o the meeting of the nameless winter wraiths.

sounds pretty ominous doesn’t it. like meeting up with people to celebrate together and choosing friday the thirteenth. like meeting at the fire under the cover of darkness in an old brickwork factory in the ravine. like traipsing around in the first snow (that i have seen) in toronto AFTER the sun has gone down.

does not sound like much fun.

but for a certain breed of city dwellers, those that can see the green through the grey, it was spectacular.

I will recount a little of what the day was like, so those who were there can recall and smile, and those who were not can look forward to rekindling that feeling of the AOM community, and come to the next one in the spring.

frankly i was a bit worried, which is rare.

i began the day, as all of the best days i can remember, awakening from a very different world of dreams to one completely white.
so being a winter child i was ecstatic.. but again a bit worried.

if people are driving to the gathering, do they have winter tires?

will everyone, especially those with kids on their first week back to school, bear the cold and snow and travel east?

chewing my lower lip a little, i composed an email to the group. the concrete rhythms.

“guess what.

its friday.

and……its snowing.

maybe you are wondering, do we still meet outside to play???

i say yes!  we are all weather creatures, especially down here in the valley.

we can see how many people we can stuff in the tipi.

please do take care making your way here. any time you arrive will be the perfect time, no rushing.

i am way to excited about the snow to write more on this thing!

until tonight.

morgan of the timber wolves. “

i found out at 4pm that the message did not go out, and no one received my soothing message to still come out to our little gathering.

it was in this frame of mind that i absent-mindedly wandered out to the firepit in the children’s garden to light the soup fire.

we, at the brickworks, make little rules to starting our fires. no paper, no lighters, but matches are allowed. one day we may get to no matches, but not yet.
armed with the box of strike anywhere matches, i pulled a roofing tile of birch bark off a shelter, and split a board for kindling.
time was ticking, 4pm….430…..445…..
the snow was still coming down and the wind kicked up. every time i lit a match and touched it to the bark a gust of wind would blow it out.
this literally happened 18 times, before i asked for help, we sang a song and the bark flared, caught the pine and crackled to life.

now, what had i committed to for the gathering? soup.

we dug through three fridges to find all kinds of unrelated vegetables and things that looked like vegetables to throw in the pot.

now we were 5. little jenny running back and forth from the kitchen with salt and pepper and whatever else we could find.

some cider in a kettle, and we had a gathering.

now for the people.

somehow, out of the snow, in one’s two’s and three’s the concrete rhythm band members came to the soup fire we had made.

since the list I sent out included almost everything, people brought preserves and tools and beer and food, and we set to a good hour of meeting greeting and eating.

we made torches with mullein and tallow, and walked off into the quarry, to a little place on the north side of a pond which the kids have named ’story-telling rocks’.

as usual, ladybird laporte had an adventure in store.

the groups were split in two, using the most ancient of techniques……one….two….one…..two…..are you a one or a two…..what am I….one’s over here…..and were told to wander out in the snow transliterating the landscape into some loose collection of odd descriptors which then we called songs.
each group would then hide a treasure to test the other groups ability to read our writing, and see which lyrics belong to what part of our adventure.

it is addictive to watch someone else walk through a landscape you spend every day in, to see what they see, and learn the land anew.

On the night of the winter gathering almost all of us who work out of the restored quarry at the brickworks were in group 1. so by the time we had our song, and switched with the other group to go out and find their treasure, they had made a map of a new trail, recorded in song, which we would never have seen through the land which we spend every day in.

our map lead to the treasure, which was hung from a nose. what looks like a nose? and we found, in a box within a bag hung from a tree, a little skull. we had a little show and tell with the skulls, and headed back to the tipi to light a fire, trade our vittles and say goodnight.

a great way to celebrate the winter, with those who love it.

i am very grateful and excited, yes at the same time, to host and hold space for such an odd group of geeky kin, and will look for that first moment when the sap rises in the trees, to say that winter is over, and the next gathering approaches.

until then.

morgan of the brickworks.

