Wild Crafters
One of the most essential of human capabilities: To form in our mind a vision of something that doesn’t yet exist, and then use our own two hands to bring that vision into reality. This is the heart of crafting… and it’s so much fun.
So come and craft with us! During our time in the forest we’ll engage in a rich series of natural crafts while connecting deeply to the earth with lots of nature games and activities. Students will learn to harvest natural materials and use them to create beautiful and useful items.
We have lots potential crafts, which may include:
- Baskets – free-form woven honeysuckle makes a strong and beautiful container
Wet and needle felting – use wool to make neck pouches - Natural Dyes – use plants to dye silk scarves or bandanas
- Paint rocks – grind up stones found in the creek to make natural paint
- Gourd Craft – decorative fruit bowls or small eating bowls
- Bamboo craft – functional chopsticks or cups made from this amazing grass
- Pottery – beads and pinch pots fired in an open-pit campfire
- Coal Burned Wooden Spoons – use fire and blade to shape a beautiful utensil
- Flint knapping – break stone to create sharp edges to cut with
- Hafted Stone Knives or Axes – securely attach those sharp stones to wood and make an even more useful tool
The projects listed are examples, not necessarily exactly what we will do. Ultimately project selection will depend on the availability of wild resources and student interest.
Ages: 9-12
Spots Available: 4 as of 1/5/23
Time: 9:30 am - 4:15 pm
Inclusive of drop-off & pick-up window
Dates: Thursdays, March 2 - May 25
Breaks for Earthskills Rendezvous April 20
12 sessions total
For Drop-off & Pick-up and other logistics info, see below.
Price: $755
- Monthly payment plan available
- $100 non-refundable deposit due at registration
- Limited Partial Scholarships available (see below)
Registration
Registration is now closed for Spring 2023.
Why Choose Forest Floor?
We help children have fun, be healthy, and achieve their fullest potential with nature connection mentoring.
- Health benefits of nature connection
- Learn wilderness skills & traditional crafts
- Meet new friends and reunite with old ones
- Unforgettable adventures every day
- Skilled and caring mentors
- Exciting wilderness experiences
- Convenient in-town drop-off & pickup
- Boost long term cognitive & social development
Logistics
Drop-off/Pick-up Locations
All programs take place at Shope Creek Wilderness, with the exception of Blacksmithing and Heartwood: Oaks, which are based at Haw Creek Commons.
For programs occurring at Shope Creek Wilderness, parents may drop off and pickup at the program location or at Haw Creek Commons for van transportation.
For Blacksmithing and Heartwood: Oaks, parents must drop off and pickup at Haw Creek Commons.
Shope Creek Wilderness
472 Shope Creek Road, Asheville, NC
Drop-off between 9:45 am - 10:00 am
Pick-up between 3:45 pm - 4:00 pm
Haw Creek Commons
315 Old Haw Creek Road, Asheville NC
Drop-off between 9:30 am - 9:45 am
Pick-up between 4:00 pm - 4:15 pm
After Care
We are currently exploring a number of potential After Care possibilities. If you are in need of After Care to make this program work for your family, or if you would simply be strongly interested, please send us a quick email at [email protected] letting us know and we will keep you posted on our progress.
Clothing and Gear
Our programs are all-outdoors, with rain shelters available as needed. Children must arrive each morning fully prepared with a backpack, packed lunch, and clothes appropriate for being out in the weather. Families new to Forest Floor may need to purchase additional gear to ensure their children will be fully equipped for wet and colder weather as the season progresses. For a full packing and clothing list see our FAQ.
COVID-19 Cancellation Policy
A family is eligible for either: (1) a full refund if the cancellation occurs before the start of the program; or (2) a pro-rated refund for any unattended program days; under the following conditions:
Forest Floor cancels any programs due to COVID-19 or the Sars-Cov-2(novel coronavirus) pandemic.
A family needs to cancel because they are directly adversely impacted by COVID-19 (job loss, illness, or caring for sick family members).
AND in the event of cancellation (either on our part or yours)if you are in a position to donate your registration as a scholarship it would be a huge help to both Forest Floor and families in need.
Please note: Our standard cancellation & refund policy will apply for all cancellations other than the two conditions listed above. See our FAQ for details on our standard refund policy.
Scholarship Information
Overview
We offer limited partial scholarships to individuals who otherwise could not afford our programs. We prioritize scholarships for people of color and single parents with financial needs. We understand that people of color experience more financial and institutional barriers to participation, and wish to help counteract that by offering scholarships.
Donate
If you are a family with means, please consider donating to our scholarship fund. Donations of a 1/4, 1/2, or FULL scholarship can be made during the standard registration process. For more substantial donations please contact us to discuss details.
Apply
Limited partial scholarships are available. Scholarship funds are generated exclusively from generosity of donations toward the scholarship fund. Scholarships are limited to the sum of these funds and are awarded based on equitable distribution. Full scholarships will be considered for families in great need, but most scholarship applicants should expect to pay at least half of tuition.
To apply for a scholarship FIRST please register for the program/camp, choose the payment plan option, and only pay a $100 deposit at time of registration.
AFTER RESERVING A SPOT, please follow the link below to fill out the application.
If your scholarship request can't be approved or isn't the amount of discount that you need, we will provide a full refund of the deposit.