction
Saturday, August 15, 9-12
We will be spending a few hours getting to know the principles of working with stone to create useful points. Everyone will have a chance to spend some time working with various types of stone to begin to understand how to shape flakes into arrowheads, stone knives, etc. Pressure flaking techniques will be the focus for this class. Maximum number of students: 12
Cost: $50 Pre-registration required.
The Medicine Wheel
August 22 or Sept. 12, 9 a.m. – ? – join us for a day on the land at Sanctuary as we build and learn about the ancient concept and energy of the medicine wheel. Mary Birchenough has been learning about how to use the wisdom of the four directions as a guide for living for many years. The morning will start with an overview and discussion of the Medicine Wheel and include some time for personal reflection and group sharing. The afternoon will be spent as a group collecting stones and building a medicine wheel for community and personal use. Bring a bag lunch, and bring a stone, as large as you are willing to carry, from your home or other space that speaks to you. RSVP’s appreciated.
SEPTEMBER 2009
Solo Quest with Chris Arthur and Steve Aman
Friday to Sunday, September 18-20
Is it time for you to go out on the land alone to connect with “all our relations”? Is it time for you to spend some alone time contemplating in a safe, natural environment? Chris and Steve have spent much time over many years communing with nature in the most personal ways. Let them be your guides and safety net during this two day, two night quest on the land at Sanctuary. Maximum number: 8 Cost: $200 Rre-registration required.
Primitive Cooking & Coal burning spoon/bowl
Two workshops for the price of one!
Saturday, September 26, 2-5 p.m.
Primitive Cooking with Dick Wlos –join Dick to learn how to cook without the usual cooking utensils, using only naturally available items. We will cook steak, chicken, fish and bread on a stick, taking time to enjoy the finished product!
Coal burning spoon/bowl workshop with EW Quimbaya-Winship – The spoon and bowl. Two simple tools that few think about – until they are needed. In this ‘primitive skills’ workshop you will work, hands on, to make your own wood spoon or bowl. From basic safety to ’shaping’ to finished product – you will be guided through the process and have your own coal burned spoon and/or bowl to take home with you!
Cost for both workshops running together, two teachers for the price of one: $25 Pre-registration appreciated.
JUNE 2009
Second Annual Drumming and Family Campout
Friday and Saturday, June 5-6, tent set up at 6 p.m.
Come join us for a coming together to drum around the sacred fire, and be in community with story telling, making music and lots of laughter and camaraderie. You are welcome to camp on the land overnite.
Saturday also includes community service, including finishing the pavilion, erecting the trails kiosk, installing signage for trails, installing fence for parking area. Tent set up at 6 p.m., drumming starts at 7 p.m. Suggested donation: $10
Drum-making: Learn to make your very own frame drum.
Sunday, June 28, 9-4
All the materials and instructions will be provided (we will be using deer hides for the drum head). Bring your favorite carving knife, a 4-in-one file IF you have one and a bag lunch. Maximum number of students: 6
Cost: $135 Pre-registration required.
MAY 2009
Medicinal & Edible Plant Identification Walk with Katie Lavin, herbalist and natural plant expert.
Saturday, May 2, 10-12 p.m.
We will walk the Sanctuary woods and field, identifying and discussing which available plants are available for medicinal purposes or edible, and how best they can be used. 10-12 p.m. Bring a bag lunch to enjoy outdoors afterwards. Cost: $10
Introduction to Bees and Beekeeping with Charlie Johnson
Saturday, May 16, 10-12 p.m.
Learn about the only creature on earth that leaves the world a better place just by being here. Learn about the life of a bee, their social structure, our dependence on bees, what dangers they face, how to provide them shelter, how they create nature’s gold and finally learn that 80% percent of America’s honey comes from China. Now that’s scary. Its time we look backward to our roots of self sufficiency and learn from our ancestors and nature to find balance in how we humans borrow the use of mother earth. Bees do no harm, create the only way for many plants to reproduce and in the process create a bounty of sweet golden liquid delight. We humans can only aspire to live like bees.
Cost: $10
Nature and Your 5 Senses with Chris Arthur and Steve Aman
Saturday, May 23, 9-12 p.m.
Come explore a wonderful way of tuning in to your natural senses as we learn fox walking, deer ears, owl eyes and more. You will choose a “secret spot” on the land to spend a bit of alone time in a safe and awakening manner. Cost: $15
Pre-registration required.