Clare Walker Leslie, author of several books on nature journaling and connecting people to nature through journaling, is coming to the hood! Our friends at the High Park Nature Centre are hosting her for a couple of workshops next weekend, and it’s a great opportunity you don’t want to miss. Kim Fry, one of our camp parents is helping put it all together… check out her story below!
When I was a young child, I was blessed to live in a part of town that still had woodlots and green areas  where I would go looking for snakes and frogs (and stumble across the occasional skunk), where I would build forts and follow tracks and get lost in nature and have epic childhood adventures.  Although I love many aspects of living in a busy urban city like Toronto, I often feel like I was one of the “last children in the woods” to reference Richard Louv and scared that my child would not get the same kinds of rich experiences that I had growing up. 
Certainly as the mother of a 9 year old girl who loves being outside and thrives on being in the natural world, I have had to be much more intentional in creating opportunities for her to feel connected and model my own efforts to prioritize connection to nature and a life long curiosity about nature.  When I first heard about the PINE project and the Coyote Mentorship model, I felt like it was an excellent way to go beyond my uneven attempts to foster this connection on our own.  I was excited that there was a community of people supporting one another to do this work and a program that Brighid could be a part of.  She was ecstatic that she was able to go to Coyote Camp this past summer and the growth that she experienced in that one week in terms of confidence, open-ness and deep connection was astounding.  We have since tried to maintain that deeper connection and one resource that has helped us greatly in raising a nature connected kid is “The Nature Connection” by award winning author Clare Walker Leslie. 
I had already been aware of Clare’s work and owned her beautiful book “How to Keep a Nature Journal”.  Although I have not sustained the daily practice of keeping a nature journal, it is a great compliment to the practice of “sit spot” as well as a beautiful way to document ones deepening relationship with nature.  I have been making giant efforts to keep a nature journal and have often wished that I could participate in a workshop with this inspiring and talented woman.  I have also worked with my daughter keeping her own nature journal and long afternoons in High Park exploring, sitting and writing in our journals has helped foster a much deeper connection to place.
For parents and educators who are committed to and interested in developing more tools for building nature connection, I strongly urge you to participate in one of Clare Walker Leslie’s workshops, read her books and try starting nature journals  with your own children.

- Kim Fry

Click here for event info

However, the response has been amazing. And inspiring. So much so, that I wanted to share some of what has come back. Here is a free-form response from one of our volunteers, Mercede Rogers, an outdoor educator and guide extraordinaire, on what she has experienced through our work together:

“The p.i.n.e. project is important to me because…it allows me to be myself – my true self in a space and city where I do not always feel welcome to be that person.

It is important to me because I love being with youth and am constantly amazed at how they push me to be a better person and to go back to my roots, follow my intuition and listen to my heart. The youth we work with are special – you can see it. There is a purity in them that is sometimes lost as we grow and p.i.n.e.  helps them (and me) to remain connected to that and explore our sense of wonder.

P.I.N.E – Equinox integrated outdoor program

After returning from our sit spots we usually do some form of debrief, I enjoy facilitating these discussions and get excited at the prospect of what we will hear each week, who will choose to share, who will listen and where will the conversation take us.

We had been working on awareness of our senses – each week focusing on a sense and really honouring what we could learn from it. It was incorporated into our opening stories, songs, activities and take home questions. This week we were focusing on FEEL. So naturally when we (the instructors) had brainstormed some questions to get the kids rolling, the obvious one being: “When you were at your sit spot, what did you feel?” An open ended question that could be relatively easy to answer – we were hoping to get some of the quieter students involved.

Question posed, hands shot up. I prepared myself and addressed someone to share. I say ‘prepared’ myself because in delivering one question if it’s a flop its nice to have a back-up…a way to expand or regroup naturally (I blame this organization on the teacher in me). Right out of the gate the response we got was this:

“I felt at peace” – from the student I had addressed to share

“I felt gratitude” – interrupted a second student

I felt like I was going to cry. In anticipating their answers I was considering things like: “I felt the rough bark of the white pine tree” or perhaps “I felt the cool earth beneath my feet” or simply but beautifully: “I felt the wind against my cheek” – at that moment I knew I had greatly underestimated these young people.

I thanked them for sharing as another hand shot up.

My pulse was racing as my heart was growing at a rate I wasn’t accustomed to and my body was trying to react.

“I felt my trees heartbeat”

Boom. It was like I was hit in the face with her words. I wanted to run over and hug young Lilly but fearing my heart would explode I instead decided to push her to explain what she meant…to share what that was like…she looked at me as if I was an alien and simply said:

“Well it was a heartbeat…in my tree”

Duh.

When asked why P.I.N.E is important or why it exists the answers seem so obvious…in the same way that hearing the heartbeat of a tree is obvious – because it is. Being close to nature is an inherent part of who we are but for far too many of us that connection remains a mystery – P.I.N.E helps to awaken the deep-rooted bond people have with the earth.

Reflections on p.i.n.e.

When I first began working with the grade fours I had no idea how lucky I was. I underestimated all that could be learned by such a focused amount of time with the same group in the same space.

