Day & Weekend Classes

Classes, Workshops, Symposiums, and Other Educational Events Open to the Public

UofWild community programs are about living lighter on the earth, living in harmony with the natural world, ecology and ecology-related issues, and indigenous ecology, skills, and wisdom. Credit is available for some programs, subject to permission from your college or university.

Everyone is welcome. Come join us!

Please see the Calendar for information about current classes and educational happenings.

UW-103 Biography of the Land: A “Sense of Place” Tour with Larry Buell

Sunday, October 3rd 2:00 – 4:00 PM

Join Larry Buell, local Land Historian on a tour of a unique section of the eastern section of Petersham. Explore ancient stonework of the Nipmuc Nation, visit homestead sites long gone, and witness the emergence of new landscapes for education, wisdom teachings, and sacred healing. Moderate hiking on forest foot paths.

DETAILS: Meet at the South Common, Petersham, MA (Directions). Cost FREE

REGISTER: To register for this class, call 978 724-0412 or register online

CREDIT: One (1) credit is available for this class. If you want to get credit, you must arrange the credit through your own college or university.

UW-100 The 24-Hour Experience Outdoor Adventure – Leader Training

Sat.-Sun. October 16-17

An outdoor adventure that spans the full cycle of a day and night will open senses, minds, and hearts to build a deeper awareness of nature and community. Participants build trust, solve problems, and learn outdoor skills. The program travels over a variety of forest, wetlands, and open terrain. To become a certified 24-Hour Experience leader, you must take both the additional training class and the actual experience. If you have already done the experience, you only need to sign up for the class portion.

DETAILS: 9:00 am Sat to 9:00 am Sun for the experience, plus 9:00 am Sun to 6:00 pm Sun for the additional leader training. UofWild Campus in Petersham (Directions). Cost $50-$85 for the experience plus $25-$50 for the additional class, sliding scale (some financial aid might be available for this class). Facilitators: Lenore Anderson, Outward Bound Instructor, and Anthony Brogno.  This is a UofWild Intensive. See full details and registration form.

REGISTER: To register for this class, call 978 724-0412 or register online

CREDIT: One (1) credit is available for this class. If you want to get credit, you must arrange the credit through your own college or university.

UW 112  Building with Aircrete

Sat October 23

Need a garden shed or planters for your raised garden? Curious about how to build domes? Come check out aircrete, a lighter-weight, greener alternative to concrete.

Concrete was being used to build housing around 6500 BC in regions of Syria and Jordan. By 3000 BC, the Egyptians were using cement mortar – oodles of it – to build the Great Pyramids and the Chinese were using a form of concrete to build the Great Wall of China. By 200 BC, the Romans were using concrete made from volcanic ash, lime, and seawater as their primary building material.

Concrete is still used throughout the world: it is strong, versatile, and easy to make. Unfortunately, the manufacture of concrete now accounts for 5-7% of all carbon emissions. Aircrete, which is concrete filled with air bubbles, is a greener version of concrete It is much lighter to work with and offers excellent insulation due to the air bubbles. It can be formed into blocks, poured into forms, and spread by hand. It is fireproof, waterproof, and pest proof. It is a great building material for DIY projects.

This class will introduce you to the many uses of aircrete, from small structures to the foundations, walls, ceilings, and attics of entire houses. You’ll get hands-on experience and lots of tips as we show you how to use it. We’ll tell you where to find materials, plans, and longer courses (if you want to build a dome or larger structure).

DETAILS: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, UofWild Campus in Petersham (Directions). Cost $40 (some financial aid might be available for this class).

REGISTER: To register for this class, call 978 724-0412.

 

UW 153 Winter Wilderness Skills

January 2022 – Date TBA

An introduction to the principles and practices of winter wilderness living skills. Learn how to enjoy time in the back country in the winter and skills for survival if necessary. The course introduces students to the following skills: carving and using a bow and drill fire making set; building and sleeping in a winter shelter made from natural materials;  making natural rope; foraging for winter wild edible foods, and winter navigation.

DETAILS: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, UofWild Campus in Petersham (Directions). Cost $50 (some financial aid might be available for this class). Questions? Call 978 724-0412.

REGISTER: To register for this class, call 978 724-0412.

CREDIT: One (1) credit is available for this class. Course graded credit/no credit. Students must be 18 to register for credit.

 

UW 126 Rites of Passage

May 2022

Investigate vision quests and other rites of passage, ancient and contemporary ceremonies, and rituals that are found in most cultural traditions to assist individuals to pass symbolically and literally from youth to adulthood. You will learn the phases of personal transition and connections to the natural environment to promote clarity and connections with the environment. This experiential course includes in-the-field teachings as well as one night and two days of residency at a solo site in a backcountry area for personal reflection through inner guidance.

DETAILS: 8:30am Fri – 4:00 pm Sat, UofWild Campus in Petersham (Directions). Cost $150 (some financial aid might be available for this class).

REGISTER: To register for this class, call 978 724-0412.

CREDIT: One (1) credit is available for this class. Course graded credit/no credit. Students must be 18 to register for credit.

UW 123  Exploring Ecological Consciousness

May 2022

Explores experiential education practices that shift students’ perception towards an awareness of being part of the natural world, directly related to other life forms and ecologies. Students increase their knowledge of nature awareness exercises for diverse age ranges and backgrounds. The course includes experiential exercises, visualization and personal sharing in the natural environment.

DETAILS: 8:30am Fri – 4:00 pm Sat, UofWild Campus in Petersham (Directions). Cost $150 (some financial aid might be available for this class).

REGISTER: To register for this class, call 978 724-0412.

CREDIT: One (1) credit is available for this class. Course graded credit/no credit. Students must be 18 to register for credit.

 

Podcasts

Earth-based Philosopy, Content, Methods
On-line with interactive options

Creating Community in an Age of Climate Distuption

Indigenous Wisdom & Teachings for Today

Social Justice and the Earth

Eating from the Wild

Creating Alternative Septic Systems

Alternative College, Credits, and Credibility

Alternative Structures & Systems that Work

How to Get Credit for a Class

If you want to get credit for a University of the Wild class from your own university or college, you will need to talk to your advisor and/or department head to arrange for permission. We would be happy to talk to your school to answer questions. Ask your advisor to speak with Larry Buell at 978 724-0412 or larry@uofwild.org.

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