Vermont Outdoor Guide Association

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Tracking Club - Dates: Sundays, 11 AM - 1 PM
Tracking takes constant practice. It takes time with your knees in the dirt or snow, measuring, drawing, and observing to build the relationships that will allow you to read the stories of the forest. The club is normally an informal wander utilizing whatever lessons we come across. Notebooks, pencils, and measuring tapes are always welcome. The only thing you must bring is your passion for tracking. Location: Meets at Goddard College lower parking lot in Plainfield, VT. Cost: Free ROOTS School, www.RootsVT.com

June 23-25, ACA Coastal Kayak Trip Leader Training and Assessment
Location:  Saint Michael's College/Lake Champlain, Instructor:  Todd Wright, Course Fee:  $225.00 Does not include lodging or meals. Note:  Individuals must be current members of the ACA before assessment. Todd A Johnstone-Wright, Director of Wilderness Programs, Saint Michael's College, Wilderness Program 324, One Winooski Park , Colchester, Vermont 05439 - twright@smcvt.edu, http://www.smcvt.edu/wilderness, Phone: 802.654.2614, Fax: 802.654.2688.

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June 28 - 29, 2008 Class 2 Whitewater Clinic
(ACA Sanctioned) Beginner level trip with emphasis on basic strokes and maneuvers for whitewater kayakers, open solo canoers, and open tandem canoers. When: The clinic is June 28 & 29. Camping will be the nights of June 27 & 28. Where: Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River. Meet: Zoar Picnic Area @ 9:00 AM on Saturday. Craig Carline (aka CJ) craig.carline@verizon.net craig.carline@casella.com (weekdays befo! re 5:00 PM) 802-236-7459 Vermont Paddlers Club

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June 28 and 29; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. - - SOLO Wilderness First Aid
GMC Headquarters Back Forty Lodge, Waterbury Center
Sign up early – this course fills fast! This sixteen-hour, hands-on course will prepare you to deal with medical emergencies in the field. The focus is on the prevention, recognition, and treatment of backcountry injuries and illnesses. Wilderness First Aid certification or WFR recertification provided upon completion. Instructors: SOLO staff. Fee: $180. Juliet Barash, Group Outreach Specialist, Green Mountain Club, 4711 Waterbury-Stowe Rd., Waterbury Center, VT 05677 (802) 244-7037 Ext. 27 groups@greenmountainclub.org

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July 7 - 13, 2008 - Seven Day Intensive Wild Plants Course
This course is devoted just to the study of wild plants.  We will spend the entire week learning to identify over 90 edible and medicinal plants.  Not only will you get to see these plants, but you will also learn how to gather, harvest, and prepare them.  You'll even get to eat some delicious wild plants. We usually prepare one whole meal with what we have gathered.  You'll learn how to make all kinds of healing salves, cough syrups, mixtures, essences, soaps, and tinctures from over 35 common medicinal plants.  You'll also learn how to make flour, cordage and natural dyes.  All materials we use during the course are natural and do not contain any petroleum products.  Everything you make will be yours to take home.  This course will be held at our base camp, but there will be many side trips taken to special areas. There is no prerequisite for this course. As with all of our courses, each night we will have a great campfire with interesting and informative group discussions.  Cost is $780. The Wilderness Learning Center, 435 Sandy Knoll Road, Chateaugay, New York  12920 518-497-3179 Email:  wlcwe@localnet.com  www.weteachu.com

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July 10, 11 - East Calais, Tracking and Awareness  Cost: $150  Deposit: $50
Arguably the oldest human science, tracking takes human cerebral abilities to their ultimate limits. So much more than simply answering questions, tracking is an entirely new way of looking at the world. This class is directed at hunters, naturalists, and any and all who love to read the stories of wild in the earth beneath their feet. The class will cover the basics of tracking such as clear print identification, gait studies and interpretation, sign tracking, cluster tracking and much more. We will spend time looking at compression tracks and learning to track in different substrates. As well as tracking we will be discussing the importance of awareness and learn ancient techniques of how to open your senses to the world around you and observe a greater depth in the forests. ROOTS School, www.RootsVT.com

July 12, 13 Overnight East Calais, Advanced Tracking and Awareness  Cost: $175, Deposit: $50
The Summer Tracking and Awareness and Advanced Tracking and Awareness are available as a package for $300. ROOTS School, www.RootsVT.com

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July 20-25, 2008, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Course for Educators
Vermont’s popular fish and wildlife summer course for teachers and other educators is slated for July 20-25, 2008, and presently there are still a number of openings remaining.  The hands-on field course that gets educators out into Vermont’s streams, forests and wetlands with some of the state’s leading experts takes place at the Buck Lake Conservation Camp in Woodbury.  Now in its 25th year, “Fish and Wildlife Management for Educators,” is a one-week, three-credit graduate course taught by Vermont Fish & Wildlife and other Agency of Natural Resources staff through Johnson State College.  Fish & Wildlife’s education manager, Mark Scott, who has organized and coordinated the program since its beginning, feels the program plays an important educational role for Vermont. Tuition is $400 for the week -- books, food and overnight facilities included.  A course description and schedule of activities are available from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website at www.vtfishandwildlife.com under “general education.”  You can also contact them by calling (802) 241-3701 or emailing janet.finn@state.vt.us. Buck Lake Conservation Camp in located east of Route 14, north of Woodbury Village.

