“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.”
The winter months are a wonderful time to be out in the woods, learning about birds and mammals through their tracks and other traces, such as scat, feathers, rubbings, and nests. The snow provides a white canvas for track paintings — and the snow itself is an ordinary miracle.
Over the course of the day groups will participate in three unique sessions out on the land, with each session focused on a different winter experience.
Participants can expect to go on a guided hike following tracks and traces in the forest where in addition to looking for tracks, we’ll listen for birds, feel the wind on our skin, and explore the wintery landscape with all our senses.
You’ll then get a chance to join at the campfire to build your winter skills roasting apples, learning about fire making, and having an opportunity to walk with snowshoes in the deep snow.
Finally, you’ll be invited to explore your creativity by making nature inspired art celebrating winter’s subtle and inspiring beauty!
Below is a rough schedule for the day, subject to change.
| 10:00 AM – 10:15 AM | Welcome & Opening Circle | |
|---|---|---|
| 10:15 AM – 12:15 PM | Tracking Hike with Hilbert Buist | |
| 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch Break | |
| 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM | Fire & Winter Skills with Luke Howie | |
| 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM | Art with Rena Upitis | |
| 3:00 PM | Closing & Departure |
Wintergreen's outdoor classroom will provide a shelter from the elements and warm beverages will be provided. During inclement weather, participants will be able to warm up in the lodge.
REGISTRATION
This community event is FREE and open to all.
Please BYOBL (bring your own boomerang lunch). What’s a boomerang lunch, you ask? It’s where everything you bring goes back with you (in your belly or in your pack), leaving no tracks or traces at Wintergreen. Hot beverages will be provided.
SUPPORTERS
This event is available at no charge thanks to the generous support from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and The S.M. Blair Family Foundation.
