The Way of the Woods: Land Knowledge and Traditional Hand Crafts

Dates: 4-11-26 runs until 9-13-26

Hours: See below…

Deposit: $500

Remainder:  $1500

Full Tuition: $2000

Early Bird Discount:

-$200 if enrolled by 12-15-25

Ages: 18 & Up.

Camping, Directions and Logistics

Register Here

Landscapes have defined human cultures for thousands of years. Our ancestors knew the plants and trees, could find water, navigate a mountain, and make useful objects from the landscape. In modern times, many of us have disconnected from the land, seeing only the wall of green between us and the natural world. In this class we will explore the skills of identifying, understanding, and navigating the natural world around us. With this foundation we will apply our skills through Naturalist skills, wilderness navigation and forest crafts. 

This year we will be joined by Brad Salon teaching wildlife tracking and Dan Farrell teaching herbaceous plant ID and natural communities. 

All skill levels welcome.

2026 Schedule

Classes start at 10AM on the first day and go till 4 PM on the last day. During full class days we start at 9AM  and workshops and activities will go until after dinner most nights.

Tree ID by buds and bark, Journal making, keeping a naturalist Journal: Field Notes

 April 11-12

Tree Planting, Pollination, Land Nav 1, Natural History: Mountains of New England.

 May 16-17

Herbaceous plants and natural communities with Dan Farrell, Leaf Morphology, Bark Harvesting, Naturalist Journal: Species accounts

 June 20-21

Land Nav 2, Carve a spatula, Natural History of New England: Glaciers and What They Left Behind, Night hike.

 July 18-19

Human land use history, Plaited bark containers, Tracking the landscape, Knife Sheaths

 August 29-30

Apple pressing, home brewing, Seed stratification, Fall adaptations, Tree pathogens.

 September 12-13

Course Curriculum

In this spring to fall program students will learn the following:

  • Tracking With Brad Salon
  • Natural Communities and Herbacious plants with Dan Farrell 
  • Tree ID by Leaf, Bud, and Bark
  • Learn to keep a naturalist Journal
  • Natural History of New England
  • Land Use History of New England
  • Learn to navigate at night with map, compass, and GPS.
  • Apple Pressing
  • Tree Seed Saving, Planting, and Growing
  • Wooden Spatula Carving
  • Bark Container Making
  • Journal/Notebook Making
  • Make Your Own Knife Sheath

Weekends include a day on the Roots School campus and a day off property learning from other landscapes. Students must provide their own transport to and from secondary locations as well as bring a packed lunch for those days away from Roots.

When on the Roots campus students will have access to the outdoor kitchen space for preparing their meals and freezing icepacks for coolers.

Payment Information

Tuition: Tuition is  $2300 total, broken into a Deposit and Tuition.  There are three payment options for this program to be chosen during enrollment:                           
Option 1: Pay the Deposit and Tuition in full at Enrollment.
Option 2:  Pay the Deposit at Enrollment and then pay the Tuition on the first day of the program, either automatically with your card or through check or cash.   
Option 3: Pay the Deposit at Enrollment and then pay the remainder split up on the first of each month from when you enroll until August 1st.                                          
Early Bird Discount: To receive the Early Bird discount you must be Enrolled before  December 15th.
Payment Plan Policy: Please know that if you sign up for a payment plan and drop out midway through the course you are still responsible for the remainder of your balance. If you do not complete your payments on schedule late fees will be assessed.  

Refund Policy: Tuition, minus the deposit is refundable up to one month before the beginning of the program.

Grants: Qualifying Vermont residents may apply for Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, (VSAC) Advancement Grants (Previously non-degree grants.) Be aware that VSAC begins its funding cycle in June and January of each year and awards grants on a first-come-first-serve basis while funds last. Please apply early!  Students who apply for VSAC grants are asked to submit a non-refundable deposit with your registration form. When the grant is issued at the start of the program, we will refund whatever amount of your deposit is in excess of the tuition.  VSAC application forms may be obtained from Vermont Student Assistance Corporation: 1-800-882-4166.