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Upcoming Programs for Youth
- Ages 5-7
- September through early June (with an extended winter break). Weekly on Tuesdays, 10 am – 2 pm. Putney, VT.
Guided by longtime VWS lead instructor Bob Etzweiler. Kids explore the natural world, learn ancient wilderness living skills, and build self-confidence, teamwork, and knowledge of self, nature, and community.
- Ages 8 – 15. (Ages under 8 and over 15 considered on a case-by-case basis.)
- Saturdays, 9:30 am — 3:30 pm. Monthly, October through June in Dummerston VT.
Wild Turkeys is a three-season nature connection program for adventurous kids with a passion for the arts of wilderness living. Our instructors have stories, skills, and songs to share, challenges for those who are ready, and games to keep the group alive and wild! We are guided by the combined passions of the youth and the instructors, the seasons and weather, and the unique magic that each day has to offer.
Upcoming Programs for Adults
Natural Movement Classes – with George Leoniak
- Mondays, 8:30 – 9:30 am, starting June 11, in Brattleboro
It’s summer—Time to quit exercising indoors! Build your mobility, strength, and range of motion. Learn to move like the animal you are!
Instructor George Leoniak is one of the country’s foremost animal trackers. His teaching draws on his studies of animal movements and his many years of training his own body in natural movement. Join us as we move around the lawns and forest trails trying out different movements such as crawling, climbing, scampering, vaulting over logs, balance walking on fallen logs, learning different animal movement gaits, and more. All levels of experience and fitness are welcome.
Essentials of Resilient Community – Mentoring and Nature Connection
The Essentials of Resilient Community program, offered by Vermont Wilderness School and Amy Hyatt, takes you deeper into the practices and teachings of the Art of Mentoring, supporting you to grow as a mentor, leader, cultural creative, and designer of regenerative, resilient community – whether on a family, neighborhood, or regional scale.
The Hunter’s Heart – a hunting apprenticeship with Bob Etzweiler
- Ages 18+
- Six weekends from October through June in Putney VT. Weekends are Saturdays 9am-3pm and Sundays Sunrise-Early Afternoon
We often hear from people that they want to try hunting, but don’t know where to start. Are you intimidated or turned off by the dominant culture of hunting? Are you unfamiliar with hunting skills, equipment (including weapons), and regulations? If you actually killed an animal would you have no idea what to do next? These are just some of the common roadblocks separating us from what can be an incredible way to deepen our connection to the cycles of life and death, to our food source, and to the natural world.
SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALL VWS PROGRAMS. Thank you to our many donors for their support of VWS’s Great Blue Heron Fund for scholarships.
