Learning the old skills is direct communication from the Ancestors to the Children of the Future. In today's world, stepping into frontier living is like a metaphor the child can participate in and act out. Life is simplified to its bare essentials. Children learn to observe, to think to reach inside themselves for new resources in dealing with challenges and unfamiliar situations. They gain knowledge, wisdom and strength to enrich their lives in contemporary society. (Thomas J. Elpel)

An old American Indian proverb holds that "a People without knowledge of their history are like buffalo grass blowing in the wind." Knowing history is important to knowing who you are and where you are going. Consciously aware, the present moment is the point of power.

* The Frontier Skills workshops were well received when we introduced them fall semester of 2004. We are now planning to integrate some of the frontier skills listed below throughout the summer camp sessions starting in June 2008. Depending on the activity there may be additional materials fees. When there are additional materials fees, parents will have the option to have their child participate or not.

• Stitchery, Ditty Bag, making period clothing (frontier, mountain man, or American Indian), setting up a frontier camp, fire starting, the stories and lore of the times
• Medicine bag, beadwork and leather work, stories and lore
• Chokers, coil pottery, moccasin making, Fremont dolls, stories and lore
• Drum making, Atlatls, making a target, practice with Atlatls, Primitive games, the stories and lore
• American Indian music, Indian dancing, face painting, American Indian Sign language, the stories and lore

* A skilled frontiersman gives instruction and model skills for the children during camps where these skills may be presented.

* All activities are based on an apprenticeship model. All materials are authentic and replications of the period presented. The instructors are experienced in the skills, lore and history of ancient American Indian tribes, the early frontiersmen and mountain men.

The intention of these workshops is to pass along the problem solving skills, the exceptional manual dexterity and ancient knowledge of our ancestors. The children learn the laws and ways of thriving in the natural world and can emulate the models presented to them. The experiences enhance their ability to creatively solve the complex problems that confront them in our ever-changing technological society. This occurs because the children become familiar with nature and the natural laws that govern the outcomes of their decisions.

Children step into history developing self-discipline, personal accountability, respect, communication skills, social skills and problem solving skill all of which prepare them to step beyond the ordinary "do it this way" mentality of contemporary society. They realize that there is always another way to successfully approach and resolve any situation with which they are confronted.

* Due to the high skill level required for these workshops, the ability to focus attention over a period of time is required. It is not practical, nor feasible to include very young children in these specialty frontier activities.

* Some frontier skills crafts require costly materials, so there may be a supplemental craft fee collected to defray the additional costs. Participants and parents will be informed of these fees beforehand.