Earth Connection's Apprentice Program 2009
Earth Connection is very proud to announce our new Apprentice Programs for 2009. There are several different ways to utilize our programs and different time tables that they can be run.
- Our brand new Two Week Apprenticeship which can be run on our site in northern Virginia for 14 consecutive days.
- One Month Apprenticeship can be run on our site in northern Virginia for 30 consecutive days.
- We also offer Three Month, Six Month and Twelve Month Apprenticeships which offer the student access to any of our regularly scheduled weekend and weeklong classes during that time, plus special days of custom training directly with Tim MacWelch, and a primitive "campout" to test your skills at the end of the Apprenticeship.
- Each Apprenticeship will be tailored toward the needs and goals of each student. The Apprenticeships will provide each person with an opportunity to learn and practice the modern survival skills and traditional primitive technologies that Earth Connection has to offer.
Each Apprentice Program includes:
- Automatic enrollment in the regularly scheduled weekend and weeklong courses that are occurring that Apprenticeship term
- Additional days of instruction directly with Tim MacWelch, School Founder and Head Instructor
- Structured projects and assignments to practice and reinforce the skills
- An opportunity to learn directly from nature and step out of the "Rat Race" for a while
- Testing by Earth Connection's staff, to prove the quantity and quality of your knowledge at the end of the Apprenticeship
Subjects Available During Apprenticeship
Depending on the actual number of training days in your Apprenticeship, you may not have time for everything. But a sampling of your choices includes - The Priorities of Survival - Primitive shelter construction - Modern survival shelters - Water gathering and purification with modern and primitive techniques - Basic fire building - Friction Fire Making with Bow Drill, Hand Drill, Fire Plow, Fire Saw, Pump Drill and Mouth Drill - Primitive tool making, including flintknapping - Basketry - Nature Observation skills - Wild edible plants - Primitive trapping with snares and deadfalls - Animal tracking and sign reading - Friction Fire Materials Identification - Primitive cooking - Flint and steel fire making - Cordage production and fiber arts - Processing wild game - Food preservation - Primitive Fishing - Throwing stick hunting - and more.
Projects & Items That Can Be Produced During Apprenticeship
A primitive shelter - A modern shelter - Baskets of wicker, coiled grass and wood splints - Hand drill, Bow drill, Pump Drill and other friction fire kits - Cordage - Traps - Primitive Tools, including stone knives, arrowheads, scrapers, drills, bone needles and more - A functional stone oven - Primitive fishing tackle, including line, bone hooks and a basket trap - A soapstone cooking pot - Wild edible plant meals - and more.
The Two Week - "On Site" Apprenticeship Program
This is a quick, but powerful Apprenticeship option, staying 14 consecutive days at our woodland camp training facility. Students will be automatically enrolled in any regularly scheduled weekend and weeklong classes during their 14 days, which can start at the beginning of the month, or any other time that we agree upon. During the apprenticeship students will receive 4 days of customized instruction with Tim MacWelch, and be encouraged to live as primitively as they are comfortable. You may start with just a few camping supplies, and work toward a full primitive living experience. You will be responsible for your own transportation, communications, food and supplies during this month. We have a solar shower, outhouse and modern laundry machines that you may use. You set your own level of involvement and immersion.
The 4 days of customized instruction will be agreed upon by both parties during the 2 weeks, except for Holidays and the Week long class already scheduled in that month. The days not scheduled for training, will be organized with projects, crafts and skills practice in subjects that we mutually agree upon.
$900 for the Two Week - "On Site" Apprenticeship Program
The One Month "On Site" Apprenticeship Program
This is our most intense Apprenticeship option, staying 30 consecutive days at our woodland camp training facility. Students will be automatically enrolled in any regularly scheduled weekend and weeklong classes during their 30 days, which can start at the beginning of the month, or any other time that we agree upon. During the apprenticeship students will receive 6 days of customized instruction with Tim MacWelch, and be encouraged to live as primitively as they are comfortable. You may start with just a few camping supplies, and work toward a full primitive living experience. You will be responsible for your own transportation, communications, food and supplies during this month. We have a solar shower, outhouse and modern laundry machines that you may use. You set your own level of involvement and immersion.
The 6 days of customized instruction will be Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9am - 4pm during the month, except for Holidays and the Week long class already scheduled in that month. The days not scheduled for training, will be organized with projects, crafts and skills practice in subjects that we mutually agree upon.
