Our Fall-Spring Programs thrive on providing students with hands-on immersion experiences. With an instructor to student ratio of 7-to-1 and a wide variety of natural communities nearby we are able to create a learning environment which fosters each students innate curiosity for nature.

This program aims at the best of both worlds. Part of our time will be focused on developing our primitive skills including fire by friction, bow and arrow making, basketry, primitive musical instruments, traps, bowl burning, tanning hides, and more. When not working on our skills we will be wandering through the woods tracking animals, learning wild edible plants, building shelters, exploring creeks, and increasing our awareness through play.

• When: 10 sessions, every other Saturday, January 20 - June 2, 9am-2pm
• Where: Drop off and Pick-up at The Riekes Center in Menlo Park
• Who: 9 - 13 year olds
• Cost: $700, Partial scholarships are available according to student needs
• Instructor: Mark Batcheler
• PROGRAM CURRENTLY FULL. To be added to the waiting list, contact Ken Clarkson, Nature Awareness Program Director, kclarkson@riekes.org, 650-823-4346

Have you ever dreamt of making your own bow and arrowhead? Now is your chance. Join us for a weekend workshop where you will learn this ancient art. Renowned bow maker and primitive technology expert Joe Dabill will be instructing this course. Registration cost will include all materials needed to make your own long bow and arrow points. This is one of our most popular workshops. Space is limited to 15.

• Who: Adults, teens and preteens accompanied by an adult
• When: October 27th - 28th, 9am - 4pm. Saturday (Bow Making) and Sunday (Flint Knapping).
• Where: Monte Toyon Camp, Aptos CA (near Santa Cruz)
• Cost: Bow Making $140, Flint Knapping $85, Both $190
• To Register: Send an application and registration fee to Ken Clarkson, Riekes Center, 3455 Edison Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025. Nature Awareness Applications can be downloaded here. For more information call Ken, 650-823-4346.