Welcome
Upcoming Programs & Events
Shambala Warrior & Nature Day Camp, June 18-22, 2012
Join us for a week of aikido training (a traditional Japanese Martial art, translates as “way of harmony”) and nature awareness in the woods designed for youth ages 8-15 years old. Aikido, like most martial arts, began in nature and was guided by observing animals, birds, rocks, wind, rivers, trees and becoming attuned with the energies of life. We will also work on our scout skills – our ability to move through the woods quietly and to sneak up on each other, maybe even a coyote! As Shambala Warriors, we will train for compassion and insight into Life – and have fun, joy, and wonder as we explore nature and the martial arts. Just 4 spaces left as of May 7, 2012!
More Shambala Warrior & Nature Day Camp Info
Otter Day Camp, June 25-29 & July 2-6, 2012
Join us for a week or two of adventure in the summer woods and fields at Ft. Dummer State Park! Explore creeks, learn to start a fire with bowdrill, primitively cook over a fire, find your way in the woods without map & compass, and much more. For ages 7-12 years old. Enrollment as of May 11, 2012: 1st Week, June 25-9, Older Group (10-12) has a Wait List. Spaces in the 7-9 year old group and in Week 2, July 2-6.
More Otter Day Camp Information
Permaculture Immersion Workshops, July 21-24 & July 26-29, 2012
These four-day experiential workshops provide opportunities for students of land stewardship and permaculture to delve deeper into their understanding of nature and culture in a community village setting. Together, we will explore many skills, practices, and frameworks not covered in a traditional Permaculture Design Certification Course. Students of any experience level or background are welcome – previous training in permaculture design recommended but NOT required! The first immersion theme is "Weaving the Basket: Land Knowledge, Traditional Skills, & Nature Connection" and the second one is "Toolbox for Social Permaculture– Design, Principles, & Practices."
For more information and registration.
2012 Vermont Art of Mentoring & Fall Teen Rendezvous
Monday September 17 to Saturday September 22, 2012
at Indian Brook Camp at Farm & Wilderness near Plymouth, VT.
Deep in all of our roots, there are stories of our ancestors living in healthy, regenerative communities—villages where people of all ages were in deep relationship with the land, each other, and themselves. The Vermont Art of Mentoring is a six-day experiential, nature based set of concurrent programs for ages 3 to 99 designed to help us remember these old ways and learn to apply them to our modern communities.
The Vermont Art of Mentoring workshop is one of several Art of Mentoring workshops offered around the world and the second longest running programming site with an experienced core leadership team representing 50+ years of experience in the Art of Mentoring. We bring together instructors and facilitators from throughout the Northeast and beyond to staff eight concurrent programs that together make up the Vermont Art of Mentoring.
Here are the concurrent programs offered at the Vermont Art of Mentoring 2012. Select the program you would like to learn more about:
Cost: $650 including food and basic housing.
Fall Teen Rendezvous (Ages 13-17, occasionally 12)
Cost: $400 including food and camping.Cost: $230 including food and basic housing for Day Programs, Cost: $300 for Otter Overnight Program.
Deep Nature Connection & Regenerative Leadership
at Shelburne Farms, Burlington, VT
Offered by the University of Vermont & 8 Shields Institute
Sunday July 8 - Friday July 13, 2012
New offering led by Jon Young, Lauren Dalberth, Matt Kolan and an internationally recognized 8 Shields Team. The goal of this program is to take participants on an experieintial journey exploring practices, principles and core routines that foster deep and long-lasting relationships to nature, self, place, and community. We will also explore leadership practices for creating change in our own communities, organizations, fields, and regions. You can register as a for-credit participant with the University of Vermont or as a non-credit participant with the 8 Shields Institute.
See website for costs & more information.
Essentials of Nature Connection and Cultural Mentoring Village Talk Weekly Call Series
What would be possible if we could create an ongoing, weekly conversation with people who are committed to the vision of humans thriving in harmony with all beings on this earth?
That is the question that is driving the weekly Village Talk call series. Jon Young and the 8 Shields Institute is now offering Village Talk Essentials of Nature Connection Call Series (Mondays) and Cultural Mentoring Call Series (Thursdays). The call series are the "Art of Mentoring" (or Kamana Naturalist Program) that doesn't end. VWS Executive Director Amy Hyatt is on staff for the East Coast 7PM (4PM PST) sessions. New 3-Month Block runs April 2nd - June 28, 2012. Click here for more information:
Village Talk Info
If you have any questions at all please use the Contact Us form and we'll do our best to answer them promptly.
Vermont Wilderness School
is dedicated to cultivating long-term mentoring relationships rooted in community, nature connection, and earth living skills. We are a non-profit 501c3 founded in 2000.