Teen Courses
Our Teen programs are specially crafted to meet the needs of young adults. We develop challenges and opportunities for teens to grow and establish a true sense of independence based upon the experiential learning and discovery through our courses. All programs are conducted in a safe and rewarding environment.
TEEN FOX TRAIL ADVENTURE
Designed for Teens ages 13-17
Pre-requisites: None
This is a where it all begins. Students will be
introduced to the natural world in a new and exciting way and
given a chance to experience their own relationship with the
Forest and those animals who live there. The building blocks of
this new relationship are rooted in the ancient Primitive
Living Skills that were lived by all people throughout the
world. These skills include personal shelter construction
from only what materials the landscape provides, fire
making methods using no matches or lighters, techniques
for finding and gathering safe drinking water in the woods,
silent movement, observing animals and birds, tracks and
sign, and feeling the sense of belonging and fellowship with
the forest. Above all, the most important skill is
the cultivation of the imagination and the wonder of a
Questioning mind. The relationship one develops with Nature is
the founding for a healthy relationship with self, and so with
family and friends. This class is tailored to challenge teens
with a safe, yet adventurous week.
The Fox Trail Adventure is offered in conjunction with the
Family Fox Trail to give families an opportunity to experience
Coyote Trails at the same time. Parents, Teens and Youth
will be in separate learning groups. Meals and some
evening activities will be spent together.
TEEN TRACKING AND AWARENESS
ADVENTURE
Offered to Teens ages 13-17
Pre-requisite: Fox Trail Adventure or Family Fox Trail
Tracking is so much more than lifeless compressions upon the
ground. Join us for an intense week of tracking and pushing
through your tracking "walls" as we expand further into the
science and art of tracking. This week also incorporates
the study of bird language, concentric rings, minimizing your
own concentric rings, and the philosophy of
awareness. Are you looking to push your tracking ability
and want to open the doorway to an expanded
awareness? Do you want to walk more at one with
your surroundings? This week incorporates a positive fun
learning environment with the 'science' and the 'art' behind
tracking. It will test you on all levels.
TEEN BEAR SKILLS
Offered to Teens ages 13-17
Pre-requisites: Fox Trail Adventure or Family Fox
Trail
This intense week long course for students hones and polishes
the survival skills and craft work that were only introduced
during the Fox Trail Adventure. These primitive living
skills are works of art in the truest sense in both beauty and
function. The people's lives depended on their knowledge and
craftsmanship. We will cover advanced shelter building,
flintknapping (the art of making stone tools), bow-making,
basketry, advanced fire techniques, brain-tanning
buckskin, advanced stalking and movement, coal burned
wooden bowls and utensils, primitive pottery, and advanced
tracking techniques to name a few. It is our goal to increase
the student's appreciation for the natural world and the
beautiful and useful tools that can be created as caretakers of
the land. An opportunity to put into practice what you
learn is provided. Families and Teens will be in
separate learning groups.
TEEN PHILOSOPHY OF NATURE
Offered to Teens ages 13-17
Pre-requisite: Fox Trail Adventure of Family Fox Trails
This is where the inward exploration begins. In our
philosophy classes we will be bringing the philosophy skills
Tom teaches at his adult Tracker classes to youths and
teens. We will spend the week learning about
Grandfather's Worlds, and our ability to walk within
them. We will explore the Sacred Silence, uncover methods
for increasing awareness and learn techniques for becoming one
with the natural world around us. Tom has tailored these
teachings to the way Grandfather taught him as a child.
We will have separate groups for each age group. Be
prepared for an amazing and wild adventure into these new
worlds!
TEEN SINK & FADE
Offered to Teens ages 13-17
Pre-requisite: Fox Trail Adventure and Bear Skills or
Family Fox Trail and Family Bear Skills
The safety and health of the people depended upon the skills of
the Scouts to locate fresh water and food and to navigate the
people around danger. The ability of the Scout to sink and fade
into the landscape and move invisibly at high speeds is
both an art and a science. Skills include: advanced and
invisible shelter and fire techniques, martial arts study and
movement, high speed tracking, and expanded awareness
through the use of blindfolds and night-time
activities. This week is all about fun and new adventures.
