Vermont Wilderness School goes Online !

Winter is upon us as a time that is both challenging and empowering in its demands. The hours of light are precious, yet as the sunlight wanes and the snows deepen, we can feel the deepening of our commitments both to each other and to our vision of a healthy community. The Vermont Wilderness School is an organization that exists to serve families. Our goal is to extend a deep level of understanding of self, community and nature across the generations, from the children to the parents to our elders. By going beyond the surface and nurturing a deep understanding of how human communities can reflect the whole of the natural world, we hope to make a positive and meaningful difference for the generations to come.

With this as our intent, we offer our first On-line Newsletter. Please let us know how you enjoy it. You can learn more about our mission and programs at our website.

In this issue second year apprentice Rosa Crowe-Allison will tell us the story of her journey over the past two years and her experience with hands-on application of the Art of Mentoring with students of the Oyase Community School. My Journey as an Apprentice will be a regular Crow Call feature.

Also in this issue, we look at Vermont Wilderness School in print. Yes, we've appeared in National Geographic Adventure, Reader's Digest and, Deep Survival, a book that explores how people manage to survive in the wilderness against overwhelming odds.

Our final regular Crow Call feature gives you the chance to become a Nature Detective and test the depth of your naturalist knowledge.

So enjoy this first issue and get out into our wonderful woods richly scented with freshly fallen leaves.

Sincerely,

Steve Young, Editor

P.S. Help spread the word! Forward this newsletter to friends.

Most people hear about our programs through word of mouth please help spread the word by forwarding this newsletter to your friends who might be interested in our programs.

My Journey as an Apprentice

by Rosa Crowe-Allison

The first fire of the year is lit in the center of the circle. "The fire!" I whisper. I don’t need to say a word. Each child’s body is frozen in mid-motion as the flames lick through the birch bark and kindle the wood they collected only minutes before. The firelight reflects in their eyes and faces are flushing from the heat. It is a moment without time, composed of pure magic.

When I see children experiencing the wonder and mystery of the earth with ease and comfort, as countless generations before have, my heart sings. As an apprentice of the Vermont Wilderness School, I guide children to a native relationship with and understanding of the earth. It is a path of service, full of discovery and blessings.

Being an apprentice involves developing a personal connection to the natural world, naming my personal passion, and living in a community of like-minded individuals and families. My personal journey is an intrinsic part of my path as a mentor. I take delight in watching the sun slide down behind a mountain, listening to faint bird sounds and the leaves rustling as an animal’s day begins or ends. The earth moves at a steady pace, and I move in this way too. My awareness and native eyes grow with each day.
With my hands, mind, and heart, I hope to encourage health and happiness in the present and for the future generations.

Learn more about Vermont Wilderness School's Apprenticeship Program.

Vermont Wilderness School Receives
National Media Attention

Over our five year history, Vermont Wilderness School has been featured in the national media several times. Our best coverage that has sent numerous people our way we owe to National Geographic Adventure contributing editor Laurence Gonzales. Soon after we were founded, Gonzalez visited us for several days to get our take on survival. Along with a lesson in primitive firemaking, and a day observing Oyase Community School, he learned that first and foremost, wilderness survival is about maintaining a positive attitude and remembering that successful wilderness living is our birthright if we get out of our own way. His article, "Land of the Lost" appeared in December 2001 with several pages devoted to our visit. An excerpt from the article that features Mark Morey's shelter building suggestions has been immortalized in National Geographic Adventure's Adventurer's Handbook. The following June, it showed up in Reader's Digest" the world's most widely read magazine (nearly 100 million readers)! Gonzalez's didn't stop there. In 2003, his book Deep Survival appeared with 8 pages devoted to his experience with us. The book explores the reasons that some people survive overwhelming odds and others do not. His conclusion: stay calm, be decisive and don't give up – easier said than done. One thing is certain: the kind of long-term, grounded mentoring in the natural world that is the core of our curriculum will make it much easier to stay calm and stay positive.

If you are interested in reading Deep Survival, and supporting Vermont Wilderness School, we have hardcover ($25.95) and paperback copies ($14.95) available. Our online store is not active yet, so you can order by calling us with credit card information - 802-257-8570.

Nature Detective

One of the students in our Ndaka program found this federally listed endangered frog during a night-time adventure on their weeklong expedition last spring. "Did they go to Puerto Rico to find such a colorful frog?", you might ask. I won't comment, but I will tell you that the location of their adventure is an important clue to solving this mystery. Can you name the species of frog?
Bonus: Tell us the frog's Latin name and it's gender to be entered into a drawing for a free, limited edition 2003-2004 Oyase Community School t-shirt. Email your responses to steve@VermontWildernessSchool.org. Include "nature detective #1" in the subject line.

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Vol. 1, Issue 1: Nov - Dec 2004

In This Issue

My Journey as an Apprentice: Rosa Crowe-Allison

Vermont Wilderness School is in print!

The Nature Detective

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the Crow Call!

Become a Protector of the Wild Ones:
Donate Now!

Last summer, in the midst of a financial crisis, we asked our supporters to adopt one of the 108 local mammals, reptiles and amphibians, just like our Oyase Community School students do. The response was overwhelming: 52 of you have donated over $13,000 - enough to prevent program cuts and maintain our long term commitment to program improvement and expansion. We thank all of you who have donated so far.

Please help us complete the circle of protectors by making your donation of $35 or more today!

Our thank you gifts to you:

$35 or more: you will adopt one of the local wild creatures that our students have come to love as a symbol of your commitment to the children. As a reminder you will receive an original drawing of your animal from one of our long-term mentoring students.

$60 or more: You will receive the original drawing and the Golden Guide to Mammals or Reptiles & Amphibians. Golden Guides have introduced countless children to their wild neighbors. They are packed with information adults will enjoy too!

$125 or more: You will receive the original drawing, the Golden Guide plus Forrest Carter’s classic The Education of Little Tree. This is a truly inspirational story about a young boy from the modern world who at an early age comes under the care of his grandparents, who are strongly rooted in Cherokee heritage.

$300 or more: You will receive the original drawing, the Golden Guide and The Reader’s Digest Guide to N. American Wildlife. This comprehensive field guide includes basic information and wonderful illustrations of most of the common plants, animals, fungi and other creatures of North America. A must have for those who care about the earth this much!

$600 or more: you will receive the original drawing, the Golden Guide and a framed 8x10 color photo by acclaimed wildlife photographer Paul Rezendes. Paul’s photo of an alert, but relaxed red fox kit will serve as a daily inspiration and reminder that animals can be powerful teachers and role models.

Spread the word!
Please forward this newsletter to your friends who might want to learn more about us.

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If the Crow Call was forwarded to you by a friend and you like what you see please subscribe to continue to receive the Crow Call.

The Oyase 2003-2004 tshirt, designed by one of our students, features this logo on a beautiful copper-orange shirt donated by The Mountain.