I joined the program in the winter. The class would take the bus from school every second Friday and head North, transferring at Coxwell station to another bus and continuing on their journey where one or two of us would anxiously await them at the arranged bus stop. The rest of the facilitators would be waiting in the ravine. If I was one of the people waiting in the ravine for them depending on their instructions from those above we may or may not hear them on their way down the long cement stairs and across the wooden bridge to what had become our little sanctuary. Sometimes yips and yelps could be heard as they slid down the hill, other times only the rustling of bushes and the flashes of bright coloured jackets would show through the brush as they tried (and sometimes succeeded) at sneaking up on us – making good use of their developing movement skills.

Beginning a program in the winter has its ups and downs. Something that I did not anticipate was the lack of leaves and brush that would – in other seasons – conceal our group. Boundaries were set and walked around together. A mutual understanding of safety and space is shared as well as the knowledge of where to meet and what to do if someone needs help. Each week the group would have an opportunity to travel in the space on their own; in their own way, at their own speed. Not once did they venture beyond the scope of our invisible fences, as they had no need. Everything they needed to do and see could be done and seen in the space provided if only they took the time to do and see.

As the season progressed and leaves and brush started to come in and the ground grew warmer it became more challenging to see our group as we explored the hillside. One day a supply teacher arrived with the group, volunteering her time and hoping to satisfy her curiosity about the program. After the opening circle in which instructions were delivered, discussion had, and decisions made the group ventured forth into what could now be deemed the forest – full branches and tall grasses blocked our eyes. Startled she asked how we knew where the children were and how could we be sure they stayed in the boundaries? The simple yet powerful thing that came to mind was simply that we trusted them. They had never given us any reason not to before and we developed a trust with one another that enabled them to be independent and explore a space. At this point the group did not feel like a guest in this space but a friend, returning to visit their favorite trees and sit spots, to see how much the wild leek had grown in the last two weeks or to say hello to the garlic mustard that overtook the path. They were a part of this land and felt an intimate connection to it – and thus their bond was such that they wouldn’t consider leaving it. With nervous laughter the teacher wondered how we would find everyone and come back together as a group? As if on cue crow calls and coyote howls could be heard along the hillside as children appeared out of the brush, grasses and trees and reassembled in our circle at our meeting spot. The call being carried from one voice to another all along the hill until each individual was back with the group. Needless to say, we also have a high staff to student ratio, about 1 to 4. That helps too.

I walked away from that day with the word trust on my mind. It was not enough that these people trusted their teachers, instructors and one another but that they also trusted the land. In spending a few hours every few weeks in the same space the relationship that developed could be described as nothing short of profound. It is experiences such as these that our youth need – we all need – and I am so honoured to have been able to be a part of this as I too was able to develop a connection with this space.  Although I have been away from it for a few months now, often my mind wanders to my sit spot there and to the Trout Lillies and Jewelweed that continue to grow.

It’s the holiday season, and so our gift certificates are again a favourite!

Gift certificates from the p.i.n.e. project are a great way to give an experience that keeps on giving! Gift the gift of knowledge, skill, and learning!

Gift certificates are valid for any course offered throughout the year, including our line of adult programs, childrens programs, and family programs! They expire one year from the date purchased, and must be used to register for a course before this time.

Gift certificates can be purchased in $50, $100, and $200 amounts. Click on the amount you’d like to purchase, and email us the name that should appear on the gift certificate, and the address to mail it to. We’ll put it together and send it along to the address given. Priority mail will cost extra.

If you would like to advance our cause of connection community and nature, you can also give the gift of a tax deductible donation, as a gift from you, or on behalf of another! Follow the link to our partner at CanadaHelps to donate, look for the Dedications/Gift Options section after you’ve selected to donate.

Deepening Awareness, Developing Skills & Passing it On…..

Join the p.i.n.e project one weekend every month, January through June 2012 for our earth skills and mentoring apprenticeship. Gain incredible skills and experiences in the wilderness. Learn tools and methods to inspire profound connection with the natural world.
We’ll dive into skills of the modern hunter-gatherer, naturalist, and “coyote mentor” and how these create resilience in people. This is a great opportunity for teachers, parents and anyone interested in deepening their connection with the natural world and learning to work with the land in a mutually beneficial relationship.

