September 21 . October 19 . November 23
9:30 am - 2:30 pm
Honeybee Homestead
McDonalds Corners, ON
“I just signed them both up for the whole series. They are both super excited to attend!”
The Youth Fall Series is for the creative and expressive young person who likes to get out on the land for adventures and build skills.
The series is designed to have youth channel their energy and creativity in a space where they are themselves, with a balance of self-sufficiency and cooperative activities and hard and soft skills - from learning to navigate in the forest, setting a foundation for hunting to practicing socializing with new peers.
Days may be spent on the land with field guides, figuring out a wilderness challenge, creating art in and from nature or preparing a snack or a hot drink over a fire. There is a mix of structured and unstructured activities.
Generally, days will be filled with cooperative projects, multisensory activities, creative focus time, skill building and time to connect with peers.
Youth can exercise their strengths while building new skills in a supportive environment where all voices and experiences can be heard and shared.
It's a co-creative space between participants and mentors, where youth have a choice in how they spend their days while focusing on wilderness and arts-based activities, group connection and establishing a healthy co-existence with the natural world.
The series will gently encourage self expression and acceptance through dynamic, emergent, multi-sensory and exciting hands-on experiences.
Fall Activities:
cordage (identifying and harvesting plants to process fibers and making cordage)
explore the forest through the lens of hunting (observing and learning animal behaviour, camouflage, environmental factors like the wind, etc)
food security and preparedness (harvesting, cooking over a fire, discussing food storage and preservation).
“When are the next two days? I’m going to ask my mom to sign me up!”
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Process over outcome
Whether building a skill or diving into a creative endeavour our focus is on process over a goal, result or outcome. The focus is on making progress and improving our skills, without worrying too much about the end result. It reduces pressure, increases resilience, improves learning, greater satisfaction and builds confidence.
Beginners Mindset
Looking at the world with fresh eyes, and eagerness to explore and discover is a big part of the experience. Being open, curious, and willing to learn new ideas, experiences and perspectives without judgment allows endless possibilities to reveal themselves.
Unplug to plug in
Time at The Homestead will offer youth time to unplug from electronics to plug in and immerse themselves in creativity, skill building, nature and community. The focus is on exploring their own desires and interests, building relational skills and trying new things!
Co-creative collaborative
The focus is on creativity and building healthy coexistence with the natural world. How that comes to fruition has everything to do with who is participating. Everyone’s ideas, perspectives, experiences and interests influence how the week will come together, as it's a co-creative and collaborative process. Everyone matters and we can't wait to see what is co-created!
Register for Youth Fall Series 2024
Youth have to chance to…
Engage in an enriching outdoor setting
Co-learn and collaborate to foster freedom to explore nature
Expand knowledge, enhance preparedness, and cultivate outdoor and life skills
Be immersed in experiential learning where their interests guide the way
Build confidence and increase resilience through trial and error
Strengthen positive relationships with nature, peers and adults.
Practice in-person social skills
Be in community and improve overall well-being
Registration Details
Saturday, September 21 | 9:30am - 2:30 pm
Saturday, October 19 | 9:30am - 2:30 pm
Saturday, November 23 | 9:30am - 2:30 pm
3-session series @ $150 per youth
OR $55 per youth/drop-in
Registration is required
Pack snacks, a lunch and a water bottle
Dress appropriately for the weather
Registration is OPEN
WHO WE ARE
Melissa Cornacchia
Melissa is the Honeybee of the Homestead. Artist and child at heart, she is a homesteader, folk herbalist, forager, naturalist, farm hand and dancer, sharing her love for nature and creativity fuels her passion to gather people to learn and create in community through shared experiences.
jess paquette
Jess is happiest in the forest with a sketchbook, pocket microscope and a fine tip pen, maybe some colours. She’s been teaching children and recently adults in the world of Arts and Nature for the last decade or so. She approaches life with joyful curiosity and the desire to examine and delight in the fine details.
Do you have questions before signing up? Connect with us here
Fall Activities for Kids
Fall PA Days
Kids 5-10 years old October 25 + November 22
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