Year of the Coyote:
Adult Nature Connection & Community Intensive Program -Is there something missing in your life? -Are you looking for authentic connection with others who are interested in nature? -Would you like to bring nature connection home to your children? -Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Imagine it: In the circle of pines, a community of adults gathers together each month for a year. Their weekends together are full of laughing, singing, playing games, learning new skills, exploring the natural world, telling stories, asking questions, stretching their edges, growing. In the presence of each other, they blossom and unfold like wildflowers. They are wild and rich human beings, growing ever more vibrant and alive, coming home to nature, coming home to one another, coming home to themselves. This is our vision. This is what we do. Would you like to join us? Program intention: To explore connective ways of relating to the natural world and each other. Our goal is to get you in your BODY, in your HEART, in the WOODS, and in with other PEOPLE. To do so, we follow the natural cycle of learning and employ a balanced model that incorporates both hands-on, tangible “hard” skills and hearts-on, invisible “soft” skills developed in tandem through experiential practice. Weekends offer a wide sampling of topics in nature connection and community. Topics include nature connection skills (such as sensory awareness, bird language, scout games, and tracking), primitive survival skills (such as fire, shelter, edible and medicinal plants), and community building and interpersonal skills (such as conscious communication, listening, and peacemaking). All this (and more) await 14 adult students each year. Elements of the Program 10 Weekend Gatherings from August to May. Each gathering is either a 3-day weekend, Friday night through Sunday afternoon. Each weekend we will camp together in temporary community. There will also be a group "survival trip"...the final culminating "test" in skills of both connection to nature and ability to work together in community. Mentors and Visiting Teachers: Sessions are crafted and executed by Sara Callaway, the YOC staff, and a team of Year of the Hawk advanced adult program participants. Many weekends will have visiting instructors and local Southeastern experts in their fields. The visiting instructor(s) for this year include:
Tuition & Payment: The YOC program is $210/weekend for 10 weekends. Tuition includes camping, 2+ meals per weekend, materials, and instruction. Total tuition for the year is $2100. We understand that this is a lot of money and encourage you to not let that stand in the way of your participation. We are committed to making our programs accessible to the community, and we offer both scholarships and payment plans. Contact us for information on our payment plans. Email Sarah Hubbard: [email protected] Check out our Scholarship Application for details and to apply. |
Graduate Testimonials
“The Coyote program pushed me beyond what I thought I was capable of accomplishing, both as an individual and as a member of a loving community. I felt accepted by the other participants, challenged to become a better environmental citizen, and empowered to live my own story of nature connection. I cannot recommend this program more to people who are looking to expand their understandings of community and ecosystem engagement.” -Jennifer D. “The Year of the Coyote program reignited my connection to nature and reminded me of my childhood love of being outside. It taught me to be more comfortable in nature when the elements weren't ideal, both from the skills I learned and from the connection to people through nature.” -Sarah F. “The Year of the Coyote was transformative in a way I didn’t expect. It caused me to ask questions that led me to important changes in my life. Those questions continue to inform my direction, and that direction is ever more in alignment with my deepest desires. I feel such immense gratitude for this experience. I can’t recommend it enough.” -Sara C Ready? Apply Now! Application Process Due to limited enrollment, we require that every person complete the application process. While we wish we could accept everyone, space is limited and not all who apply will necessarily be able to take part in the program. In selecting applicants, we seek to create a diverse learning community, in terms of gender, race, culture, age/life-stage and other factors. To apply, download the form below and email it to [email protected] or mail it to: PO Box 1441 Athens, GA 30603 Application Deadline: August 1, 2014
Program Dates & Topics
August 22-24: Opening Weekend, Friction Fire, Awareness Practice, “Crossing the Threshold” September 12-14 : Plants, Trees, & Ecology with Luke Learningdeer, and Plant Medicine with Kerry Fulford October 3-5: Knife Skills, Stickcraft, & Campcraft with Alex Kilgore, and NVC with John Lash November 7-9: Bird Language & Sit Spot with Sarah Hubbard December 5-7: Mammals, Tracking, & Food with Tommy Tye and Chuck Thomson January 16-18: Shelter February 20-22 : Solo Fire Sit March 13-15: Scout Games April 10-12 : Survival Trip! May 1-2: Integration Weekend and Closing May 3: (Graduation) |