Welcome to the first year of Buckeye!  Head towards Santa Rosa, California, and camp out for a week. Choose from a wide range of workshops every day, share food, and enjoy the fire together at night.  What we offer has not always been known as ‘Ancestral Arts’, ‘Primitive Technology’, ‘Wilderness Survival’ or ‘Earth Living Skills’.  At one time it was just simply, LIFE.  So here is your chance to learn from teachers who keep these ways alive, to find doorways to deepening your connections to nature, to meet new pals, and see where inspiration takes you!

             We are honored to hold Buckeye at YaKaAma, a Native American governed non-profit, and ask all participants to help tend the land with respect to ensure the continuance of events (like ours!) on their land.  We encourage a family-oriented, all-ages event that will emphasize skills and materials indigenous to California, while welcoming skills, students and instructors from all over the map as well.   The central arbor and fire pit will be at our core, with fields and forest edges for camping in tents, tipis, vehicles and under the stars.   The Russian River is accessible from the land by a 10 minute walk, and we are also blessed with poison oak in the forests to remind us to keep our awareness keen!  We’ll have a schedule, map, orientation information, and i.d. bracelets for you at the entrance. 

              At Buckeye, you might find craft and skill oriented workshops such as:

     friction fire                  plant fiber cordage                stone, bone & wood tools                 buckskin                       basket weaving                nature awareness/tracking

        pottery                   local flora & fauna i.d.               wild foods preparation           musical instruments         primitive weaponry                     fiber/textile arts

herbal medicine               shelter building                                   games                              storytelling                   basic blacksmithing                      flintknapping

   earthen ovens               natural pigments                       sandals & moccasins                     trapping                 local resource management                     felting                        

            And more!  This year instructors have even threatened to teach:  wild seed food bars, parfleche making, edible bug walks, and even Mayan backstrap loom weaving (contact us early to sign up for that one)...  We may have an on-going acorn processing camp and a redwood bark tipi class.  It’s our first year, so bear with us as we navigate new waters! 

                   

            Students can arrive starting Saturday evening, May 1st (Happy Mayday!).  Early Sunday morning, May 2, is a great time to arrive.  That afternoon we will gather for opening ceremonies and orientation.  Instructors will announce their basic schedules for the week; specific classes and times won’t be available until then.  On Monday morning begin 5 days of classes:  breakfast and class announcements at 8, classes from 9 till noon, lunch, afternoon classes from 1 to 5, and dinner around 6.  Kid’s camp runs everyday. There will be a central fire in the arbor and a few satellite camp fires set up in the evenings.  There will be a designated afternoon for a barter fair, and some special event and dance nights (we hope to have local dance groups performing).  Bring your acoustic instruments!  Saturday we may have some special morning classes, and closing ceremonies before parting ways.

            We’re providing breakfast and dinner so that we can share meals and have more time to focus on learning and teaching.   There will be simple meat and vegetarian options every meal, and our chef is focused on local and organic cooking.  Lunches are up to you!  Bring your own bowl and/or plate, drinking vessel, and utensils.  The first meal is Sunday dinner, and the last is Saturday breakfast on the 8th.  It’s a lot of work to do this our first year, but it’ll be worth it!

            What to bring:  a shelter, bedding, flashlight, food for lunches, bowl/plate, utensils, knife & sharpener for classes, water containers, musical instruments, swimsuit, toiletries, a solar shower if you wish (no showers on site), poison oak remedies, and clothing.  This is not a clothing optional event.  Bring money and trade goods for the crafts and resources that will be available from instructors and at the barter fair. Some instructors may also require materials fees. We provide:  porto-potties, breakfasts and dinners, & drinking water.  Please produce minimal garbage and take out what you bring in!  There are no non-service pets allowed, so this means if you arrive at the gate with your trusty canine you will be turned away. 

             We ask all students to volunteer for three hours over the week to help everything flow smoothly and to get a chance to rub elbows with new pals.  You can sign up upon arrival - the lion’s share of volunteer time will be with meals and kitchen work.  Work trade is also available for discounted entry!  Contact us now if you’re interested.

           

            Thanks to all the early organizers’ energy, and thanks to all the gatherings like Rattlesnake Rendezvous, Wintercount, Echoes in Time, & Rabbitstick who paved the way!  Keep your eyes on the website as we post updates.  Let’s have some unprecedented fun!