WILDERNESS SKILLS
In creating a sacred world, every child should learn how to live as one with the Earth - to know how to build a shelter and make fire. We can learn to have a deep appreciation for our lives and our world. There is beauty all around us. When we disconnect from the web of life, we disconnect from our true nature and disease manifests. Andy Steigmeier and Melanie Ryan provide classes for adults, families and children. We offer programs that share profound wisdom and the skills for creating an enlightened society.
Wilderness Skills Educators
Andy Steigmeier received his first introduction to survival training while in the U.S. Marine Corps. After that time he was introduced to primitive skills by Cody Lundin in Arizona. Andy then discovered Children of the Earth Foundation and the Tom Brown Jr. Tracker School in New Jersey and spent many years taking classes as a student and became a staff volunteer. Andy continues to volunteer at the Tracker School and 4 Elements Earth Education Family Program. Since 2021, he also teaches with the Boy Scouts of America as an Assistant Scout Master and Wilderness Merit Badge Counselor. Andy is excellent at teaching skills in a way that makes it easy and fun. He brings humor and playfulness to his teaching and it is clear how much he loves connecting people to the Earth and ancestral ways.
Melanie Ryan has always been deeply connected to nature and has studied with various indigenous people around the world. In 2017, she found Children of the Earth Foundation and the Tom Brown Jr. Tracker School. She has spent many years taking classes as a student and volunteer. Melanie specializes in teaching awareness, Tibetan Buddhist meditation, energy work, golden shadow work, organic gardening, and facilitating private wilderness retreats and vision Quests. Melanie trained as a Vision Quest Protector with Malcolm Ringwalt, an elder in the Tracker School lineage.
COURSE OFFERINGS
Workshops & Private Retreats
To book a workshop, private family retreat, or vision quest, please contact us through our Contact Page.
Check our Calendar Page for upcoming events and subscribe to our newsletter to join our community and stay informed.
Homeschool Classes
2-4 hours
For Families
Teenagers
Melanie and Andy are homeschooling veterans. They teach wilderness skills, holistic health, arts & crafts, leadership, and more.
These are for children, teens, and families. A variety of classes can be designed specifically for your needs. Our team includes guest teachers and specialists. See below for course descriptions on wilderness skills and contact us to join or create a homeschooling group.
Awareness with Andy Steigmeier
2-3 hours
Classes for families
Classes for homeschoolers
Adults classes
This class goes far beyond the way everyday people see and interact with the world around them. In this class you will begin to see the “ordinary magic” around you as our ancient ancestors once did. To behold and see as few people do. This class is about the deeper meaning of awareness, observation and asking yourself the sacred question, “what does this mean?”
Awareness with Melanie Ryan
3 hours
For ages 8 and up
In person and online
Awareness is the key to a successful life. This class teaches you the 5 levels of open awareness from the Tibetan Buddhist lineage of Shambhala, the enlightened society. We will practice various kinds of meditations that focus on sense perceptions, the eye gaze, breath, and letting go of thoughts. Each level is an advancement toward a state of “being” or “open sky.” This class teaches both with sitting and walking meditation practice.
Fire by Friction with Andy Steigmeier
3 hours
Classes for families
Classes for homeschoolers
Adults classes
Fire is third in the sacred order of survival. This class is going to take a unique approach to a common subject. We will explore the unique ways that ancient cultures from around the world utilized and designed fire by friction methods. The scope and focus of this class will far surpass the common hand drill and bow drill methods. Students will have the opportunity for hands on experience with bow drill and hand drill kits.
If you have your own fire kit, please bring that with you.
Let’s have fun and make some fire!
Cordage with Andy Steigmeier
2 hours
Classes for families
Classes for homeschoolers
Adults classes
Cordage with natural plant fibers is one of the most overlooked skills in the art of living with the earth. Natural handmade cordage has been used since the dawn of the Stone Age to make bow drills, hunting bows, traps, clothing and so much more. In this class you will make durable, dependable cordage from common plant materials. This is a hands on experience class for making cordage and learning common methods and plants best suited for this critical skill.
Shelter Building with Andy Steigmeier
4 hours
Classes for families
Classes for homeschoolers
Adults classes
Long before houses, our ancient ancestors thrived and survived in shelters of all kinds. Shelter is first in the sacred order of survival and living with the earth for a very profound reason. The common person walking around is often one that is disconnected from our Earth mother and therefore disconnected in how they view and interact with the natural world. This class will draw you in close to the Earth. During this class, you will see the natural world with new eyes. It will open your heart and hear the call to come home to nature. This is a hands on class and we will be constructing a debris hut shelter, discussing a variety of shelter types as well as emergency preparedness using modern means.
Primitive Traps with Andy Steigmeier
2-3 hours
Classes for families
Classes for homeschoolers
Adults classes
Food is last in the sacred order of survival. Traps are crucial in the effort to harvest animals in order to gain the required nutrients for survival and long term living. In this class we will cover the most useful traps for small animals. Students will get hands on experience making and setting traps from materials they collect from the woods. No animals will be trapped or killed in this class.
Physical Concentric Rings with Andy Steigmeier
2 hour Class
Classes for families
Classes for homeschoolers
Adults classes
Picture a pebble being tossed into a calm pond, now picture a boulder being tossed into that same calm water. The initial splash and waves of energy are examples of what we are talking about in this class. The manner in which we move across and within the landscape is felt and communicated in the natural world through an intricate web that is infinite in its reach. In this class you will take your first steps into the magical world of natures internet.
Spoon and Bowl with Andy Steigmeier & Melanie Ryan
4 hour Class
Classes for families
Classes for homeschoolers
Adults classes
Wilderness living skills are all connected and interrelated. No one skill is more important than another, this class is no different. This class will focus on the basics skills of making bowls and utensils. Students will be carving, utilizing fire, and stone scraping tools to create their own bowl and spoon. Please bring your own carving knife. Knives will be available for purchase if needed. Supply is limited.
Vision Quests with
Melanie Ryan & Andy Steigmeier
1-4 Day Vision Quests for Teens & Adults:
Vision Quest is a calling from the Creator. Here we find Vision and purpose, revelation and understanding, purification and inspiration, and healing at every level of our life. The Vision Quest opens up the realms of purity where the Quester’s heart relaxes, opens, and is able to listen for guidance, inspiration, and self-reflection that is so crucial to the spiritual journey. It is time to dive into the mind, body, and heart to explore the vast mysteries of life. We come back to our roots and become one with wild nature, and open to the realms of spiritual guidance and the Creator. Each Quest reveals its own seeds that will blossom, helping you gain the clarity you need to reach your truth and potential.
Sacred Pipe Ceremony with
Melanie Ryan & Andy Steigmeier
8 hour class
Join us in deep gratitude as we come together to celebrate and raise the sacred pipe honoring the creator, Earth mother, the four directions and our spiritual ancestors and teachers. The sacred pipe ceremony is more than just raising the pipe, it is a culmination of deep connection and reverence for Earth and Spirit. Students will be active participants working together to create and prepare the site for the pipe ceremony. Students will also have time for introspection during individual reflection and group sharing to set the intentions for this powerful ceremony experience.
