Dear Friends,
Please pass this announcement on to other folks who might be interested in learning about this inspiring opportunity.
Peace,
Joan Ewing and Wilton Duckworth
ADULT PERMACULTURE DESIGN CERTIFICATION COURSE alongside a NATURALIST IMMERSION PROGRAM for CHILDREN
Sponsored by Green Phoenix Permaculture
PERMACULTURE is a set of tools and a process for designing a way to live sustainably within our ecosystems and our communities. It is based on observing nature and making connections across disciplines and over history, with the goal of meeting human needs, while leaving the earth healthier and more abundant for future generations.
A unique opportunity for families. While adults participate in a permaculture design course, children explore the natural world around them. An autumn to spring program which allows an opportunity to experience both programs through 3 seasons. Children ages 7 through 12 will be accepted. Permaculture Design students are welcome with or without children. This is a standard, 72 hour permaculture certificate course.
WHERE: Epworth Camp and Retreat Center, High Falls, NY, 2 hours north of New York City, 15 minutes from the Trailways Bus station in Rosendale.
WHEN: Six Weekends in 2009-2010. Resident students can arrive Friday evening. PDC classes and children's programs take place on Saturday and Sunday [Sunday for children of resident pdc students]
2009: October 10-11, November 7-8, December 12-13
2010: January 23-24, March 13-14, April 10-11
TEACHERS:
PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE: Coordinating teacher Kay McGrenaghan Cafasso, with Andrew Jones, Eric Toensmeier, Ethan Roland and other local guest teachers.
NATURALIST IMMERSION FOR CHILDREN: Coordinating teacher, Krista Oarcea and a team of teachers, assistants and mentors.
TEACHER BIOS:
Kay Cafasso is a certified permaculture designer, a permaculture design course instructor and natural builder specializing in earthen finishes and plasters for straw bale homes. She conducts many educational events and courses, and offers permaculture design services and consultation for home landscapes across the Northeast. She is inspired by the ability to recognize beneficial patterns of nature in order to regenerate life systems in all climates. Kay believes in thoughtful and holistic design of landscapes, agriculture, dwellings and communities.
Krista Oarcea graduated from the Waldorf Institute at Sunbridge College in 1993. Krista founded and has taught for ten years the Morning Garden Home Nursery Kindergarten, where she guides children to discover the wonders of the earth and to attune to the natural cycles of the year. She has led nature awareness programs for children at Vermont's Art of Mentoring and Red Fox Friends. She is an herbalist, wild-crafter, avid seedsaver and plant breeder, who mentors on cultivating land stewardship with children.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE:
Students will study permaculture principals, woven through a range of topic areas, using a variety of learning methods: lectures and interactive discussions, slides and films, design exercises and hands on activities. Each student will present a research project and a final design presentation.
Topics Include: Climate systems, Sustainable Agriculture, Annual and Forest Gardening, Natural Building, Renewable Energy, Reading the landscape, Trees and Ecological Regeneration, Water and Alternative Waste Systems, Bioremediation, Alternative Economies, Building Strong Communities and More...
Daily Schedule will be generally 9am-5:30, with some Saturday evening programs.
NATURALIST IMMERSION FOR CHILDREN: [For children ages 7 through 12]
This unique program will provide a setting in which each child can rekindle his or her innate connection to nature in an inspiring, safe, fun way. Through nature-based games, arts activities and mentoring, children will: Learn permaculture design principals and stewardship ethics, develop an intimate, personal connection with nature, explore tracking, species and the ecology of landscape and habitat, participate in sensory awareness activities, practice journaling, drawing and painting, have lots and lots of fun! Daily schedule will be generally 9am-5:30.
COST: Tuition, Lodging, Food
PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE: Sliding scale $800-$1500, with the possibility of paying $700 if you bring another person. This cost covers tuition, lodging and use of the facilities. Sliding scale is on an honor system. Please give generously if you are able. This will help us meet our expenses and possibly offer scholarships and work trade to students who cannot afford the sliding scale. [Amounts between $1200-$1500 and over are considered a tax deductible donation.]
Food: Food is potluck, except for breakfasts, which are provided, and a welcome supper for travelers on Friday evening. Students will be requested to provide prepared food to cover specific meals and snacks for the group for Saturday and Sunday. We have a history of eating fabulous food.
NATURALIST IMMERSION FOR CHILDREN: Sliding scale $240-450 for Saturdays [Open to the community] for all 6 weeks. [This comes to $40-75/day]. Sundays [a small program especially for children of traveling permaculture students] are also $240-450 [$40-75/day] for all 6 weeks. $480-900/weekend for all 6 weeks.
As above, sliding scale is an honor system. Please give as generously as you are able to help us meet expenses and provide possible scholarships. Amounts over $450 are considered a tax deductible donation.
Food: Parents will be asked to provide lunches for their children. [We will contact parents who are also traveling permaculture students as part of the design course potluck.]
REGISTRATION:
1. In order to temporarily reserve a place in either program, please contact Joan Ewing at 845-687-7646 or
mamajoane@yahoo.com and let me know that you want to register yourself for the pdc or your child for the children's program.
2. In order to secure your or your child's place, please send a $100 deposit check, payable to Green Phoenix Permaculture with the appropriate attached registration form to Green Phoenix Permaculture, 8 Epworth Lane, High Falls, NY 12440
3. Deadline: Please send in the full amount [payable to Green Phoenix Permaculture] that you have agreed upon for either program in time to be received by us by September 27. After that date, the $100 deposit will be non refundable.
CONTACTS: Joan Ewing and Wilton Duckworth 845-687-7646 or
mamajoane@yahoo.com. Feel free to contact us with questions. We can also refer you to other staff and teachers for specific questions.
