Intro to Backpacking

Instructor: Marcie Lambrix

Introduction to Backpacking will educate women on the gear necessary to have a successful trip. We will also cover the Leave No Trace principles, how to pack and unpack a bag, set up and tear down tents, and discuss food. We will take a hike and discuss where would be a good spot to set up a tent and why, along with discussing most regulations for dispersed camping.

Intro to Basketweaving

Instructor: Johanna Laggis

This class introduces you to the techniques and materials needed to weave baskets, and you'll go home with proof that you can do it!  Basket weaving is fun, practical, relaxing and a great way to exercise your creative side.  Caution: A basketweaving is addicting and you may never clean your house or cook another meal again!

10 participants

Pistol - Basic Marksmanship & Safety

Instructor: Larry Hamel

This class is for beginner to intermediate shooters.  Even if you have never touched a gun or have fear of guns.  This class will be taught in a nonjudgmental and relaxed atmosphere. 

All materials will be provided. Targets, ammunition, guns, eye and ear protection, but feel free to use your own.

If you bring your own gun, make sure it is unloaded and inspected by me prior to class and bring your own ammunition. 

Dress for the weather.

Stop the Bleed: Essential Skills for Outdoor Safety & Intro to Wilderness Emerg. Care

Instructor: Tara Grenier

Join us for an empowering and hands-on "Stop the Bleed" course designed specifically for women who love outdoor activities. This course will equip you with the essential skills to manage life-threatening bleeding emergencies that can occur during outdoor adventures. Whether you're hiking, camping, or participating in any outdoor activity, knowing how to control bleeding can make a critical combined with "Introduction to Wilderness Emergency Care" session. designed to complement our "Stop the Bleed" class. This session will provide you with skills to do a basic assessment of injuries and prepare for transport in a wilderness setting. Whether you're hiking, camping, or participating in other outdoor activities, knowing how to handle emergencies can make a critical difference.

Highlights: 

• Recognizing Life-Threatening Bleeding

• Applying Pressure

• Wound Packing

• Using a Tourniquet

• Interactive Training

• Real-Life Scenarios

• Stabilizing Injuries

Fire Starting Techniques

Instructor: Cindy Perry

Beginner introduction into fire starting techniques.

We will learn the best way to set up a fire to light, and try various tools to start a fire including magnesium rods and strikers and flint and steel, and how to make and use char cloth.

Bring a hair tie for long hair, and no loose fitting sleeves. 

Dress for the weather.

Nature Based Therapeutic Yoga & Meditation

Instructor: Amy Greene

We will blend the peacefulness of nature with the rejuvenating practices of yoga and meditation. In this class, you'll unwind and reconnect with yourself amidst the soothing backdrop of natural surroundings.

Get ready to stretch, breathe, and let go of stress as we guide you through gentle yoga poses designed to enhance flexibility and strength, all while encouraging relaxation. Our sessions also include mindfulness meditation techniques that help calm the mind and promote inner peace. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, our welcoming environment ensures everyone can benefit. Join us as we harness the healing power of nature to nurture your body, mind, and spirit. 

Dress for the weather and comfort.

Intro Compass Skills

Instructor:  Deb Weisenstein & Bonna Wieler

Bring your interest and whatever experience you have or have not. We will start with the basics: reading a compass, estimating distance, and following a course.  

Advanced Compass Skills

Instructor:  Deb Weisenstein & Bonna Wieler

We will review basics: reading a compass, estimating distance, and following a course.  Advanced users we will cover declination adjustments, map reading, triangulation, and orienteering skills.

Tree Id & more...

Instructor: Barbara Schultz & Johanna Laggis

Learn to identify Vermont's north woods trees. You'll learn to confidently identify the common species and how they fit into the forest ecosystem. As we walk along, we'll discover other plants and fungi, and leaves about to change into their autumn splendor. It's an easy walk, but dress for the woods and the weather.

Max of 15 participants

Log Rolling

Instructor: Danielle Rougeau

Log rolling, sometimes called birling, is a non-contact sport between two competitors. Each roller stands on one end of a free-floating log in the water and then attempts to make their opponent fall off while they stay on top. Our class will focus on the skills that make a successful log roller as we improve balance, endurance, and core strength. Log rolling is great for all ages and abilities. We'll encourage each other, fall off get back on, and have a ton of fun building confidence.

15 participants

Chainsaw Skills

Instructor: John Adler

This course will focus on safe handling of a chainsaw. Both gas and electric saws will be used. We will cover Personal Protective Equipment PPE and the safe handling of a saw for bucking wood into pieces. Including a short tutorial on sharpening the chain. 

Note: we will not be teaching how to fell a standing tree.

Chaps and eye/ear protection will be provided. Feel free to bring your own PPE. Please dress for the weather, wear leather shoes or hikers, no sneakers. Bring gloves.

Rifle / Muzzleloader- Basic Marksmanship & Safety

Instructor: Larry Hamel

This class is for beginner to intermediate shooters.  Even if you have never touched a gun or have fear of guns.  This class will be taught in a nonjudgmental and relaxed atmosphere. 

All materials will be provided. Targets, ammunition, guns, eye and ear protection, but feel free to use your own.

If you bring your own gun, make sure it is unloaded and inspected by me prior to class and bring your own ammunition. 

Dress for the weather.

Sporting Clays Beginner - Shotgun Course

Instructor: Tom Blair and Brent Allaire

Focusing on the safe handling and operation of shotguns. Instruction for shooting clay targets. All materials will be provided: Targets, ammunition, guns, eye and ear protection.  Feel free to use your own.

If you bring your own gun, make sure it is unloaded and inspected by me prior to class and bring your own ammunition. 

Dress for the weather.

Sporting Clays Advanced - Shotgun Course

Instructor: Tom Blair and Brent Allaire

Focusing on the safe handling and operation of shotguns. Instruction for shooting clay targets. All materials will be provided: Targets, ammunition, guns, eye and ear protection.  Feel free to use your own.

If you bring your own gun, make sure it is unloaded and inspected by me prior to class and bring your own ammunition. 

Dress for the weather.

Whittling

Instructor: Cindy Perry

Learn about harvesting various tree species to whittle, what kinds of knives work best for the job, and how to whittle safely while creating a walking stick, cooking stick, and/or talking stick for talking circles. Great for beginners or with some experience.

Self-Defense

Instructor: Kathy Coulombe

We will start by talking about being aware of your surroundings and making good decisions about your safety. Then we will move into doing warm ups. Stretching and moves that will help in self defense situations. After we are warmed up we will pull out the focus targets and practice blocking striking and kicking. This will build confidence for when you need to fight back.

Dress for the weather in comfortable clothing.

Self-Defense w/ Walking Stick

Instructor: Kathy Coulombe

Bring your walking stick, if you have one. We will start by talking about being aware of your surroundings and making good decisions about your safety. Next, we'll warm up with our walking stick. Stretches and some balance. Then we move on to blocks and strikes. There will have a fun drill we can do with a partner.