Past trips and Workshops
October-November,2019
Youth Nature Immersion
in collaboration with Blossoming Resistance
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Mohican Land
Finca Luna Buho, Cheshire, MA
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The youth nature immersion is a once-weekly wilderness class that gives opportunity for youth to find respite from their everyday challenges in school and at home. Through various nature skills they are given space to learn about perseverance, self-advocacy, teamwork and communication, as well as a greater appreciation for the natural world.
Day #2 Knots and Tarp Shelters
On day #2 we learned a few different types of knots and various ways to apply them. Then we took to the woods to use these knots and set up a tarp shelter. We learned about what makes a tarp shelter work well, and how we as a team can work together to make adjustments.
Day #3 Natural Shelters and Lashings
On day #3 we took to the woods once again to begin working on our natural shelter. Together, we chose a spot and began collecting wood to make the frame for our shelter. We applied a few of the knots we learned on day #2 and learned some lashings to keep it all together. We added a door and began creating the side walls for the next step: insulation.
Day #4 Fire Birthing
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On day #4 we learned a few ways to setup a fire, then we made a fireplace in the front yard of our natural shelter. Together, we tried different methods of setting up and starting a fire. Later the youth spent some time in the natural shelter to connect over lunch.
Day #5 Map and Compass and Scavenger Hunt
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On day #5 we learned about navigation. We learned the different parts of the compass it. We then took to the woods for a scavenger hunt where the youth had to use their new skills with the compass to shoot bearings and find clues. After all the teamwork, decoding clues, and shooting bearings we relaxed our minds with some fun on the slack line.
Nature Journaling and Embodiment Workshop
in collaboration with the Sam Devorah Foundation for Trans Youth
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Mohican Land
Camp Eisner, Great Barrington, MA
The nature journaling and embodiment workshop was brought forth as a part of the Sam Devorah Foundation for Trans Youth's Fall Trans Youth Retreat. This workshop provides space for youth to explore what it means to embody their more -than-human kin, and reconnect with their bodies. They are given space to sit down and write a journal entry about a special item in the woods that speaks to them, and then create a collaborative art piece with these special items.
POC and Allies Hike
in collaboration with Mass Audubon, Berkshire Chapter NAACP, and Berkshire Environmental Action Team
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Mohican Land
Mass Audubon's Pleasant Valley, Lenox, MA
The POC and Allies hike is a way to bring together the communities in Berkshire County around one commonality, nature. During this hike we discuss issues around the many barriers faced by oppressed communities when accessing the healing powers of nature. We discuss ways that allies can show up for oppressed communities and use their privilege to remove many of the barriers discussed, and uplift people of color and their journey to reconnecting to nature.
August-September,2019
History of POC in the Environmental Field Workshop
created by The Rusty Anvil for the Mass Audubon All Staff Outing
Wampanoag Land
Mass Audubon's Blue Hills Trail side Museum, Milton, MA
Environmental study usually highlights the accomplishments of early European settlers and the way they changed how we view the natural world, yet it tends to lack acknowledgment of the people of color who taught them everything they knew. This workshop is a introductory workshop to a few revolutionary people of color throughout history in the fields of regenerative technology, conservation, and environmental justice, and ways you can support organizations currently doing the work to bring people of color back to the land.
Mt. Washington Classic Backpacking
in collaboration with The Venture Out Project
Wabanaki Land
Mt. Washington, Sargent's Purchase, NH
This trip was brought forth by The Venture Out Project to support queer, trans, and non-binary folks to build community in the outdoors while learning the skills of backpacking and camping.
QTBIPoC Classic Backpacking
in collaboration with Wild Diversity, The Rusty Anvil, Next Adventure,
and The Venture Out Project
Molalla, Wasco, Wishram Land
Mt. Hood National Forest, Government Camp, OR
This trip was brought forth by The Venture Out Project to support queer, trans, and non-binary folks of color as they learn skills of backpacking and camping and share their experiences living at this intersection of identities. This trip was intended to provide access to people of color in the LGBTQ+ community and remove the many barriers faced when attempting to build a relationship to the outdoors; including a lack of representation.
June-July, 2019
QTBIPoC Classic Backpacking
in collaboration with Wild Diversity, The Rusty Anvil,
and The Venture Out Project
Wbanaki Land
The Long Trail, Danby, VT
This trip was brought forth by The Venture Out Project to support queer, trans, and non-binary folks of color as they learn skills of backpacking and camping and share their experiences living at this intersection of identities. This trip was intended to provide access to people of color in the LGBTQ+ community and remove the many barriers faced when attempting to build a relationship to the outdoors; including a lack of representation.
Queer Quest 2019
in collaboration with The School of Lost Borders
Ute Land
White River National Forest, Salida, CO
The Queer Quest is a rite of passage quest geared towards awakening the true potential in the multi-facets of what makes up every member of the LGBTQ+ community. This space is about healing, connection with the land, and community while diving into the depths of who they know themselves to be.
February-January, 2019
Mindful Tracking Experience
in collaboration with The Venture Out Project
Pocumtuc Land
Greenfield Center School, Greenfield, MA
During this workshop participants learn how to track animals, plants, and different spaces of heart and mind. We work with different mindfulness exercises to encourage an arrival into our parasympathetic nervous system and a connection with the land that provides space to regenerate wellness on a cellular level. Together we engage in wildlife observation and movement exercises to come into connection with the land in ways that remind us of our place within ourselves and the natural world, and we come to better understand the stories of our more-than-humxn kin, and our resilience.
Mt. Cardigan Classic Snowshoe
in collaboration with The Venture Out Project
Wabanaki Land​
Mt. Cardigan State Park, Alexandria, NH
This trip was brought forth by The Venture Out Project to support queer, trans, and non-binary folks to build community in the outdoors while learning the skills of snowshoeing, backpacking, and camping.
Mindful Tracking Experience
in collaboration with The Venture Out Project
Pocumtuc Land​
Greenfield Center School, Greenfield, MA
During this workshop participants learn how to track animals, plants, and different spaces of heart and mind. We work with different mindfulness exercises to encourage an arrival into our parasympathetic nervous system and a connection with the land that provides space to regenerate wellness on a cellular level. Together we engage in wildlife observation and movement exercises to come into connection with the land in ways that remind us of our place within ourselves and the natural world, and we come to better understand the stories of our more-than-humxn kin, and our resilience.
2018
Yes on 3! Trans Awareness Hike
in collaboration with The Venture Out Project
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Mohican Land
Mt. Greylock State Reservation, Lanesborough, MA
This hike was brought forth by The Venture Out Project and Yes on 3! community advocates to bring awareness to the ballot putting trans, non-binary, and queer rights on the line, and show our solidarity in this movement. Speakers addressed current issues within the community and ways folks can get involved in the voting booth. We hiked up Mt. Greylock and stood up the Trans and Non-binary flags to flow in the breeze and remind folks that we are in here in numbers, and we will fight for our rights.