Twin Eagles Wilderness School
eNewsletter - January 2015
Greetings from Twin Eagles Wilderness School! Here in the midst of the winter season, we're appreciative of this quieter time of year. A thick blanket of snow covers the ground here in Sandpoint. This is always a special time to be out on the land, following clear strings of animal tracks, working on earth crafts, and spending plenty of time telling stories around the warm fires in our natural shelters.
We're gearing up for our biggest spring and summer camp seasons yet, and we're excited to announce that a new online registration system will be up and running soon. We're also working on some very exciting new programs coming in autumn 2015, so stay tuned!
Here's what is in store for you in this months newsletter:
- Feature Article: How to Raise Chickens Naturally
- Wilderness Immersion Program Update
- Winter Programs 2015
Feature Article: How to Raise Chickens Naturally
Learning how to raise chickens begins with the pleasure of knowing that a meaningful relationship can be fostered with another living being alongside knowing where one's food comes from like meat or eggs. Having chickens around us offers us empathy into what life is like for another living being. They give us companionship, beauty and affection that we might not otherwise get were we to routinely buy eggs or cellophane wrapped chicken from the store. Whether it be weed or insect control or a more healthy or flavorful egg we're after let's take a closer look at ways to get started in chicken raising.
Choose your Chickens Wisely - As you learn how to raise chickens it's impossible to make decisions in isolation simply because there are so many considerations and like everything in nature, they are all connected. With this in mind, here are some things to consider when answering that big question of how to raise chickens:
Twin Eagles Wilderness Immersion Program Update
The Snow Cave Expedition
January at the Twin Eagles Wilderness Immersion Program is a blast, full of amazing experiences like snow tracking, primitive pottery, crafting gourd containers, primitive weaving, and using the whole deer, but our biggest highlight is perhaps The Snow Cave Expedition. Here is an article we wrote last year that is a beautiful window into the experience:
Our Wilderness Immersion Program has just returned from our annual Snow Cave Expedition, and what a journey it has been. Five full days living in the high mountains, traveling by snowshoe, sleeping in snow caves, powerful bonds being deepened, and clear reflection of each individual's "inner mountain" that had to be climbed in order to complete the expedition.
It is so rare in our modern world for anyone to spend five complete days outside in any season, let alone in the freezing temperatures and high mountains of Idaho in January. This brought out the very best from each individual, and called our group together like nothing else.
Participants had the opportunity to navigate using topo maps, guiding the group to our destination. The journey was about surrendering to the mountain, not conquering it. What wisdom does it offer us? That was the quest. Mistakes turned into learning moments, and in the end we reached our summit with tremendous pride and great insight.
The snow cave itself was like an ice castle. It was a huge job to build, and took the combined effort of each individual involved. Only by working together like this were we able to achieve what we intended. Super insulated and well designed to capture every bit of body heat possible, it got so warm inside that we had to get out of our sleeping bags at time to avoid overheating. All without any heat source other than our own bodies!
At our summit camp, the space was timeless and celebratory. Wandering through the peaks and ridge lines, exploring frozen lakes, tracking winter wildlife all led to a deep sense of peace. Somewhere up there, something shifted deep inside each of us. Something within us surrendered to the truth of winter.
The journey down the mountain went by like a flash, and before we knew it the group was back at Twin Eagles main campus, being welcomed home with the warmth of a nourishing meal and community elders. These are local community members versed in the culture of Twin Eagles, individuals who have a wealth of deep nature connection and mentoring experiences themselves, connected with their authentic wisdom.
They held space for our group as the story was shared, and supported individuals to draw deep lessons that were transferable to all other areas of life. We each brought a piece of the mountain, and winter, back with us, as well as a deep connection to one another that has the quality of family.
These are the experiences that define us, that allow us to see who we really are, to find our people, to fall in love with nature. This is why we do what we do.
In the end, the experience was that of authentically befriending winter. Whereas before there were still elements of each of us that resisted the cold and darkness of winter, this journey brought us to a true oneness with the season. Now on the other side there is a certain freedom that exists for each of us. Being outside and feeling the cold wind is a welcome joy, exhilarating to the body and soul. It is as if we passed through a secret doorway that allows us to be authentically comfortable for the next few months. Until next year, when we'll renew our peace with winter once again. Will you join us?
Do you yearn to feel like a part of nature rather than an onlooker? Do you feel a responsibility to our Earth? Are you seeking your contribution to the world? Do you want to fully experience nature rather than just learn about it? Do you want to find a community of like minded people? Are you seeking truth, the truth of who you really are?
If you answered yes to even some of these questions, then consider the Twin Eagles Wilderness Immersion Program. It is all about taking the essence of nature and weaving it into our modern experience. It is about feeling the kinship that comes only from roaming the wilderness together. It is about diving deep into the underground of human consciousness, and discovering the hidden gems that await. It is about deep mentoring that brings out the very best of who you are.
The Twin Eagles Wilderness Immersion Program is a transformational, nine month journey that brings back to life the skills and wisdom of our earth based ancestors:
Wilderness Survival & Primitive Skills
Wildlife Tracking
Wild Edible & Medicinal Plants
Permaculture & Regenerative Design
Nature Based Mentoring & Cultural Restoration
Naturalist Training
Bird Language & Native Scout Teachings
Inner Tracking - Know Thyself
This program is a huge step forward on the path of deeply connecting with nature, community, and consciousness.
Enrollment is currently open for the 2015-2016 year. Interested, or know someone who might be? Learn more about the Twin Eagles Wilderness Immersion Program here, and please spread the word about this amazing program!
Weekend Teen Wilderness Programs
Twin Eagles Seasonal Teen Rendezvous
For teens ages 13 - 18 · Locations throughout the Inland Northwest
Weekends run Friday evening through Sunday Afternoon
Autumn, Winter, & Spring Sessions
Twin Eagles Seasonal Teen Rendezvous offers awesome experiences to teens throughout the Inland Northwest and beyond to sink deep roots to the earth through wilderness skills while soaring high through full-on group adventures. Teens learn leadership by working together as well as applying their sensitivities through ancient earth based skills and crafts. This is a powerful opportunity for teens to encounter the wild around them. As well, teens have a chance to touch their own inner wildness by giving unique voice to their inner selves amongst a community of peers and mentors.
Winter 2015 Session: Fri Feb 20 - Sun Feb 22 - Primitive Skills & Crafts
Spring 2015 Session: Fri Apr 24 - Sun Apr 26 - The Walkabout
Click here to learn more about Twin Eagles Seasonal Teen Rendezvous!
Winter Blessings!
Tim Corcoran
co-Director & co-Founder
Twin Eagles Wilderness School
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Header photo courtesy Joseph Rocchio Photography
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