We invite families and individuals to join Gumby in a monthly practice in the art of tracking. The program has grown in 2009 and will continue into 2010. Gumby will guide participants in practice and study of tracking. You will receive teaching time followed by time actually tracking, and go away after each session with some routines you can apply at home to hone your skills. Participants should bring a notebook and pencil to take notes and for use in activities. You may even be given homework assignments for the next session. Regular attendance is encouraged for a well rounded experience with a supportive community of participants. Each session, will however, stand alone if anyone has specific interests, or has scheduling problems and can not attend every session. The ancient art of tracking is not just for hunters, search and rescuers, or wildlife biologists, but for anyone interested in learning the stories around them, by looking closer, and honing their powers of observation to a keen edge.
Program topics will include:
- The Art of Identification, Who made these tracks?
- The Art of Interpretation, What were they doing?
- The Art of Aging, When were they here?
- The Art of Trailing, Where did they go?
- The Art of Ecology, Why were they here?
- The Art of Empathy, How does it feel to be this animal?
- Spirit Tracking, Trusting impressions.
- Substrate Study, The science of soil, debris, substrates and how they differ.
- Technique, Tips, tricks, and tools to track more efficiently and effectively.
- Teaching Tracking, Passing on what you’ve received an a fun and engaging way.
