Latest News, Stories + Activities
Join us here for stories from the forest, our latest news and periodic videos, and activities you can do at home.
Photo Gallery July 19-23, 2021
Another beautiful week in the woods.
Photo Gallery July 12-16
Week three flew by in a blink of sun and rain.
Crafting, Cooking, and Wilderness Connection, Week 2
A bit of extra water this week didn’t keep campers from enjoying every day to the fullest!
Summer Camp 2021 Begins!
Our first week of summer camp was a resounding success!
Primitive Pursuits Honored by Town Conservation Board
A tree planting in honor of Primitive Pursuits will take place on Sunday, May 23, 2021 at Culver Road Preserve.
Welcoming Spring 2021!
From fairy houses to banana boats, so much fun was had this warm and wonderful week!
Tagging Along with Coyote Howl
When I started this semester of college, I can’t say that I was expecting to spend a Saturday afternoon crouched in the snow, smelling the urine left behind by a fisher.
Sights and Sounds of Winter Camp 2021
Winter in the forest is full of magic. Where a few months ago leaves rustled and squirrels scampered, there now lies a white blanket, a naked tree, a sparkle in the air. If you stand in the woods in winter and just listen, what do you hear?
Homeschool December Diaries
Greetings from the 4-H Acres Forest! Thursday 12/3 with the Crows! This week the Crow flock played...
Spring Camp Fun
Kelsey Chatterton, April 23, 2017 Spring Writing Intern, Ithaca College Primitive Pursuits hosted...
Meet Primitive Pursuits Sponsor, Joe Nolan
We can’t really say enough about the organizations that put time and resources into supporting our cause. As we say on our donor page, these folks are special people!
Honoring Vulnerability
The intention for our November overnight at primitive camp were to sleep in debris shelters without sleeping bags, practice natural navigation over several miles while carrying burning coals, and to reflect on our experiences around sacred fires held by elders in the community.
Activities
Tools of Mentoring
Here are some of the tools of mentoring we use when working with young people. You can use them too.
Flaming Bundle Challenge
Fire is a wonderful teacher. This is an activity we often do, even with first-time groups. As you read this activity, identify the core routines participants would be using. What mentoring tools could you use?
Fall Recipes from the Archive
This post originally appeared on the discontinued Primitive Pursuits online ‘Wilderness Mentoring Guild’ on October 23rd, 2007.
Dandelion Harvesting
Check out this video from Sophia about how to harvest dandelions and turn them into delicious and nutritious muffins!
Harvesting Violets
Here’s another fun and informative video from Sophia on harvesting violets and turning them into vinegar, infused honey, and violet sugar! Tune in to learn how.