$1900 for the One Month "On Site" Apprenticeship Program
The Three Month Apprenticeship Program
This is a more flexible Apprenticeship option, for people who cannot take off a month at once, but still want to learn these skills in a short period of time. Students will be automatically enrolled in any regularly scheduled weekend and weeklong classes during the 3 months. We start at the first of the month, and run until the end 3 months for this option. During the apprenticeship students will receive 2 days of customized instruction with Tim MacWelch each month, to the total of 6 days of training. Near the end of the 3 months, the Apprentice will go on a primitive "campout" with at least one member of Earth Connection's staff to test their skills, and to prove the quantity and quality of their knowledge at the end of the Apprenticeship.
The 6 days of customized instruction will be Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays 9am - 4pm during the 3 months, except for Holidays and the Week long class already scheduled in that month. There will be "homework" of projects, crafts and skills practice in subjects that we mutually agree upon. FYI - Camping over is permitted during classes, but this is not a 3 month lease on a campsite. You will need to live somewhere else during the 3 months.
$1900 for the Three Month Apprenticeship Program
The Six Month Apprenticeship Program
This is a more extended Apprenticeship option, for people who really want to get involved in these skills, but still want to hold down a normal life. Students will be automatically enrolled in any regularly scheduled weekend and weeklong classes during the 6 months. We start at the first of the month, and run until the end of 6 months for this option. During the apprenticeship students will receive 2 days of customized instruction with Tim MacWelch each month, to the total of 12 days of training. Near the end of the 6 months, the Apprentice will go on a primitive "campout" with at least one member of Earth Connection's staff to test their skills, and to prove the quantity and quality of their knowledge at the end of the Apprenticeship.
The 12 days of customized instruction will be Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays 9am - 4pm during the 6 months, except for Holidays and the Week long class already scheduled in that month. There will be "homework" of projects, crafts and skills practice in subjects that we mutually agree upon. FYI - Camping over is permitted during classes, but this is not a 6 month lease on a campsite. You will need to live somewhere else during the 6 months.
$3600 for the Six Month Apprenticeship Program
The Twelve Month Apprenticeship Program
Wow, you're serious. Thank you! For our 12 Month Apprenticeship, students will be automatically enrolled in any regularly scheduled weekend and weeklong classes during the 12 months, which MUST be consecutive months. We start at the first of one month, and run until the end of 12 months for this option. During the apprenticeship students will receive 2 days of customized instruction with Tim MacWelch each month, to the total of 24 days of training. Near the end of the 12 months, the Apprentice will go on a primitive "campout" with at least one member of Earth Connection's staff to test their skills, and to prove the quantity and quality of their knowledge at the end of the Apprenticeship.
The 24 days of customized instruction will be Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays 9am - 4pm during the 12 months, except for Holidays and the Week long class already scheduled in that month. There will be "homework" of projects, crafts and skills practice in subjects that we mutually agree upon. FYI - Camping over is permitted during classes, but this is not a 12 month lease on a campsite. You will need to live somewhere else during the 12 months.
$7000 for the Twelve Month Apprenticeship Program
To Apply for our Apprentice Program
Complete an Earth Connection class application so that we have all your information, and produce a 5 minute or more DVD or VHS tape introducing yourself and explaining the following:
- Why you want to do this Apprentice Program?
- What you plan to do with this knowledge and these skills?
- Why you selected our Apprentice Program, and which type Apprenticeship?
- How you plan to treat Earth Connection's land?
- How do you work and play with others?
- How would you feel about a Background Check?
- Do you do drugs? We reserve the right to administer a drug test if we feel necessary upon your arrival. Do not apply for apprenticeship if you do drugs.
- A little bit about yourself, likes, dislikes, hobbies, who's your family, what they think of all this, and anything else you wish to tell us.
You may take longer than 5 minutes if you like. The DVD or tape will only be viewed by School Instructors. Please mail the completed application form and video to our Earth Connection Virginia PO Box. If we approve your application, you will be contacted with the next steps to begin your Apprentice Program. Earth Connection does not discriminate against any color, creed or gender - but NOT ALL applicants will be accepted. Multiple Apprentices may be accepted for any given time period / month. Earth Connection enforces a strict no drugs, firearms, or pets policy during the apprenticeship period. Please contact us if you have any questions.