Signups Open for 2011 Summer Workshop Series at Better Farm
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| John Sundbeck teaches a Tai Chi lesson by the banks of the St. Lawrence, Summer 2010. |
All workshops held at the Farm include in their price shared-lodging accommodations, parking, laundry access, wireless Internet, all linens, meals, and group activities. All sign-ups are non-refundable except for instances of a workshop being canceled due to low enrollment. After you sign up, you will be sent a confirmation e-mail requesting further information regarding meals, lodging preferences, and special needs.
Below is a condensed list of our summer programming. Click here to learn more and sign up!
June 10-12
BACKWOODS 101: Introduction to wild edible plants & primitive camping
This course will focus on the importance of properly identifying plants, leaf structures, different parts of plants, harvesting and preparing, as well as positive recognition of poisonous plants. Students will will canoe or kayak down Black Creek looking for edible plants and a good camping area to build a primitive campsite overnight. In the instance of inclement weather the group may elect to use the outfitter’s tent. Participants should bring a bedroll, netting, flashlight, poncho, and water bottle. A daypack for hauling your gear will be beneficial, pack light! Better Farm will provide food to take along and bug spray. Group will meet at Better Farm the evening of Friday, June 10 for dinner and orientation, heading out for Black Creek Saturday morning and returning Sunday.
Instructor: Craig R. Rice is a New York Sate-certified guide instructor with more than three decades of experience in survivalism and outdoor adventuring.
June 19-21
FOR THE PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER: Build a relationship with your clients and keep them coming back!This two-day, hands-on course will explain in detail the workflow that makes a professional photography studio successful. Participants will be shown how to pose subjects for portraiture in studio lighting, as well as outdoors under natural light. The workshop will encompass everything from photographing the client to marketing and selling photography services. Those in attendance will also learn about marketing techniques, customer service, specialty packages, and products that are sure to increase profits and raise a studio’s bottom line.
Instructor: Penny Heath is a professional photographer who has been in business for 25 years. Based out of her studio in Redwood, N.Y., she specializes in portrait photography.
ADIRONDACK HIGH PEAKS ADVENTURE
Hurricane Mountain: June 23-26, Oct 7-9
Whiteface Mountain: July 28-31
Giant Mountain: Aug 25-28
Dix & Noonmark Mountain: Sept 29- Oct 3
Experience two or more nights in the wilderness on one of four mountains. We will either camp primitively at a site chosen in the field or ruck out in a lean-to if one is available. All summits are open with tremendous views of the surrounding mountains from New York’s Mt. Marcy and Champlain Valley to the Green Mts. of Vermont. These trips are strenuous and require that you are in good physical condition. Proper attire is mandatory, good hiking/backpacking boots a must. You will be expected to carry a pack weighing 25 pounds or more and partake in setting up and breaking camp. Awesome trips for those tough enough. Trip planning is dynamic, the abilities and desires of your group will form our goals. Outfitting for four people: packs, sleeping bags, pads, Gortex outerwear, and more is available, please contact info@betterfarm.org with your needs. Group will meet at Better Farm Thursday evening for dinner and orientation, and leave from there Friday morning. Group will return to Better Farm Sunday.
Outfitter: Craig R. Rice is a New York Sate-certified guide instructor with more than three decades of experience in survivalism and outdoor adventuring.
July 9
INTRODUCTION TO TAI CHI AND THE BASICS OF SELF-DEFENSEThis three-hour seminar will acquaint students with I Ching breathing exercises, which are the foundation of the Chinese Internal Chi (including Chi Gung, Nui Gung, Fuhn Hey, and Dim Mak); and prime aspects of personal safety and self defense. Those in attendance will acquire basic skills associated with self defense including necessary holds and escape maneuvers, as well as the foundation of stances and postures associated with Tai Chi.
Instructor: John Sundbeck has been training in the Yang system Tai Chi with Master Shing Perin, originally from Taiwan, for more than 30 years. Mr. Sundbeck holds a rank of third degree Black Belt in Chito Ryu Karate, and for many years, was chief instructor of The Rochester Yoseikan Karate School. Over his many years in the Martial arts, Mr. Sundbeck has trained with six world renound Masters.
July 15-17
Aug. 12-14
Sept. 9-11
Oct. 14-16
ADIRONDACK ADVENTURE
Travel to Wanakena, N.Y. in the beautiful Adirondack foothills and put down an afternoon hike to the summit of Cat Mountain with spectacular views of endless Adirondack wilds, a few more miles of hiking, and overnight in an authentic Adirondack lean-to. Go swimming or canoeing while your guides prepare an outdoor banquet that is sure to bring the bears running! The next morning after breakfast, we’ll have a pleasant woods walk along a mostly flat trail back to the trailhead and civilization. Sleeping bag, proper attire, extra socks, hiking boots, and backpack along with a camera will do you well. We’re happy to make our extra gear available if needed. Each group will meet at Better Farm Thursday evening for dinner and orientation, and leave from there Friday morning. Group will return to Better Farm Sunday.
Instructors: Craig R. Rice and guest TBA.
Aug. 19-21
BUSHWHACKING 101: Intro to orienteering & primitive camping
In "Bushwhacking 101" we will discuss map symbols, contour lines, gradient and route finding, as well as plotting a course, recognizing and using natural features, and establishing a backup plan. We will learn skills to navigate with a compass, variation, declination, taking bearings, following headings, triangulation, dead reckoning, getting lost, and getting out. Students will also learn backup methods for navigating such as wind direction, the sunshine, the stars, etc. We will follow up some classroom time, practice and planning with a bushwhack through trailless woods to our primitive campsite and return the following day. Each student will receive a quality magnetic compass and topographic maps of the surrounding area for this course. Participants should bring a bedroll, netting, flashlight, poncho, and waterbottle. A daypack for hauling your gear will be beneficial, pack light! Better Farm will provide food to take along and bugspray. Group will meet at Better Farm the evening of Friday, Aug. 19 for dinner and orientation, heading into the woods Saturday morning and returning Sunday.
Instructor: Craig R. Rice
Aug. 26-28
Yoga for Creativity
This workshop is for artists and those interested in a more creative life. We will explore classic yogic practices and philosophy to help remove obstacles, uncover source material, and engender stability in your creative work or daily life. In the spirit of inquiry we will focus on connections between creation and yoga including: allowing intention to arise, anchoring our resolution, coping with disturbances, and integrating the will. A combination of experiential arts activities, lecture, and discussion will be used to develop personal understanding and application of material to life outside of the workshop. We’ll investigate movement, stillness, sound, ritual, constructing, and de-constructing. Postures and breathing practices are offered in a safe and therapeutic manner and will range from mild to moderate.
Yoga experience not necessary; curiosity, courage, and uncertainty are.
Instructor: Lisa Enzer, M.Ed., RYT-500 hr., developed "Yoga for Creativity" as a way to integrate ancient wisdom traditions with her many years of experience as a performer, choreographer, teaching artist, and community builder.
Lisa has a wide-ranging background in experimental theater, drama education, dance, classical yoga, and group facilitation.
