Freedom Cabin15thSeptember
I'm excited about Cabin Homesteading, the home school program Molly and I are hosting beginning this September 21. Every Monday, for 9 weeks, a group of kids journey to the Trackers Homestead to help us milk goats, tend to chickens, make cheese and maybe even chop firewood (although in VERY safely coordinated circumstances).
This is not simply a devious way of having kids to do my chores (maybe). This place, this land is also gateway to a wilderness of freedom. The errands of the homestead may call but the epic forest of the nearby wildlife refuge beckons by an even greater herald of adventure.
We sit at the cusp of hundreds of acres of private wildlife refuge on the south end of the Bull Run Wilderness. The Trackers Homestead was once the home of Doctor Joe Miller, who's family occupied the land since the 1930's. Before that the pioneer town of Marmot, Oregon resided there, replete with a hotel and post office. There's even a stretch of wagon ruts from the Oregon Trail on our property. All the way up to the day he died (at 97 years) Doctor Miller was instrumental in preserving the Bull Run as an untouchable wild land and water source of Portland. Everyone in our city owes Joe a debt of clean water.
Though our wanderings are scaled to the wildlife refuge Joe donated to the Audubon Society of Portland, the mist and mystery shrouding the Bull Run Wilderness seems to saturate into their tiny sanctuary. In the greenwood of sword fern and cedar, grand herds of elk, mossy backed deer, giant bear and Ent trees pass through and children court them through sign, journey and story to reveal their secrets.
We need more places like this in the world and I won't rest until we help preserve even more. Starting here, with this one place on Earth, the next phase of Trackers is on a the journey to protect these places of epic sensibility. Holding them as a refuge where kids can truly wander the wild.
Note We're serious. We're hoping to purchase new land every two years, adding to the havens where kids can be free. We bought the Trackers Homestead at the advice of Audubon's Education Director, they needed neighbors that would also show care for their refuge. Help us out, suggest epic places you would like our efforts to preserve and care. Our next purchase goal is January 2011.
Featured Youth Program...
Cabin Homesteading School Begins September 21, 2009 There's still room. What better why to begin a Monday? Kids come and milk goats, tend to chickens and take home gifts of land to their family. They also explore the surrounding forest tracking animals and wild crafting. This is NOT an educational program, it is a state of being. On Cabin Homesteading days we move at the pace of simpler life and simpler days. Learn more...
Also on the Youth Calendar...
After School Programs Starting next week and now with pickup options for groups of students coming from one school.Home School Programs The ultimate in adventure and connection to the natural world. Its Trackers, need we say more.
Teen Kayak Building and Woodshop Ages 12-18 can build their own traditional kayak in 5 weeks.
