“We are all just spinning through space on this rock on one big camping trip...”
It’s not about going into the past.
It’s about bringing the value of the past…
into the present.
Old Ways Training works to bring the pertinent wisdoms and ingenuities of the Old World into the modern day in such a way as to enhance our daily lives while connecting us to a world that bears remembering.
Who wants to learn how to start a fire if we have lighters and no modern need to have a fire?
Learning about fire craft is more than striking a fire.
Why learn to make wilderness shelters when we have modern houses and indoor plumbing?
Building a wilderness shelter is more than survival.
What is so special about knowing how to identify wild edible plants and how to prepare them if we can go down the street and buy a burger and some fries?
Knowing about and making meals from nature gives you more than nutrients.
Where is the need to learn how to make a reed basket when we can buy a plastic one from the local general store?
Creating a reed basket is more than learning to weave.
When will it be important to know how to purify water when we can turn on our faucet and pour it ourselves?
Understanding (and being able to recreate) the science behind creating clean drinking water is more than just getting something to drink.
The landscape of the modern wilderness instructor has changed.
It’s not about living like the natives of the land, nor is it about the hardened “survivalist” hacking through the jungle. It’s about getting the absolute best dirt time you have ever had with instructors that know how to help you see the beauty of nature as you learn efficient and enjoyable lessons that last a lifetime.
Most people I have encountered would rather hear about the emotional and spiritual benefits of spending dedicated time getting to know our planet in a personal and profound way then to learn how to “rough it“. (No one wants to learn to rough it.)
Wilderness instructors often believe that when talking about an “end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it” situation that they are being pragmatic. I would like to suggest that we don’t have all the answers if that is our only approach.
Yes, knowing how to filter and purify water IS an apocalypse based survival skill. I would like to point out that the likelihood of such an event happening in our lifetime is very low. We have already survived a modern-day pandemic and most of society barely gave a hiccup.
Instead, if we focused on the everyday life benefits of these skills and used THAT as our modus operandi, then we get the best of both worlds.
If we learned water purification and filtration methods, then we would be well equipped with knowledge of the best products to buy.
If we learned the fire triangle, then we know how fire starts AND how best to put out a fire. For example, do not add water to a grease fire… that will make the fire spread as it will be carried on top of the water. (grease and oil float).
If we learned how to make primitive homes (as well as survival shelters), then we understand the benefits of proper insulation and what layering does when you put on your own clothing.
If we learned about the weather, we would be able to predict, with a narrow margin for error, the likelihood of imminent storm formation by taking a moment to stop and study the clouds.
If we learned how to make baskets, then this communal act helps to bring us all closer together, friends and family alike.
If we learned how to carve a wooden spoon, then we have something we can use as an “end of day“ decompression and calming routine that is invaluable to have in the modern day of fast paced helter-skelter living.
If we learned these things with the purpose of applying them in our daily lives, but remembering how useful they would be in a survival situation, then we have won the lottery of learning.
This is something I like to call, “Now & Later Learning”; we can learn how to apply our lessons to life today, and whenever else we might need them. That is the Great Learning.
If the world does end,
it would be like coming home.
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We show people the renewed sense of peace and meaning when they go into the wilderness, the impact these wild places truly have on our souls and bring that enhanced sense of calm and control when we go back into our daily lives.
It's a better life!
We build powerfully therapeutic woodland experiences through day classes, weekend seminars, and other wild excursion events.
The members and staff at Old Ways Training believe that time in Nature is a therapeutic experience, and the more time we spend in wilderness environments, the more peaceful our life becomes.
We encourage our students to explore their new skills and grow close to nature in a deep and personal way.
Time in Nature is thought of as coming home.
