A selection of crafts made at primitive skills gatherings.
If I had ample time and money I might spend a year traveling the primitive skills rendezvous circuit as a student and instructor. Primitive skills meets, which generally last 3-7 days, are a fun and cost-effective alternative to primitive skills schools, and a great opportunity to network with other rewilders in your area. Since you get to choose which classes you will attend, they allow you to focus on those particular skills that you are most interested in learning. Many of these events offer work trade opportunities for reduced entry fees and, once you get your foot in the door, teaching opportunities to skilled instructors in exchange for free attendance.
Keep in mind that some classes, such as hide tanning, often have extra materials fees and some meets include daily meals while others do not. Bartering and craft sales are common so bring your craft be it homebrew, leather work, stone tools or jewelry and you just might earn back some of your travel money. I have personally attended and recommend Echoes in Time, the Mid-Atlantic Primitive Skills Meet, and Rabbitstick. This year I will also be an instructor at the California Primitive Skills Gathering, which is in its first year.
- Feb 14-20, Winter Count, $300 ($275 early registration), Near Phoenix, AZ
- April 18-25, Rivercane Rendezvous, $315 ($295 early registration), near LaFayette, GA
- May 2-8, California Primitive Skills Gathering, near Forestville, CA, more info TBA
- May 16-22, Slick Rock Gathering, $400, near Boulder, UT
- May 28-31, Mid-Atlantic Primitive Skills Meet, TBA ($225 in 2009), Near Havre De Grace, MD
- June 16-19 Wild Food Summit, $100, near Frazee, MN (not a primitive skills meet, but relevant nonetheless)
- July 19-23 Echoes in Time, $128 (what a deal!!!), near Salem, OR
- Sept 12-18 Rabbit Stick, $300 ($275 early registration), near Rexburg, ID (the largest primitive skills gathering in the country!)
- Oct. TBA, Falling Leaves Rendezvous, near Lafayette, GA
This is just a sampling of some of the better known events. There are many more meets, rendezvous, and knap-ins across the country. For a more comprehensive list check here.
In case you were not aware, there’s a pretty cool gathering in Asheville, NC called the Firefly Gathering. As you can tell from the website — http://www.fireflygathering.org/ — it’s not just skillz, it’s rewilding. I mention it primarily for that reason. If you ever make the prim-skill circuit, you should check it out.
best,
kodama
Thanks for the tip Kodama, I was not aware of that one!
Do you have more info on that California gathering? or maybe other ones in California?
I found this: http://permie.net/2009/12/02/primitive-skills-gathering-planned-for-sonoma-county/
I don’t have more info on the ca gathering, the organizer said he would let me know when he got up a website. As soon as he does I will definitely post something about it on the site.
What timing, i just got the email! He says they are still perfecting the site but you can see it here: http://www.buckeyegathering.net/site2/Site/Home.html