the pioneer project

Overview

Spring is a time of renewal, excitement, and growth for cultures across the world.  The Pioneer Project's 8-week program in Spring mimics this natural rhythm and gets students immersed in the important work of nurturing new growth in their inner and outer worlds.  Students will be busy tending to baby seedlings in the garden and baby chicks in the coop.  Our meals will be filled with asparagus, strawberries, and fresh lettuce from the garden - perfect food for renewing our selves by getting our hands in the dirt to give our garden a kickstart to shake off the winter hibernation.  We will also enjoy the wonderful weather by exploring various crafts in the great outdoors, where we'll get the chance to make traditional folk pottery, S-hooks at the blacksmith forge, and even some felted slippers for the chilly Spring mornings.  Spring is the ideal time to look for wildflowers and delicious ramps (a leek-like traditional food of the area) on high mountain balds on our backpacking expedition, then dusting off our canoes for an exhilirating multi-day paddle.  Students will also take the time to reflect on their purpose and "plant seeds" of intention for the coming years with a group of peers and the guidance of caring mentors.

 

Sustainable Living & Farms

Spring is a time for planting and planning the garden that will become an impressive bounty for the summer.  Students will get to plant, transplant, and harvest a variety of crops.  This time of year is when our asparagus, lettuce, kale, spinach, turnips and strawberries are abundant as well, so students will get to prepare and enjoy the early harvests of these foods.  Because garden work won’t be as intensive as Summer and Fall, students will get more opportunity to work on building projects around the homestead and community and will leave with some valuable skills. 

 

We will be visiting various local farms in our region to explore the local food movement and offer a helping hand.  Through doing this, we will get to learn from the wisdom of our local farmers, some of whom have been farming in the area for over 20 years.  This component of the program is always a highlight for students!

 

Traditional Craft

Students will get to try their hands at a variety of crafts during this season.  At least twice a week, students will get a chance to try their hand at a traditional craft taught by a local artisan.  This aspect of the program could find students hammering iron in the blacksmith shop, planing wood for a handmade piece of furniture, learning to make pots on a potter's wheel, or knitting their own hat from locally sourced alpaca fleece.  They may find themselves becoming immersed in creative projects that unearth newfound passions and talents that just may provide a life-long hobby or vocation. 

 

Outdoor Leadership

Spring is a wonderful time of year to enjoy the wilderness in our area.  The rivers are bursting with whitewater, the backpacking areas are free of crowds, and the woods are beginning to wake up from their winter slumber.  This can result in some of the most spectacular wildflowers greeting us on our adventures in the forest.  Students will embark on 4 expeditions from 4-5 days in length during this session.  They will develop skills in campcraft, backpacking, canoeing, orienteering, survival skills, rock climbing, and mountain biking.