In this multi-day class, learners will read the children's classic novel "My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George. The story follows a young boy as he leaves his home to survive alone in the mountains. The young man not only survives - he thrives, practicing the primitive ways of generations of mountain men before him. What makes this class so distinctly unique, is that during every other class period, we will learn and practice a craft or skill similar to the ones used by our book's hero. Improvised skills such as making a bait fish trap from discarded plastic bottles, weaving a basket from materials found in the out-of-doors, and making acorn flour are a few of the possibilities, depending on the time of year and what's available in the child's area. Although the hero of our book is a young man, the class is every bit as much appropriate for young girls. 

Below is our class schedule:

Week 0 (Before class begins) - Read the first 20 pages of the book and be ready to discuss during the first class period.
Week 1 (5/14) - Discuss what we have read and continue reading in class. 
Week 2 (5/21) - Learn a wilderness skill. For example, making a slingshot. (Learners will be instructed to use their slingshots for target practice only, NOT for shooting at animals.)
Week 3 (5/28) - Discuss the next section of the book and continue reading in class.
Week 4 (6/4) - Learn a wilderness skill. For example, making a bait fish trap.
Week 5 (6/11) - Discuss the next section of the book and continue reading in class.
Week 6 (6/18) - Learn a wilderness skill. For example, making a poultice from plants. (The poultice will NOT be used. We will just learn how to make one from sample materials like grass and/or weeds.)
Week 7 (6/25) - Discuss the next section of the book and continue reading in class.
Week 8 (7/2) - Learn a wilderness skill. For example, making cordage from plant fibers.
Week 9 (7/9) - Discuss the rest of the book and review.