Lifesong Wilderness Adventures
First Circle Camp Notes.
This is an excerpt from a letter Joe & Jenny sent me: a couple who took my First Circle Camp program this summer.
“When people ask me whether it was worth the price, I say “definitely.” The way I see it, we could not have learned all of the answers to our questions by going on a one-week trip. What we did learn instead — and more importantly — is what questions needed to be asked. We feel that the trip gave us valuable insight and focus into the aspects of survival upon which we need to focus our attention and which are less critical.”
Another student was generous enough to write…
“A day spent with Mark is comparative to a childhood memory of summer with your best friend. When the long days were filled with wonder and magic. Never ending discoveries of the natural world were always present and life had a beautiful quality that could almost be tasted. An authentic person, Mark is dedicated to connecting people with nature. An intimate connection, that many may not even know they have forgotten.”
Bethany S.
As a student you will find that my classes are structured to a certain degree. Structure is important for learning an teaching as well. Another very important part of learning is applying the hand-eye-movement coordination:
harmonizing execution of movement through physical application of the teaching.
Everyone learns differently and as a guide and instructor I have to consider all of this to balance the teaching as a whole.
My goal in this class is to give you as much information as possible in the short time we have together, but also introduce you to the wonder and magic that is nature. This is accomplished by “hands on experience.” In this class you will be using muscles that no doubt haven’t been used for some time. This is nothing to be concerned about, its just part of experiencing a lifestyle where we use our body a lot. This is a class that is structured for the beginner but challenges the active outdoor athlete as well.
For me, the joy of teaching wilderness skills is observing the positive empowering changes in students.
learning woodcraft is a very creative medium. The ‘art of seeing’ is a perfect example of the application of imagination and creativity: expanding and utilizing all of ones senses to gain awareness of the amazing world around us.