It will re-awaken a playful and joyful way to view the
world. To sum it up, this week is like one giant game of
capture the flag. If you are ready to explore a world of
adventure and excitement, where you can never be bored
again, join us.
Wilderness Wander Quest: offered to ages 15-17
Pre-requisites: Fox Trail Adventure & Bear Skills
We will only be accepting 12 students for each course. If interested please notify us 6-12 months in advance, so that you can prepare early for this life changing and truly rewarding experience.
This experience will test your skills and allow you to get directly in touch with nature and yourself through the purity of wilderness. We will be living close to the earth, re-setting our internal clock to that of the land, letting go of our modern necessities and moving toward full primitive living. Our time will focus heavily on living the primitive skills and incorporating the philosophy of Nature and caretaking. We will venture deeper and deeper into the Oregon Wilderness while practicing all we have learned in a safe but adventurous way. The opportunity will exist to experience a solo overnight as a rite of passage for those who qualify and are interested.
"In short, this week has totally changed my
life. I am going to leave this place kicking and
screaming. I enjoyed every experience that was offered to
me, from the scouting experience, to the blindfolding, to the
traps, to the dancing. Every moment was amazing."
-Alex, 16
"The skills and fun times I have had will follow me
home. I will have so many things to do. The best
part is that I will never again have an excuse to be
bored."
-Paul, 17
Earth-Art!! (day camp)
Offered to Teens ages 13-17
Earth Art, or -as we like to spell it: eARTh! - combines art with the fundamentals of play and the exploration of nature.
This is where true fun begins! Students will be introduced to the natural world in a new and exciting way and given a chance to experience their own relationship with the natural world and creativity. All done in the tradition of the past Fine Arts Camp at Earth Teach Forest Park.
The building blocks of this new relationship are rooted in the ancient Primitive Living Skills and forms of Artistic Expression that were lived by all people throughout the world. These practices include mask making, natural sculpting projects, watercolor, sketching, creative journaling, storytelling, music, dance, personal shelter construction from only what materials the landscape provides, fire making methods using no matches or lighters, techniques for finding and gathering safe drinking water in the woods, silent movement, observing animals and birds, tracks and sign, and feeling the sense of belonging and fellowship with the forest. Above all, the most important skill is the cultivation of the imagination and the wonder of a Questioning mind.
Through the blended guidance of talented local professional artists with highly skilled Coyote Trails instructors, Earth Art students will find a deeper appreciation for cultural and creative diversity, and begin an amazing exploration of their own artistic relationship with nature, themselves, and their community.
This years classes with renowned artists are covering: Ceramics, Watercolor, Journaling, and Sketching
Class size limited to 45 so please sign up early as these classes book fast. Fees are 300- dollars for the week, all healthy and organic lunches are provided with unlimited fruit for snacking. You may bring healthy snacks with you, but No sugar of caffeinated beverages please. Registration begins promptly at 8:30am on July 16th with pickup at 4:30pm each evening.
Offered to Teens ages 13-17
Pre-requisites: None
Studying the ecology of one place and all the different interactions of the plants, animals, birds and insects and how they relate to the seasons and the ever changing weather patterns can seem an enormous journey. This class provides a grounding framework and consistent methodology to organize and retain newly discovered knowledge. We learn to fuel and sustain our curiosity and excitement for the natural world through the use of creative research, journaling and a daily study of our surroundings. When listening to the voices of the forest, watching the weather and observing mammal behavior, scientific study turns into a playful and adventurous trail of wonder and exploration.
The focus of study (plants, animals, birds, insects, fish) will change each year this class is offered.
Offered to Teens ages 13-17
Pre-requisites: Advanced Bear Skills
Living the ancient skills means maximum utilization of the materials provided through Nature. This class will give you hands-on experience in: earth shelters, making axes, hatchets, wedges, vises, spears, slings, sewing needles, awls, hooks, baskets, drills, the sharpening of wood and bone tools, advanced shelter doors, effective smoke draws for your shelter, advanced heat reflectors, rawhide cordage and containers, water containers, packs, advanced bow making, steam bending and straightening of wood, sinew preparation, dyes, clay processing and a host of so much more.
