Art of Mentoring
"I now have a much deeper knowledge of how to teach not only the natural world
to children, but everything else as well."
-Shannon Kachel, Art of Mentoring participant
Art of Mentoring
June 29-July 5, 2008; Lead instructor Chris Laliberte
August 17-23, 2008; Lead Instructor Sol Marie Doran
6:00 p.m. Sun. - 12:00 p.m. Sat.; Duvall, WA
$725; food, camping and airport shuttle included (see shuttle times)
Wilderness Awareness School has been providing transformational learning experiences in nature for youth and adults for over twenty years.
In this new, more experiential version of our popular Art of Mentoring workshop, you will be taught to lead many of our favorite activities, games, and stories for cultivating deep connections with nature in the same, hands-on way we train our staff.
You will also be given time to devise ways to integrate these activities and techniques into your educational or parenting settings.
This workshops focuses on:
Educating
- Learn models for creating effective educational experiences based on the cycles of nature
- Practice games, activities, and songs which draw people young and old into Nature
- Explore the role of story telling in the educational structures of nature based cultures and draw out your own stories for mentoring youth and inspiring and teaching others!
Transforming
- Profiling the path of development and transformation of people as they travel toward greater awarenes and appreciation of the natural world.
- Discuss the pitfalls and walls that mentors face in working towards a greater connection between individuals, community, and Nature.
- Creating safe environments for students to grow, experiment, and make mistakes
Connecting with Community and Nature
- Immerse yourself in core routines for increasing your awareness and the awareness of your students. This is vital when mentoring youth.
- Enjoy a learning community of people dedicated to learning about, teaching about, and honoring the earth.
NOTE: The week’s experiences will be shaped around our new written curriculum, Coyote's Guide to Connecting Kids with Nature. Participants will be given a free advanced draft copy of this curriculum, and will be able to use it as an accompanying resource for the week and beyond!
Lead Instructor Biographies
Chris Laliberte: Chris shares his knowledge and expertise with nature-based mentoring and wilderness survival crafts. He has worked in the field of outdoor education since 1992, designing and leading courses that incorporate wilderness adventure and natural history. In 1996 he founded Wilderness Awareness School's Community School for teens. He has a Master's Degree in Environmental Education from the Audubon Expedition Institute and is currently working towards his Ph.D. in Mythological Studies.
Sol Marie Doran: Sol shares her passion and experience with youth mentoring and native plants. She is a Lead Instructor at Youth School and Roots and Wings at Wilderness Awareness School. Sol came to the School from southern California, where she worked with Wilderness Youth Project, ran an early childhood outdoor course, and earned a B.S. in Ecology. She currently studies herbalist skills at Ravencroft Garden.
Airport shuttle times for both weeks of Art of Mentoring are the same: Pick-up: Plan your flights to arrive at Sea-Tac Airport no later than 3 p.m. Sunday. Drop-off: You will be returned to the airport by 2:00 p.m. Saturday.