Walking through the pine forest the other day I bumped into one of the Boogers who lives there under a decaying log pile. This old Booger was still gloating, with a gruesome slime encrusted gap toothed grin, of their recent victory against the man children. I to was marveled by this inaugural victory by these loathsome beasts…and began to ponder… did we teach the skills necessary for our campers to meet this challenge?
In my classes I may have been teaching quickie bows, or cold break knives, but I was also teaching about observation…I wanted you to listen but also wanted you to watch. (You do remember what I’d do if you weren’t watching?) I wanted you to become aware of your surroundings, to notice where a good bow tree lived, or where the white quartz for a stone hand ax was, where the deer crossed, how a fletch of an arrow lies, or the sunlight piercing shadows… perhaps where the yellow root grows, who might be feeling bad and why. If you can become observant then you can become a self-guided student…a life long learner.
You may have noticed that in many of the classes there was no right or wrong answers to problems…just bad, good and better… it was all about making the best choices. When you were making a knife or a forged hook and instead of copying your instructors you were often asked to come up with your own design. You may have based your decision on the intended use, aesthetics, or maybe it was your past experiences that shaped and molded your intent. You had to develop a vision. Having a vision enables us to take steps, to establish goals, and this fosters our ability to become leaders...
That stinky old booger told me something I will soon not forget;
“Ef dhey onlee ad eeh leadoor dhey wood ave shurely whun”
I believe that perhaps he was right. I see the potential in all of you. But where were the leaders? We can design events like “Boogers in the woods” or the “Woods Walk“, where you have the opportunity to lead, but only you can choose to be a leader.
I’ve been thinking a great deal about our camp experience this summer, the fun, the rain, the way you kept your cabin clean, (I hope this habit is carrying on at home.) the high morale, the respect you treated your knives with, the honor of your presence. I’ve been thinking about the people who made it possible for you to attend … and I have been thinking about the “Give Away”… the taking of an honor and sharing it with those around you. I trust that you are finding a way of honoring those people who made it possible for you/us to have 2 weeks of something magical this summer. If you can demonstrate this lesson then you will be honoring them as well as the teachings we shared with you…
Many blessings,
Preston
Still Learnin’
p.s. would love to have some our you input/insights into next years Woods Walk…send me your ideas!