Read on to fall in love with the SkyEarth Gathering and make plans to join us in October 2021. Follow along on the adventure by Liking us on Facebook and Instagram and share us with your friends.
Classes will take place October 8 - 11, 2021, but camp orientation begins the day before on October 7.
Teachers and artisans in primitive technology are invited to attend these gatherings to share ideas and methods as well as spread the arts through hands-on workshops. You can expect skills instruction from some of the nation's top primitive technologists and artisans.
Classes are held from roughly 9am to 4pm daily. Lecture/Discussion Sessions are information-oriented and each covers a broad subject. Demonstrations are how-to presentations with some practical instruction. Hands-On classes provide you with the instruction needed to actually complete a project or practice a new skill.
How it starts...We encourage attendees to arrive no later than 12pm on Thursday, October 7, 2021 for orientation and opening circle. Check-in will take place at the gate when you arrive. The gate opens at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, the 6th, and 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, the 7th. Check-in closes at 7:00 p.m. on both days. Classes will begin Friday morning at 9am.
Thursday afternoon the instructors set up with a blanket or a table to tell you about their classes and answer any questions you might have. This is the Circle of Instructors. Some classes may have size limits so this will be where you sign up for those. Some classes may have materials fees and the instructors may collect those at this time (see below for additional information). Many classes you will just be able to show up for on the day of the class. And of course, the weather may change at any point so flexibility is the name of the game when we're outdoors. Class schedules will be posted on kiosks around main camp with dates, times, size limits, materials fees, etc.
Next will be the opening circle where we welcome you, help you orient to camp and have instructors introduce themselves. This is a great time to get to know the instructors and other campers around our SkyEarth fire pit.
Every morning we will start with Morning Announcements around the fire pit. We will remind you of the classes that are being taught and of any changes to the scheduling or class openings.
See our Classes and Instructors page for the skills available to learned from our instructors as well as a list of classes being taught at SkyEarth.
You may be asked to pay a materials fee for the materials used in your class.
Some instructors may simply ask for a donation to cover their costs. The materials fee should be just that and should not include any expense for teaching the class, however, instructors may charge for the time that it took to collect the materials.
How much can you expect to pay for materials?
A bow stave could cost over $100. A willow basket might cost between $15 and $50 in materials, depending on the size of the basket. Felt for a hat might cost $35. A hide for tanning, $15-$35. It is impossible to say how much you should bring for materials fees but $150 should be sufficient and you may not spend even a third of that. Materials fees will be posted upfront and on the schedule so you know what to expect in advance.
Bring cash as there will be no ATM's on site... or even close. Instructors don't take credit cards or checks.
Additional Costs
In 2020 we initiated our first SkyEarth Mercantile in which registrants and instructors brought goods they were interested in selling on consignment. Items ranged from $2-5 bars of handmade soap and used clothing (in excellent condition) to survival knives, handcrafted jewelry, cast iron cookware to $250 tanned deer hides. The kids even participated by putting in pieces of flint they had knapped and their ball caps.
A knife is an essential tool to almost all classes!
A good, sharp knife and sharpener are a must. Instructors and other campers will be on hand for instructions on tool use, care and maintenance. For flintknapping, tools will be available for use and for sale. If you have your own flintknapping kit be sure to bring it. Many types of knives will be available for sale at the gathering.
Some tools will be made available by the instructors; please take care of their tools and follow directions. Please make sure that they have all of their tools back before leaving a class.
SkyEarth will take place on a private, 50-acre property located approximately 45 min. south of Dallas, in the vicinity of Venus not far from Waxahachie.
SkyEarth is a drug and alcohol free event.
Our camp is a primitive site and has no RV hook-ups. Plan to camp in tents, tipis or RV’s/vehicles.
A parking area will be provided for you in an area away from tent camping. There will be tent camping (no vehicles in this area) and a large area for camping in your vehicle whether it be a VW bug, a gypsy wagon, a truck or RV. You will be able to drive your belongings in to your camp, then drive back out to parking.
Bring some type of weatherproof shelter. It is generally good weather but Biblical rains are possible. Temperatures may range from the 50’s F to the 90’s F. Common shelters are canvas wall tents and tipis, yurts, backpack tents, and even improvised shelters.
Clothing. Classes in tailoring, footwear and sewing are regular topics of interest. Bring clothing that will keep you warm, shelter you from the sun, keep you dry in the rain and tell us who you are. This is not a "clothing optional" event nor is it a "period" event.
Water. Water will be provided on site. Make sure to bring containers for hauling water to your camp site.
Light Sources. Bring a flashlight, candle lantern or kerosene lamp for your own use. Avoid bright LED lights that light more than the area intended to be lit. Headlamps that have a "red" setting are greatly appreciated as they will affect your night vision and everyone's experience in a positive way.
Toiletries. You will need to supply all of these. A solar shower may be a good idea for a mid-week rinse. Keep yourself and utensils clean. Diseases spread quickly in an unsanitary camp, so be on guard.
Fires. *No ground fires are permitted in camps. Bring a fire pan if you plan to have a fire. *Please do not gather natural firewood from the site. A central pile of wood will be provided. If you plan to burn more than a small amount of wood, please bring your own. *Do not leave charcoal or ash in campsites. Move all residue to the central fire pit.
GARBAGE
*Please take responsibility for your own trash by taking it to town or otherwise disposing of it yourself.
*The Kitchen garbage cans are for central kitchen and event organization garbage only.
Electronics. In a time where electronic devices are in most everyone's lives, we ask that you are discreet when using your cell phone and other electronics. Amplified music and electronic noise of any kind are prohibited.
Food. You will be responsible for your own meals and snacks. There will be dish washing stations available mornings and evenings. Please utilize those and maintain good hygiene.
You will need basic utensils and dishes for eating. There are no tables and chairs for mealtime, so folding furniture is a good idea. Coolers for your food items are a good idea as well. Ice is typically available at gas stations about 4 miles away.
Dogs! Service Dogs are permitted.
If you aren't sure whether or not you have a service dog........ you don't.
Folks with dogs that are not service animals: If they cannot leave the dog behind for this gathering will be asked to camp together away from other campers. If your dog is aggressive in any way or barks to the point of annoying anyone else or gets loose, then it will have to leave the entire property immediately and not return. No refunds will be offered. Dogs must stay at your campsite. They cannot be loose or outside of the designated dog camp area, Ever. Period. Again, no refunds will be available. Know your dog. Be considerate of other people.
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