09/25/2014
Hello to one and all,
Firstly, a heartfelt thank you to the likes received since yesterdays page launch, and for the words of support and encouragement. I am grateful, and fortunate, to be surrounded by such giants of person, good folks, and true friends in the circles I frequent. Much is still in the works, VERY much, and I appreciate the support right from the inception. Some have known of my ramblings and dreams of this, for some time now. Some of you, this may be new to. This is new to me, the technology aspect of a virtual campfire and atmosphere, but is no less a tool in my opinion. A resource. A place to share and a place to learn. A place to fellowship, openly, freely, easily. That, is very new to me, in this context, the page and it's mission. Woodcraft, Bushcraft, survivalism, woodsmanship, true wild camping, as well as hunting, fishing, and trapping are not new to me. I have spent a lifetime in the outdoors, studying every aspect my waking mind could study in the time given each and every single day I've drawn breath on this earth. So in the days ahead i'll be pondering the minute details a bit more, of wheres and whens and hows this endeavor will go. I have rough ideas, further personified by lifelong dreams, as to what I want to do, and in turn, offer to anyone who'd be a willing friend to share in the learning and teaching. Many things are in the works, some further along, some in initial stages. In making preparations to run a few short term real-time Woodcraft and Bushcraft courses, teaching fundamentals and advanced techniques in all areas, sort of workshops, short in tenure. The long term is still being decided with a possible collaboration between Sparrow Woodcraft and Clansman Bushcraft (The endeavor of my good friend Stuart Wedge [check his page and give him a like or two, good stuff there]) to offer a school here in West Virginia. Set in the Appalachian mountains, the school will be a different breed with a common mission, only slightly tweaked in it's offerings. We intend to cater to those who'd like to learn to become entirely self-sufficient, to live off-grid, and to be at one with the natural surroundings an off-grid lifestyle brings. We intend to teach any and all aspects of living entirely by ones own self reliance. Im talking true self sufficiency, true self preservation, and true self sustainability. Idealy, upon completetion, a graduate would be mentally equipped to go to his/her desired location or region, and again, idealy, be able to walk in with few tools and gear and not only survive, but thrive...indefinately. At least,graduates would be able to keenly supplement a slightly more established and structured off-grid lifestyle. The school, when/if it comes to fruition, will be a year long tenure, with students living in a camp they built with our guidance. We, in turn , will live with them, teaching all the while, how to be what nature will require them to be. As I said, a lot is in the works, that's one of the bigger and more long term goals.Until then, info and videos, sharing of knowledge and questions, reviews when and where possible of relevant products, and pictures, links, and fellowship therein are the order of the day. I intend to send invites to all my friends, in relevant circles, over the next several days. Feel free to share, appreciated if you do, my page. In closing, I want to say that in the age where pages such as this, and missions of pages such as this, are common, I don't intend to compete or offer anything new to what can be found anywhere on the net. I intend to magnify focus on some old ways, long forgotten or rarely practiced, to reconnect with something lost by modern living. I intend to take a step back to simpler things, genuine things, and get away from transparent gimmicks or falsehoods in ideologies. I want to teach everything from fundamental to the pinnacle of woodcraft skill sets, and woodsmanship. To bring closer the habitats that own us anyway. To draw a harmony in man when he's in nature, through my teachings and willingness to share what a lifetime has taught me. That's just a quick glimpse into my minds eye, written quickly as to stay genuine, of what drives this page. A willingness to share and give. My friends, I bid you farewell for now, stay tuned and thanks again for the likes and support. I'll do my best to see that support is well justified. Out.