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July 20 - 26, 2008 - Seven Day Basic Wilderness Survival
This course is a prerequisite to all advanced courses.  It is a very comprehensive course that begins with understanding survival psychology.  Then the fun really begins!  We will cover all areas of basic wilderness survival that includes fire making techniques; constructing shelters from natural materials; finding and purifying water; utilizing tools and equipment; using a map and compass, as well as celestial navigation; knots, ropes, and making cordage; identifying  edible and medicinal plants; basic trapping techniques involving constructing and placement of snares and deadfalls; organizing and using survival kits (possible bags); fishing; signaling; how not to get lost; and much, much more.  There will be a lot of  classroom and hands-on field training, and both primitive and modern techniques will be taught.  Every skill learned in the classroom will be practiced in the field.  We want you to leave this course feeling totally confident and comfortable in the wilderness.  Nowhere will you find a course as complete and enjoyable.  Cost is $780. The Wilderness Learning Center, 435 Sandy Knoll Road, Chateaugay, New York  12920 518-497-3179 Email:  wlcwe@localnet.com  www.weteachu.com

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July 27 -August 2 , 2008 - Seven Day Advanced Wilderness Survival
This course begins at our base camp and takes the basics you've learned many steps further. After a review of all previously learned skills you will learn some new ones.  These will include the familiarization of survival weapons, both primitive and modern; basic wilderness first aid; tracking and signing; off road vehicle recovery and much more.  Then you're going to put the skills you've learned to the test.  Given a minimal amount of gear, you will set out from our base camp as a group and use your navigational skills to find a designated location.  Once there you will set up a temporary camp and spend three days and two nights in a simulated survival situation.  You will be provided food (it is simulated and we're not going to let anyone starve out there), but you will have to improvise with your knowledge, wits, and your possible bag in order to "survive" your ordeal.   Then we'll return to the base camp for a good meal, showers and  a critique of your survival experience.  Cost is $780.  The Wilderness Learning Center, 435 Sandy Knoll Road, Chateaugay, New York  12920 518-497-3179 Email:  wlcwe@localnet.com  www.weteachu.com

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August 1, 2008, Hunter Education Course, includes Bow Hunter Education
REGISTRATION from 6:00 - 6:30 PM COURSE INSTRUCTION from 6:30 - 9 PM Home study for two weeks then continue on SATURDAY & SUNDAY, AUGUST 16th and 17th. COURSE INSTRUCTION from 8 AM - 4 PM   Lunch provided. MUST ATTEND ALL SESSIONS.  DO NOT BE LATE! NESHOBE SPORTSMAN CLUB, 97 FROG HOLLOW ROAD (off Rte 73 east), BRANDON, VT. For more info call Tom Cram at 802-483-6705

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August 10 - 16 - Seven Day Basic Wilderness Survival
This course is a prerequisite to all advanced courses.  It is a very comprehensive course that begins with understanding survival psychology.  Then the fun really begins!  We will cover all areas of basic wilderness survival that includes fire making techniques; constructing shelters from natural materials; finding and purifying water; utilizing tools and equipment; using a map and compass, as well as celestial navigation; knots, ropes, and making cordage; identifying  edible and medicinal plants; basic trapping techniques involving constructing and placement of snares and deadfalls; organizing and using survival kits (possible bags); fishing; signaling; how not to get lost; and much, much more.  There will be a lot of  classroom and hands-on field training, and both primitive and modern techniques will be taught.  Every skill learned in the classroom will be practiced in the field.  We want you to leave this course feeling totally confident and comfortable in the wilderness.  Nowhere will you find a course as complete and enjoyable.  Cost is $780. The Wilderness Learning Center, 435 Sandy Knoll Road, Chateaugay, New York  12920 518-497-3179 Email:  wlcwe@localnet.com  www.weteachu.com

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East Calais, Wilderness Survival Immersion Project 2008-2009
August 10, 2008 - Registration and Deposit Due
The Wilderness Survival Immersion Project is a nine month journey into the world of wilderness survival skills. The program consists of intensive immersion weekends focused around the arts of procuring and producing shelter, water, fire, and food. Tracking and awareness will be a running theme to be built upon during each weekend. The course will intensify and focus throughout the year pushing students from beginners to competent and proficient survival practitioners. The course ends with a four day survival trip in which we will test our learning and put our trust in the bounty of the Earth. ROOTS School, www.RootsVT.com

