The standard class description:
Nature Observation: Participants will be shown to observe nature more
deeply
and learn the basic philosophy that Tom considers the most important part
of
the school and the basis for all of his beliefs. Skills will include:
Stalking,
the ability to move silently and unseen through the forest. Camouflage, the
means of concealment that allows one to become part of one's surroundings.
Students will learn how to immerse themselves in the natural world.
Tracking: Participants will learn the basics of tracking, including track
identification and analysis pressure releases, animal markings and sign
tracking, scat identification, and how to follow a trail.
Survival:
The following survival skills will be covered:
Shelter: Techniques for constructing the debris hut, wicki-up, thatching,
mud
hut, cave dwelling, and a pit dwelling.
Water: Finding water using a solar still, sink hole, plants, and various
other
water gathering methods.
Fire: Making a fire using primitive methods including the bow drill, hand
drill,
as well as how to build a proper fire.
Food: Finding food from both plants and animals found in North America
ranging
from desert to mountain terrain. Harvesting, preparation, and cooking food
will
be covered, though in the interest of conservation only a sampling of such
food
will be prepared.
Trapping: Trapping animals using primitive snares and dead-falls. No
animals
will be trapped during the course, but participants will understand how to
do
it if necessary.
Tools: Making stone tools, cordage, bow drills, spears, digging sticks,
cooking
utensils, bowls and many more.
Tanning: The primitive ways for tanning a deer hide: brain tanning, and
making
rawhide, as well as many useful items that can be made with the hide.
Native American Life-styles and Philosophy: The oneness with nature is
discussed
as the underlying philosophy behind the skills learned and is essential to
survival.