Other Youth Programs

2012

The Red Arrow Boys

This program will run seasonally (fall, winter, spring) during the school year for ages 8-15. That way we can really understand the different seasons, tasks associated with them, and the pure enjoyment of the ever-moving seasons. We will meet 1 day a month from 9-3pm. Each season will have an overnight (optional but strongly encouraged) where we can put what we learn to test. Cost is $35 for the day programs, and $65 for the overnight. Dates for the fall will be Oct 1, Nov. 12 (overnight), and Dec 3. Winter/spring dates will be given later.
The program will be held in Charlottesville, near Belvedere. The location is rich with wildlife, river, forest, meadow, and stream.   There are hundreds of acres of forest to explore, old Native American homesites, etc... I am really excited that this site opened up to us.   In this monthly boys program, we will learn the way of a woodsman and forest scout. We will focus on nature awareness, survival skills (shelter, fire, water, food), responsibility and respect- for self and others. This program will provide challenges, leadership, and community. LES staff take mentoring seriously, and are patient, caring, and supportive.   This program will not only build good woodsman skills, but will increase the confidence of the boys. All programs are led by experienced LES staff.
Each month has a theme (though we always jump on learning opportunites that come our way)
Winter Dates:
January 21, February 4, March 10, April 7
There has been alot of interest in this program, so please don't delay registration.  To hold your spot, please mail in a $50 deposit, with balance due the first day of each season. If you have any questions please contact us.

April 2 - 6
Spring Break Day Camp

Come alive in nature and explore the mountains, streams and forest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Campers will adventure and dive into the world of survival skills and make deep connections with nature. Program runs from 9:30am to 4pm, with optional overnight on Thursday with camp ending at noon on Friday. Cost $245
Please fill out overnight camp form if applicable, and medical form

April 12
Animal Tracking Essentials

Tracking is considered the first science. Its importance was paramount to our ancestors survival. A native trackers understanding of the landscape and its animals is unparalleled, even by our best scientist. Tracking will greatly increase your awareness and relationship with our wild allies. Though wild animals are not often seen, they leave so much (like tracks, scat, rubs, trails, etc...) for us to identify and interpret. It goes so much beyond who left the track. The Art of Questioning, that I will teach you, will help in interpreting the stories the animals leave behind. It will reveal the influences of the landscape and other animals. It will help you see through the animals eyes.

Discover wildlife tracks and sign, and learn to interpret the stories that they tell. This workshop offers "tools" that will enhance your skills as a wildlife tracker. Topics will be addressed as we encounter them in the field, but they will most likely include: identifying species from tracks, scat, feeding signs, and other markings, interpreting behavior from track patterns, and understanding interactions between an animal and its environment. The workshop is open to all skill levels.

Hub Knott has thousands of hours of journaling and interpreting track and sign over the past 16 years. He has been teaching tracking for 10 years for the LES, Ivy Creek Natural area, many national gatherings, and the Virginia Master Naturalists. He is certified Level III in track and sign by Cybertracker Conservation (an international tracking evaluation system). He has studied with many well known trackers from around North America.

Age: 12+, 9-4pm, Cost: $50
Please fill out the adult registration form, no medical form needed.

April 14 - 15
Father/Son Weekend - the Skills of the Hunter/Gatherer

Come spend this special weekend in the woods together. We will spend time around the fire, telling stories, learning new crafts, and eating good food cooked over the campfire. This weekend is set up with choices for fathers and their sons to choose from- spoon making, bowdrill fire making, throwing sticks, archery and more. This is an opportunity for fathers and their sons to have a relaxing time in the woods, work on activities together, laugh, eat, and enjoy the peace of the woods with us. Besides a great weekend of fun, leave with new skills you can utilize together into the future. What more could you want?

Instructors Hub Knott and Kyle Scaggs

Sat 9 am- Sun 11am $165 (includes father and son age 6+, each additional child $50)

Please fill out 1 registration form per family with all participants name and age listed, and 1 medical form per person.

April 21 - 22
Mother/Daughter Weekend

Mother Daughter Weekend Come spend a magical weekend with your daughter immersed in the beautiful Virginia countryside with a winding river! We will connect with the natural world, cook over the fire, make wild edible teas, weave stories of mother-hood, daughter-hood throughout our day and spend special time together. Mothers and daughters will get to know local wild medicinal and edible plants, forgage, wildcraft, eat and make herbal medicines that will help keep the family healthy.

Instructor: Kate Knott and Suzanna Stone

Sat 9am - Sun 11am, $175 (includes mother and daughter age 6+, each additional child $65)
Please fill out 1 registration form per family with all participants name and age listed, and 1 medical form per person.

DATES TBA
Earth Dance - A Summer Day Camp for Children with Special Needs.

The Red Arrow Boys

This program will run seasonally (fall, winter, spring) during the school year for ages 8-15. That way we can really understand the different seasons, tasks associated with them, and the pure enjoyment of the ever-moving seasons. We will meet 1 day a month from 9-3pm. Each season will have an overnight (optional but strongly encouraged) where we can put what we learn to test. Cost is $35 for the day programs, and $65 for the overnight. Dates for the fall will be Oct 1, Nov. 12 (overnight), and Dec 3. Winter/spring dates will be given later.
The program will be held in Charlottesville, near Belvedere. The location is rich with wildlife, river, forest, meadow, and stream.   There are hundreds of acres of forest to explore, old Native American homesites, etc... I am really excited that this site opened up to us.   In this monthly boys program, we will learn the way of a woodsman and forest scout. We will focus on nature awareness, survival skills (shelter, fire, water, food), responsibility and respect- for self and others. This program will provide challenges, leadership, and community. LES staff take mentoring seriously, and are patient, caring, and supportive.   This program will not only build good woodsman skills, but will increase the confidence of the boys. All programs are led by experienced LES staff.
Each month has a theme (though we always jump on learning opportunites that come our way)
(This info is for 2011, 2012 progams coming soon)
October-   Earth Living skills
Nov. - Nut harvest, and survival shelters
Dec. - Water-find, gather, purify
Jan. - Tracking
Feb. - Winter Survival
Mar. -  Tool and hunting Crafts (practice, and great opportunity to teach deep respect for all life)
April - Navigation, Map/compass
May - Wildfoods and final adventure
There has been alot of interest in this program, so please don't delay registration.  To hold your spot, please mail in a $50 deposit, with balance due the first day of each season. If you have any questions please contact us.