Basic Survival Skills Workshop - Sunday, June 2, 2013
10 am - 6pm
Location: Mt. Lakes Park, Westchester County, NY
Come learn about survival skills from experienced teacher Justin Sutera. In this class we will go over the basic survival skills of shelter, water, fire, and food. Primitive techniques will be focused on, however modern tools and techniques will also be explored. We will use these survival skills to delve deeply into the art of earth living, and you will realize that “survival” does not have to mean a struggle or battle against nature. It is quite the opposite, once the proper skills are learned the landscape begins to open up to you, taking care of you as much as you take care of it.
We will cover debris hut survival shelter, lean-to shelter, as well as more advanced long term shelters like wickiup, Mandan, and wigwam. We will learn how to find and purify water with nothing modern, not even a metal pot. We will make fire from only what the landscape provides- using the ancient techniques of the bow drill and the hand drill using friction to light our fires. Lastly we will explore various edible/medicinal plants that are out there as well as hunting and trapping techniques used to obtain meat primitively.
If you are interested in learning how to provide for yourself if ever lost in the woods, or simply interested in getting closer to nature through the ancient skills of survival, come join us for this unique workshop.
Cost: $ 45 per person
Class for Adults or mature teenagers. Children under 16 need to be accompanied by a parent.
For more information or to register please email Justin at justinsutera@gmail.com or feel free to call 914-582-8927.
Come learn about survival skills from experienced teacher Justin Sutera. In this class we will go over the basic survival skills of shelter, water, fire, and food. Primitive techniques will be focused on, however modern tools and techniques will also be explored. We will use these survival skills to delve deeply into the art of earth living, and you will realize that “survival” does not have to mean a struggle or battle against nature. It is quite the opposite, once the proper skills are learned the landscape begins to open up to you, taking care of you as much as you take care of it.
We will cover debris hut survival shelter, lean-to shelter, as well as more advanced long term shelters like wickiup, Mandan, and wigwam. We will learn how to find and purify water with nothing modern, not even a metal pot. We will make fire from only what the landscape provides- using the ancient techniques of the bow drill and the hand drill using friction to light our fires. Lastly we will explore various edible/medicinal plants that are out there as well as hunting and trapping techniques used to obtain meat primitively.
If you are interested in learning how to provide for yourself if ever lost in the woods, or simply interested in getting closer to nature through the ancient skills of survival, come join us for this unique workshop.
Cost: $ 45 per person
Class for Adults or mature teenagers. Children under 16 need to be accompanied by a parent.
For more information or to register please email Justin at justinsutera@gmail.com or feel free to call 914-582-8927.
Flintknapping/Stone Tool Intensive - Sunday June 9, 2013
Location: Mt. Lakes Camp, Westchester, NY
Come learn the ancient art of flintknapping- or making useable tools out of stone. Flintknaping is one of the most ancient human skills, and there aren’t many things that feel as primal and satisfying as breaking stone to make sharp, useable cutting edges.
This workshop is for the complete beginner of seasoned flintknapper alike. We will start with the basics, and everyone will learn the theory behind flintknapping. We will talk about where to find the proper rocks, and how to tell which rocks are good.
You will get to take home anything that you make. You will be percussion flaking nodules of obsidian and pressure flaking other pieces into finished arrowheads, knifeblades, and tools.
We will also delve into pecked and ground tools such as axes, celts, and adzes, and also discuss pecking as a means of making mortars and pestels.
When living close to the earth, rocks can be your greatest allies. By learning to work with stone you start to communicate with it and can feel that ancient connection that we have to the earth.
Cost: $50 per person
Class Limited to 5 people
Class for Adults or mature teenagers. Children under 16 need to be accompanied by a parent.
For more information or to register please email Justin at justinsutera@gmail.com or feel free to call 914-582-8927.
Friction Fire Intensive Workshop Sunday June 16, 2013
Location: Mt. Lakes Camp, Westchester, NY
Come learn how to make fire the native way, by friction. This course will focus on the Bow Drill method, and each participant will carve their own bow drill kit and be able to use it by the end of the day. It will take you a lifetime to master, but I guarantee you will have success in this workshop.
You will have a chance to explore hand drill, strap drill, fire saw, fire plow, fire thong, pump drill, and mouth drill- just a few other friction fire techniques. Though these other methods are very useful, bow drill is what you will use in 90% of survival situations so it is what we will focus on.
Even if you have already made friction fire before, come and we will push your edges by harvesting our pieces directly off the landscape and using natural cordage on our bows. If you have never picked up a knife or ever made a fire this workshop is still for you. With the right instruction friction fire is easy to get a handle on and it will captivate you your whole life.
Cost : $50 per person
Class limited to 7 people
Class for Adults or mature teenagers. Children under 16 need to be accompanied by a parent.
For more information or to register please email Justin at justinsutera@gmail.com or feel free to call 914-582-8927.