Family Acorn Gathering Camping Trip

Last week our family went camping just up the coast a little ways on a nature preserve. We joined a little over 100 other people, participating in a "gathering" experience, where we all came together to learn from one another's primitive skills. During the week, there were multiple instructors who held classes on everything from knife sharpening and wood carving to tracking and pottery. There was yoga instruction offered each morning, I attended two mornings. Billy learned how to weave a basket with cattails and went on a tracking class where he tracked a coyote and a bobcat.

 

 I took a trail walk and learned all about some of the local edible and medicinal plants that I see all the time and never knew of. Who knew all these "weeds" everywhere were so awesome :) I also learned a little about the benefits of fermentation and made a sour croute. (well, it's in the making... fermenting)
The boys participated in a kids club where they had circle singing time, went on a nature walk and got to shoot a bow and arrow. They got to keep their bow and arrow too! We have been having some fun since we have been home. They also did art each day, painting and leaf rubbing.  We would have all done more, but we got rained on the first day there.

 

They served breakfast and dinner each day, we were responsible to bring food for lunches and snacking. In prep for this, one thing I did was make salads in jars!! Taco salads, they were so wonderful :) and it's amazing how much salad fits in a jar. They hit the spot for sure.

It was a good experience for our families first time tent camping. 3 nights in a tent was a good start for us and the education and experience was a good one for us. Who knows if we will return for the gathering next year... but, we have gotten our feet wet for camping:) Maybe I will try taking the boys this summer, to camp at the beach for a night with some friends.

we camped next to our friends, the Ford family, Billy's coworker Chris is the one who told us about the camp. This is their tent called the Kingdom! We had two small 4 man tents. 1 for sleeping and 1 for gear :) We will tent shop soon.