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August 15, 16, 17 Overnight  - East Calais, 3 Day Ancient Scout
Prerequisite: Tracking and Awareness  Cost: $350  Deposit: $75
For many tribes of native people, survival depended on the awareness, skill, and cunning of their scouts. The scouts held the role of protectors by being the eyes and ears of the tribe. The skills of high speed invisible survival, stealth, natural camouflage, martial arts, traps, tracking, team movement, and advanced awareness were all brought to their highest levels by the ancient scouts who protected our ancestors. This course will be an introduction to this vast world. Days will be long and filled with a variety of the previously mentioned skills, and nights will be late with nighttime exercises challenging students to apply what they have learned. Must be willing to work through demanding situations in a team and learn through edge experiences. Fast-paced, high-intensity, and as much fun as we know how to have. As well as the Roots Instructor Staff, Ben Goodrich, of New England Ninjutsu will joining us to instruct in basic Taijustsu techniques. ROOTS School, www.RootsVT.com

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August 17 - 23, 2008 - Seven Day Basic Wilderness Survival
This course is a prerequisite to all advanced courses.  It is a very comprehensive course that begins with understanding survival psychology.  Then the fun really begins!  We will cover all areas of basic wilderness survival that includes fire making techniques; constructing shelters from natural materials; finding and purifying water; utilizing tools and equipment; using a map and compass, as well as celestial navigation; knots, ropes, and making cordage; identifying  edible and medicinal plants; basic trapping techniques involving constructing and placement of snares and deadfalls; organizing and using survival kits (possible bags); fishing; signaling; how not to get lost; and much, much more.  There will be a lot of  classroom and hands-on field training, and both primitive and modern techniques will be taught.  Every skill learned in the classroom will be practiced in the field.  We want you to leave this course feeling totally confident and comfortable in the wilderness.  Nowhere will you find a course as complete and enjoyable.  Cost is $780. The Wilderness Learning Center, 435 Sandy Knoll Road, Chateaugay, New York  12920 518-497-3179 Email:  wlcwe@localnet.com  www.weteachu.com

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August 29-31, Sept 1 Overnight -  East Calais, Four Day Survival Basic
Shelter, Water, Fire, Food. These are the four things needed by all people to survive in the wilderness. For millions of years these skills and understandings of the human family allowed them not just to survive, but to thrive, in almost every ecosystem on the earth. The first step in the long process of regaining this information and experience is learning how to provide for ourselves in a survival situation. To build a shelter that will keep you warm and dry with no modern tools or materials, to collect and purify water primitively, to build a fire without lighters or matches and to use it as a tool, and to find and harvest plants and animals for food, are the core skills that will be taught in this four day class. Students should expect full days of learning and hands on workshops and be prepared for hard work and a fast-paced extensive curriculum. Cost: $500 Deposit: $100 ROOTS School, www.RootsVT.com

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August 29 to 31, 2008, New England Intermediate Rough Water Symposium
Point Judith, Rhode Island, USA
Maine Island Kayak Co in association with Nigel Dennis Kayaks is again hosting an Intermediate Rough Water Training Symposium in the warm waters surrounding Point Judith Rhode Island, USA the weekend of Labor Day, August 29th  - August 31st, 2008. Year 2008’s Symposium will again focus on skills and play geared towards the intermediate+ paddler in rock gardens, surf training and the tidal streams off of Fishers Island, Ct….home to Race Rock Light; “the Race” as it’s known to locals.  The Race is several miles offshore and provides current in the 3 knot range on flood and faster on the ebb.  A less dramatic and committed journey is readily available at the other end of Fishers Island, while still offering valuable tidal work. This year we can access one early morning flood and an afternoon ebb. Combine that with a lick of wind and our seasonal storms and conditions would be within the remit to hold our 5 star programs each day. For more information, visit: http://www.maineislandkayak.com/symposium.html

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September 27-29 Overnight  - East Calais, VT. Hide Tanning Workshop
For most of our species’ existence, humans have been using the skins of animals for clothing, a very important consideration in the art of providing shelter for one’s self and others. In this 3-day workshop you will learn how to transform a fresh deer hide into soft, luxuriant buckskin. We will be focusing on the wet-scrape method, taking participants step-by-step through the sequence of this ancient process. This workshop is a direct learning, experiential event where participants learn by doing. Lecture content includes the details of each stage of the wet-scrape process, as well as what to make with the rest of the animal, such as the bones and sinew. We will also cover patterns and design ideas for what to make with the beautiful buckskin that you will tan during the weekend. Cost: $300, Deposit: $100 Register by August 24 - ROOTS School, www.RootsVT.com

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October 12 East Calais, VT. - Cooking with Fire and Stone
Cooking and fire have always maintained a close relationship, yet in modern times that direct association has been largely disguised by the mediation of stoves and ovens. To cook over a controlled fire is entirely another experience connecting you to traditions that extend back thousands of years. This class will cover various techniques of cooking; fire construction and wood selection, rock boiling, a steam pit or smoke pit, coal roasting, ash and clay baking, drying and seasoning with wild and local foods. We will also be examining the different tools employed that are so necessary to preparing and handling food. While we allow the food to cook there will be materials provided to create your own container and utensil. Cost: $75, Deposit: $20 ROOTS School, www.RootsVT.com