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Raccoon Creek State Park offers a unique combination of educational programs all focused on getting participants outdoors and enjoying the world around them. Many of these workshops are part of the park's “PATH WAYS” programming. PATH WAYS is an acronym for Primitive skill, Awareness of nature, Teaching of History – which we believe leads to – Wisdom and Action, Yielding Stewardship. |
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Through these principles of primitive skills, ancestral history, nature awareness and sustainable living practices, we hope to make people aware of our connection and dependence on the natural world. In so doing, we desire to instill an ethic of stewardship and respect for our environment in all who participate in our programs. |
Click here to: Schedule a Workshop, Make Payments, Obtain More Information
| March 1 |
Deep Survival Monday 7:00pm - 9:00pm March 1, Survival Psychology March 8, Survival First Aid March 15, Survival Traps and Snares March 22, Survival Planning and Kits Prerequisite: Graduate of Park's Primitive Skills Workshops. |
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| March 6 |
Maple Sugaring Saturday 10:00am - 6:00pm Ever wonder what real maple syrup taste like or how it’s made? Find out during this workshop covering the collection of maple sap, boiling process, grades of syrup and the processing of whole grains into flour. The workshop focuses on small-scale evaporation. A variety of easy to make low cost evaporation methods will be covered. The day will conclude with a pancake dinner sampling a variety of various grain pancakes, muffins and toppings. Also covered will be tree identification, wild teas, home grain milling and the health and nutritional benefits of using whole foods. Cost: $20.00 |
| March 8 |
Deep Survival Monday 7:00pm - 9:00pm March 1, Survival Psychology March 8, Survival First Aid March 15, Survival Traps and Snares March 22, Survival Planning and Kits Prerequisite: Graduate of Park's Primitive Skills Workshops. |
| March 15 |
Deep Survival Monday 7:00pm - 9:00pm March 1, Survival Psychology March 8, Survival First Aid March 15, Survival Traps and Snares March 22, Survival Planning and Kits Prerequisite: Graduate of Park's Primitive Skills Workshops. |
| March 22 |
Deep Survival Monday 7:00pm - 9:00pm March 1, Survival Psychology March 8, Survival First Aid March 15, Survival Traps and Snares March 22, Survival Planning and Kits Prerequisite: Graduate of Park's Primitive Skills Workshops. |
| March 26 - 28 |
Joel Hardin Tracking Course Friday - Sunday This course is taught by former US Border Patrol Tracker Joel Hardin. The course is primarily for those interested in human tracking. Raccoon Creek State Park is the host site and registration is through Randall Burelson of Appalachian Trackers at: burlesonr@verizon.net For further information check out Joel Hardin's website at: www.jhardin-inc.com Pre-registration by March 6 with Randall Burelson required. Cost: $360 (course, meals and lodging) |
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| June 12 |
Herbal Medicines Saturday 10:00am - 6:00pm Herbal remedies were once the only option for ailments. Even today many of our modern medicines are derived from plants. This course will cover plant history, past uses of medicinal plants and the latest research on medicinal qualities. Herbal remedies for ailments, preventative health and methods of preparation will be discussed. Participants will be able to make a variety tinctures, poultices, ointments/salves and teas. Safety concerns and a scientific approach to herbal medicines will be stressed. Cost: $30.00 |
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| June 26 - 27 |
Primitive Skills Saturday 10:00am - Sunday 2:00pm This weekend workshop focuses on primitive living and how our ancestors once survived by perfecting the skills needed to live off the land. The weekend will be spent re-creating and practicing survival skills such as making shelters, matchless fires, cordage, edible and medicinal plants, awareness skills, tracking and learning to see more in nature. This is an overnight, hands on workshop geared towards adults. Participants need to bring basic camping gear, food and water. No Charge. |
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| July 24 |
Light Weight Backpacking Wildflower Reserve Interpretive Center on Route 30 Sunday 2:00pm - 4:00pm If you love to backpack and would like to lighten your load, this class will show ways to cut the weight without going totally primitive. We’ll cover equipment choices, finding water, land navigation, traveling at night, edible plants and other skills to make your outdoor experience enjoyable and safe. Principles of “Leave No Trace” backpacking and camping will be our guide for outdoor ethics. The weekend of August 2 and 3 we’ll strap on our modified lightweight packs, hike the beautiful park trails and do an overnight campout. You must attend the July 20 preparation class to attend. No pre-registration needed. No Charge. |
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| July 31 |
Orienteering Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm Learn to read topographical maps, how to orient a compass, take and follow a bearing and successfully complete an orienteering course. We will start out at a beginning level, then advance to land navigation over varied terrain. Cost: $5.00 |
Click here to: Schedule a Workshop, Make Payments, Obtain More Information | |
| All photos courtesy of Patrick Adams, unless otherwise indicated. | |