Over the 6 month period you will get focused mentoring in:

• Wildlife Tracking in Toronto & the Algonquin Park area
• Hazards in nature
• Edible & medicinal plant harvesting & preparations
• Tuning your senses and awareness to natures baseline
• Making waterproof containers & baskets from natural materials
• Making simple tools out of stone & glass
• Learning to move undetected by birds and wildlife through various environments
• Beginning to understand what birds are communicating to us & each other
• Learning survival skills of the ancient & modern hunter gatherer
• Making fire by friction (bow & hand drill) in various weather conditions
• Building shelters that will keep you dry & warm any season of the year

In addition to the skills listed above, participants will also learn more about a very important cultural skill: The Art of Mentoring and passing it on. Sundays will be dedicated to studying the art of natural learning & coyote mentoring. Participants will get to apply everything learned to date by helping mentor others at a local tracking and nature club under the guidance of p.i.n.e. Staff. Afterwards you will have the opportunity to debrief the experience with fellow participants and program leads.

For more information see the webpage here!

As fall moves along and the trees turn, we’re feeling thankful for so many things! Salmon jumping up the Humber river, bright colours in the forest, seeds falling, and harvest time in the gardens!

Many things are changing, and we wanted to share a few new opportunities popping up in our Global Community. Jon Young, author of the Coyote’s Guide to Nature Connection and co-founder of The 8 Shields Institute in California, is working with a team at 8 Shields to create opportunities and tools to help people around the world connect with nature and community.
Jon is also the creator of the Art of Mentoring course that we host locally each August. Rumour has it that one day he’ll be coming to visit us on the course! Can’t wait!

Anyhow, be sure to check these resources out, they’re new from Jon and 8 Shields. And share them with those you know!

8 Gifts from Nature – Free video series!

Community and Nature Mentoring Call series

Online Village

Happy Fall!

“We’re deeply grateful for the most amazing and powerful week of learning, connecting, and play. Thank you all for your hard work and for helping to make the experience so incredible. I’m so grateful for the scholarship as well, that made it possible for the four of us to attend. Perhaps Christopher, who was exploring with the teens all week, summed it up best for all of us when he said “I feel new”. We all feel new, and super excited to continue working with all that we learned, on a daily basis and with our community. Christopher is one of many who struggle in school. I was so moved when the night we got home he decided to stay up late in bed and make a list of 20 birds of prey (his commitment) so that he can memorize them over the next two weeks. Suddenly, not only is he interested in learning about birds, but he’s taking initiative to learn about them himself! After experiencing the AOM I’m not surprised, but it’s pretty incredible to see the difference between not caring about force-fed facts and being inspired and excited to discover and experience more. How can I possibly find proper words of gratitude for transformations such as this?
We look forward to seeing you next year and to being in touch through our ‘Granite Shield’ (Muskoka AOM regional group) clan.
With many thanks we wish you all the best,
Stephanie, David, Christopher and Alexa.”

Our big announcement is that the dates for the Ontario Art of Mentoring 2012 are August 20-25. Plan your calendars now, and we’ll see you there!
PS here are some photos from the week to share!

There are still spots open for the Art of Mentoring, this August 22-27, 2011. Book quickly before they’re all gone!

The Art of Mentoring has deeply impacted educators, parents, and entire schools in the local community in the year since it was brought to Canada, don’t miss your chance to gain tools and experiences that can really impact your children, your home, your community, and yourself!

Find out more about the course content, staff team, scholarship opportunities, and the various programs available for children, teens, adults, and seniors:  Click Here!

Amy Hyatt, the Director of the Vermont Wilderness School (hosting one of the longest running Art of Mentoring gatherings in the world) describes it like this:
“The Art of Mentoring is a 6-day immersion and exploration of remembering how to create healthy, regenerative communities — villages where people of all ages are in deep relationship with the land, each other, and themselves.  It is a workshop that shares tangible tools and practices that you can incorporate into your life to encourage healthy relationships and community.  Today, there are well over 100 schools, organizations and neighborhoods that are consciously using the Art of Mentoring, also known as the 8 Shields, to create programs and events that help to reestablish individual and community practices that encourage resilient relationships with self, each other, and Nature.  For those familiar with “Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature” by Jon Young, Ellen Haas, and Evan McGown, this workshop will help you in applying the guide in your life and in mentoring others.”

In many ancient cultures, singing is like breathing: natural and necessary for the community’s vitality. We will experience the power of music in community by learning songs from various traditions, playing with games and simple body percussion, experimenting with friendly improvisation games, and working to create original pieces. Nature will be our container for the weekend. Also known as “The Great Teacher”, we will spend time discovering the inherent rhythms and songs that nature has to teach us. In turn, this will help us tune into ourselves and the songs that want to rise out of us. This is a great opportunity to reconnect with YOUR voice in a safe environment. No experience necessary, you do not even have to identify as a “singer” to participate.
Singing inspires, unifies, and restores the community fabric; therefore everyone’s voice is important in building a truly diverse vocal community. Come expand your musical creativity and empower your voice through community song!

Workshop dates: