NOTE: These are examples of PAST programs; we can co-create program solutions to meet your needs.

NATURE STUDIES
The Fires of Knowledge · Russell Cutts

Rediscover ancient knowledge with a fire-starter’s scavenger hunt! Exploring experiential archaeology and practicing primitive, participants wildgather, craft and make fires from the kits. Much more than a mere “survival class,” this lesson is sure to spark your interest in fire’s profound influence on prehistoric, historic and modern culture. The teachings are at once basic and subtly sophisticated with a special emphasis on fire’s dynamic symbolism.
(a repeat program for the John C. Campbell Folk School)

Cane Can Do It!

Rivercane was the most important plant to the southeastern Native Americans -- arrows, spears, needles and knives, baskets, flutes, fishing poles, food, containers and so much more...from cane!

Uncontained Basketry

An almost unbelievable variety of materials are naturally available to create wonderful baskets, from simple (bark buckets) to complex (water-tight double-woven cane petacas). This class will also include the basics of cordage and fiber twining.

Eat Up With Weeds

Edible, medicinal and usable wild plants. Also the poisonous ones to avoid. Class includes identification, preparation, storage, gathering techniques and ethics.

Get Your Game On!

Traps, snares, tracking and stalking. The art of natural camouflage. Hunting laws, ethics and common questions.

The Throw-Far Machine

The atl-atl, or spear-thrower, is one of the world's most fantastic inventions...made by all of our ancestors! This is one cool weapon, and is finding a modern mark with hunters.

Seminole Tribe of Florida "Indian Day" Celebration

Helping increase the tribe's success hosting their annual "Indian Day" participation we would like to bring five (5) educators each with a distinct educational display and demonstration area. Instructors will offer hands-on skills projects to Celebration attendees. In particular we are interested in helping the S.T.O.F. promote the ongoing Ancient Skills Workshops and educational opportunities being developed on behalf of tribal members.
(monthly programs developed for the Seminole Tribe of Florida)

HOME AND HEARTH Stone Age Playhouse with Russell Cutts

Brief: Ancient wisdom and primitive technologies are hardly anachronistic. Today's chefs use wild mushrooms, neurosurgeons use obsidian scalpels, states permit for 'atl-atl' hunting, and we may need them for survival during accidents. Many modern people find profitable applications for so-called "stone age" skills. Practicing primitive interweaves creativity with coordination, nature and ancestral connection, moving meditation and interpersonal communication. Not strictly about "how to survive," these are skills for thriving. The teachings are about being human.

Goals:
1. Fun.
2. Nature connection
3. Improve coordination and body skills through paleotechnics such as rock working, wild fire, botany (including fibers and cord) and woodworking to create a 'youth'-sized Wattle & Daub structure, ca. 1680.
4. Grasp how and why human culture, science and technology have evolved as they have.

PRIMARY PROJECT: Youth (with adults, interns and assistants) guided by Russell Cutts will gather natural materials, using stone-aged and historic tools, and erect a timber post-and-beam playhouse. Small-scale, the completed wattle&daub, bark roofed structure will showcase ancestral skills. Like our selves, our ancestors creatively provided for their needs. Practicing ancient skills encourages us to reflect on our modern choices. Sustainability is not just a modern buzzword!

Schedule and (Basic) Lesson Plan: Daily 8 A.M. to Noon-'thirty'

Monday -- Introduce workshop (schedule, goals, demonstrate fire and show structure plans and photos); basic botany (material selection), scavenge for firemaking and house materials, begin processing and foundation

Tuesday -- Continue processing materials for house supplies like cord, bark shingling, clay for daub and hearth, etc.; processing may include stone work, wood-splitting, burning, scraping, knapping (rock), and other primitive arts. Continue foundation and walls.

Wednesday -- Scavenge any remaining materials and continuing processing, building; a break for fire-making practice gives a change of pace. Walls completed and roof rafters installed.

Thursday -- Rafters and lathing completed, wattling and daubing completed. We'll make the two long walls, leaving both ends open.

Friday -- Tweaking, cleaning, repairing; also we may paint appropriate images on drying daubed walls.

(program developed for Eastern Band of Cherokee language immersion summer camp)

Native Earth programs are limitless, we create what you need.