Becoming Woods Wise - Nature Mentoring for Children Ages 8-11 (Jan-May)

Description:

Get ready for an eye-opening adventure of learning and growth! Our instructors are passionate about linking students to the fascinating world of nature, forging unforgettable bonds.

Our nature-centric activities are the engaging pathways that allow students to fully immerse and interact with the natural world, enriching their connection to it. Each week promises a fresh burst of excitement with activities focused on our primal needs. From mastering the art of fire-making and using it as a tool, to identifying wild edible, useful and medicinal plants, your senses will be fully engaged.

Prepare to dive into nature observation, shelter building, tracking, and even crafting natural artifacts. But that's not all! Students also get the chance to learn knife safety and handling, coupled with practical carving techniques. They will be guided by our skilled instructors through various projects, ensuring they gain hands-on experience. Experience the thrill of nature like never before!

This program is limited to 10 participants

When: Saturdays 10:30am -3:30pm
Dates: Jan 11, Feb 1 & 22, March 15, April 5 & 26, May 17
Where: Glen Dale MD
Ages: 8-11
Registration fee: 7 weeks $299-$525 Sliding Scale (you pay what you are comfortable paying per participant $8.54- $15 per hour) *General Admission is the suggested value of the program

Ben Kamm - Lead Instructor

Raised in the DMV, Ben spent his summers camping and hiking all over the east coast, even to Canada. He developed skills in plant ID and tracking, on these trips, and continued to draw inspiration from his childhood experiences as he was mentored by Ancestral Knowledge Staff. During this mentor-ship, Ben honed his skills around fire making and carving, with a strong focus on friction fire (Bow Drill method).

Ben is passionate about History and the way that ancient people lived, he strives to share the ways that our ancestors used to thrive and survive. As a home schooler and one of seven, Ben has experience with mentoring younger children and working in a group!

Always an active person, Ben enjoys weight lifting and exploring his local landscape.

Keith Grenoble - Lead Instructor

Keith Grenoble has been a product of the Back to the Land movement and developed close ties to Native communities from an early age. Keith started his journey by making stone tools represented in the rich archaeological record of Tidewater, Virginia and has been teaching earth skills since 1987. Over time, Keith has become skilled in a variety of earth skills. He is very passionate about making simulations of prehistoric cookpots, and enjoys working with people of all experience levels and interests. He can often be seen catching a knap here and there.