may we all go home happy
Many years ago, my friend Topher offered to do an oil change on my old Honda (aptly named Juanita the Rattler) for a modest fee. Topher, who worked construction, had a creaky back (this will be relevant to the story). Another friend, Maggie (a massage therapist), who has a spacious and beautiful mind that sees opportunity where others see challenge, suggested that she give Topher a massage, he change my oil, and I pay her. Everyone went home happy.
This is sort of how I see sponsorship on this blog. I love to write. Maybe you love some of the products my sponsors offer; you purchase products, my sponsors support the functioning of this blog, and I get to keep doing what I love. It’s a bit roundabout but I think everyone will go home happy.
That said, my goodness am I excited about my newest sponsor, Frosty Pines. Frosty Pines is a non-profit, local, wilderness education program. My favorite part of their mission statement is this: We have found that when you take a child outdoors to explore to their hearts content their imagination blossoms and they find a sense of self that shines into other areas of their lives. Amen.
Col and his cronies participated in a Frosty Pines class on the Animas River last spring and Col came home wild-eyed, muddy, deeply happy, and clutching a jar with 2 mayfly nymphs (that he lunged stunningly onto the concrete to catch when the jar slipped out of his hand).
Frosty Pines offers amazing wilderness classes throughout the year (during the week for homeschoolers and on the weekends). This summer they are launching their Frontier Days Pioneer Camp. This is a 5-week camp for kids aged 7 – 16, July 9th – August 10th, and you can sign up for 1 week or all 5.
Does this map stir up all your childhood longings? I am curious about “hell hill.”
This day camp is a multi-faceted approach to frontier living involving hands on primitive skills, historical and cultural education, environmental respect, safety and awareness as well as participation in interactive games, craft making, skill building, story-telling and music, complete with a barn dance and True West Rail Fest participation.
Some of the hands-on skills kids will learn: primitive fire-building, pottery and jewelry making, fiber arts, pioneer cooking, horse-packing, trap-building, primitive bow-making and archery, sewing, bartering for goods, leather crafts. Oh my!
It makes me so happy that Tom and Marcie of Frosty Pines are creating this opportunity for children of all ages. All the info here.
And for readers of 6512 and growing, they are offering 20% off on the whole 5-week session, or 20% on individual week-long sessions. Also, if you bring a friend (who will get 20% off), you will get an extra 10% off.
May we all go home happy.
With love,
Rachel
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I want to go. :o)
omygod, I *know.* Me too!
is there a camp for old homeschoolers? like 27 years old? maybe we could be camp counselors? this sound so marvelous!
We are looking for volunteers :) Check our volunteer page for info: http://www.frostypines.com/volunteer/
Have a wonderful day!
I would love to go too! We’re instead starting an outdoor freeschool :) Beautifully said, Rachel. I love trading with friends. It’s a wonderful symbiosis. And thanks so much for the seeds. If you need any, let me know. I’d love to return the generosity.
Outdoor freeschool? Tell me more!
For some reason, my reply didn’t post. Oh well. The outdoor freeschool is similar to our homeschool co-op , except there are no fees. We have 3 acres of woods, streams and ponds to explore (with surrounding 100 acres) plus our permaculture gardens and farm animals. Everyone will help lead class and will share in any supply costs. So we are all excited!
Ack! Too bad we live in Tennessee! Oh yeah, we live in Tennessee! I guess we can do this too :)
Another reason for me to live closer to you…Sigh.
Fabulous!