Course Series Overview
"Grandfather spoke again, saying, "Trying to live a spiritual life
in modern society is the most difficult path one can walk. It is a path
of pain, of isolation, and of shaken faith, but that is the only way
that our Vision can become reality. Thus the true Quest in life is to
live the philosophy of the Earth within the confines of man. There is
no church or temple we need to seek peace, for ours are the temples of
the wilderness. There are no spiritual leaders, for our hearts and the
Creator are our only leaders. Our numbers are scattered; few speak our
language or understand the things that we live. Thus we walk this path
alone, for each Vision, each Quest, is unique unto the individual. But
we must walk within society or our Vision dies, for a man not living
his Vision is living death."
-- The Quest
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Standard
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Course Prerequisites
Course Description
As the prerequisite for all other Tracker classes, Standard provides for each student a common vocabulary and a consistent understanding of the foundation of all of Tom’s teachings. To thoroughly prepare students, this Standard course provides a comprehensive introduction to each of Tracker’s seven core tracks, which are: Philosophy, Teaching, Healing, Prophecy/Vision, Scout, Survival Skills, and Tracking.
Nature Observation: Participants will be shown how to observe nature more deeply, and learn the basic philosophy that Tom considers the most important part of the school and the basis for all of his beliefs. Through skills including stalking (the ability to move silently and unseen through the forest) and camouflage (the means of concealment that allows one to become part of one's surroundings), students will learn how to immerse themselves in the natural world.
- Tracking: Participants will learn the basics of tracking, including track identification and analysis, pressure releases, sign tracking, scat identification, and how to follow a trail.
- Survival: The following survival skills will be covered:
- Shelter: techniques for constructing the debris hut, wicki-up, mud hut, cave dwelling, thatched shelter, and pit dwelling.
- Water: collecting water using a solar still, sink hole, plants, and other methods; purifying, transporting and storing water.
- Fire: making fire from friction using primitive methods, including the bow drill and hand drill, as well as how to build a proper fire.
- Food: finding food from plants and animals found in North America, ranging from desert to mountain terrain. Harvesting, preparation, and cooking of food will be covered, though in the interest of conservation only a sampling of such food will be prepared.
- Trapping: trapping animals using primitive snares and deadfalls. No animals will be trapped during the course, but participants will understand how to do this, if necessary.
- Tools: making stone tools, cordage and bow drills, as well as techniques for creating digging sticks, cooking utensils and bowls from a variety of natural materials.
- Tanning: primitive methods of brain tanning and making rawhide, as well as many useful items that can be made with the hide.
- Native American Lifestyle and Philosophy: the oneness with nature that is the underlying philosophy behind the skills learned, and how it is essential to survival.
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