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| About Us |
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Perhaps the best way to describe who we are is to tell you about a man called Grandfather. "Grandfather was an anachronism. His wisdom does not fit into modern society, but is the call to wilder times and places where all things are real. Modern time and place had no value in his world, for his world was without limits or time. His world was that of nature and eternity. He was truely one of the ancients, part man, part animal, and almost entirely spirit. His home was the wilderness and in the wilderness he tested all things. Most of all, he was a searcher for truth. His was a life of grand simplicity that few would ever know, where true riches were defined in beauty..."
Grandfather was born into a small clan of Lipan Apaches living in the American southwest in the 1880's. Taught from an early age the ways of the earth he was called to the life of shaman and scout. His vision was a search for truth, both the spiritual and physical. He did not only know the making of his people's bow, but of twelve types of bows and arrows. Knowledge accumulated from over 60 years spent wandering the Americas from the far reaches of the Amazon, to the Canadian tundra. Our group strives for a life more like Grandfather's, pure in interaction with the natural, physical world, in harmony with the spirit world, and "One" with all. Grandfather was a real man, and many years ago he mentored a boy named Tom in the ways of the shaman and the scout. Currently, Tom runs a school in New Jersey called Tom Brown's Tracking, Nature, and Wilderness Survival School that teaches wilderness survival skills, tracking, and philosophy. Tom has written 16 books on his experiences, learnings, and teachings. Including two books on his own life, one on the life of Grandfather, and several field guides. *(Tom Brown, Jr., Grandfather, 1996, Berkley) As a club, we have some "regular" activities. No one is required to attend any of these if they are not interested. Being part of the club does not require regular attendance. Some of us have made a commitment to ourselves for our own benefit. Often we go to Larry Kinsella's for Flintknapping on Wednesday nights. He is a great teacher that has been flintknapping for somewhere around 30 years. There is a link on the links page if you care to contact him. Always call him to see if he is having people over that night or not. This is free for the asking. On the second Wednesday night of each month, we go to Luna Herbs in Illinois for a study group with Kristine that focuses on Herbal Medicinals. This is free but donations are welcome as is food to share after. There is a link to her site as well. We also study Herbal Medicinals with Ethel in the Steelville, Missouri area. This part of our schedule is determined by Ethels time more than anything else but we are flexible - if she has the time and wants to teach us, we will reschedule a "normal" event to accomodate her. This is free of charge though we offer our labor as a thanks to Ethel and Pat. Sometimes, if supplies are needed, you will have to provide your own. We also have 8 subjects that we give ourselves 2 months to research and write up (we call it homework). We then, during a meeting, go over our notes with each other. All events and meetings are free. Sometimes you will need to supply your own materials for certain subjects. We have no dues. If you have something to offer our club, please, don't hesitate to let us know. We like to learn everything we can. |
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