Skills of the Artisan: Knife Training, Making At-Latls & Working with Hides

Would you like to make the principle tool that helped humans dominate the landscape and expand across the globe? Have you ever wondered how to make beautiful leather traditionally, and how to honor animal hides with a plethora of uses? Have you wondered by your hands get overly tired when using knives and other tools, or wondered how to keep others from cutting themselves? Today, we’ll practice the traditions of our ancestors with a class that provides you with generous information, hands-on experiential learning, and heart-felt inspiration.

All our events take place outdoors to help prevent the transmission of coronavirus and other communicable diseases. Bathroom facilities will be primitive, but we will have washing and sanitizing stations available for regular cleansing of hands, especially if using tools that may have been picked up by others earlier in the day. We also ask that you avoid touching your face or shaking hands with people outside your personal circle, and not attend events if you have a fever, cough or even a runny nose. Instructors will employ social distancing when helping students, and set-up for class will follows health department protocols with work stations separated by over a meter. Although the novel coronavirus generally has less effect on younger people, that means the elderly and those with pulmonary or other issues should take additional precautions. Although open air settings reduce infection risks, once a virus has infected someone, cooler air can make infections worse, so our outdoor workshop settings are not appropriate for those who are sick with cold or flu symptoms. Check out our new blog articles related to the current situation and how it relates to our field of wilderness survival and emergency preparedness.

Enrolled youth must be accompanied by enrolled adult. No charge for children under 5 with the understanding that enrolled adult may need to step aside briefly if “information download” times are too long for toddlers.