Ancestral Knowledge

Ancestral Knowledge’s Wilderness Skills Apprenticeship programs are in-depth experiential studies of ancient skills and life ways.  These programs are designed for those who want become proficient in the primitive skills required to sustain life in the old-ways.  Your time during this program will be spent living these skills along with researching them, not just learning them but making them a part of your being.  By the end of the program you will have the hands-on skills and knowledge to take what you have learned and adapt them to any environment.

We have three apprenticeship paths you can follow, they include;   The Spirit of the Hunt,  Flint Knapping & Stone Tools, and Wilderness Survival.  During the apprenticeship programs you will discover your natural talents and connect with your lineage, filling that empty space inside you that you could never quite fill.

The Spirit of the Hunt Apprenticeship:

The most incredible experiences in nature is to fade into the forest and walk undetected among the animals studying their habits, learning their language, and becoming one with their environment.  The Spirit of the Hunt is our most intense apprenticeships, taking you on a journey through all aspects the hunt including; preparation for the hunt, creating all the gear, and how to process what you have been gifted from the Earth. During this six month program we will spend much time learning the ebb and flow of the forest.  Here is a list of what you can expect to learn during this program:

Dates: This program will run over the course of 10 months Jan 2011-Oct 2011 please look at our calendar for scheduled dates and activities. We will be meeting 25 times.  You will need a Maryland Hunting License.

Time: 4pm-8pm

Registration Fee: $1750 (bring a friend and receive a 10% discount)

Wilderness Survival Apprenticeship:

Our Wilderness Survival Apprenticeship will teach you how to provide yourself with all that you need if you find yourself lost, stranded, or just wanting to walk of into the wilderness.  The sacred four elements of survival will be taught; Shelter, Fire, Water, and Food.  Starting with a basic survival shelter you will learn the process and methodology of moving into a full long-term survival situation.  In the end you will be prepared to take care of yourself  in any situation you might find yourself in. Our goal is to have you tap into the survival mind that has been tucked away with your instincts and intuition since you were a child. You can expect to learn the following during this program:

We will end the program with a three day survival trip to the mountains of West Virginia on a 1400 acre private wilderness sanctuary.

Dates: T.B.A.

Registration Fee: (bring a friend and receive a 10% discount)

Flint Knapping and Stone Tool Apprenticeship

The Stone Tool Apprenticeship will help you rediscover the ancient superiority of stone tools. You will experience and work through the evolution of the earliest discoveries of basic stone tools culminating with the creation of  projectile points.  This apprenticeship will guide you through the seven stages of reduction proven to be the most effective way to produce the sharpest edge.  You will learn proper use of antler, stone, and bone tools, proper percussion methods to create the best cross section to ensure strength and ability to have the sharpest edge possible, and pressure flaking techniques with antler, wood, and copper.  While learning the art of flint knapping the stone will be your teacher and we will be your guide.  You may find the lessons learned are beyond mere flake removal.  Count on learning the following topics during this program;

• Proper Flint Knapping techniques
• 7 stages of reduction
• Greenstone axe and adze making
• Drills
• Hafting and adhesives

Dates: T.B.A.

Registration Fee: (bring a friend and receive a 10% discount)

Additional Apprenticeship  Information

Eligibility: Anyone 18 years old or older. Any skill level is welcome (anyone under 18 must be interviewed and accepted into this program)
Enrollment: limited to 7 participants to ensure quality instruction.
Study/research/dirt time: It is expected that each participant do additional research and practice what they have been learning. Assignments will be given periodically to further the learning experience.  A certificate of Completion will be awarded to those who complete the program.
Lodging: Each student is responsible for finding and providing their own lodging (In the near future we will have on-site caretaker opportunities)
Instructors: Bill Kaczor Read what Tom Brown Jr. had to say about Bill

Skills Apprenticeship registration form

Registration deadline is one week prior to the start of this program.