CREATIVE RETREAT WORKSHOPS & TOURS

“Educating and Inspiring People to Find Meaning in Their Lives Through Art, Food, & Philosophy”

HOMESTEADING WORKSHOP

In this workshop, you will tour the homestead, home, shop, studio, blacksmith shop, greenhouse, solar system, water well, etc., and walk the property talking about permaculture and plans. You’ll learn how the Jacobsons planned and executed the homestead from start to finish. This includes a class that reviews major costs and “what to watch out for” when starting to plan to buy land and build a homestead. This course will cover self-sufficiency, operating a greenhouse, harvesting food, running a solar system, running a water well and rain catchment systems, raising chickens, and beekeeping.

19th CENTURY PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES WORKSHOPS

We offer several different workshops in 19th-century photography. You can select separate courses or build your own custom workshop. These last from 2 to 7 days, depending on the breadth and depth of workshop(s) selected. Areas covered and workshops available are; The Wet Plate Collodion Process - Positives (Ambrotypes, Tintypes) and Negatives, P.O.P. Printing; Albumen Prints, Salt Prints, Collodio-Chloride Prints, Gelatin Chloride Prints, Carbon Prints, and Oil Prints (Rawlin's Process). As well as making Daguerreotypes, and Calotypes/Talbotypes (Paper Negatives). We also offer a short workshop in making chemistry and safely handling, disposing, and storage of chemicals as a stand-alone. 

KETOGENIC LIFESTYLE WORKSHOP - SCIENCE AND FACTS

We offer a workshop in learning how to use the Ketogenic Lifestyle for better mental health, weight loss (obesity), lowering blood sugar, reducing blood insulin, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, and for better overall mental and physical health. Learn the science and practice behind this age-old way of living and eating. People with type II diabetes can learn how to slow down or even reverse the disease. Each meal will be explained and the student will learn how to prepare the meal and track macros nutrients (percentages of each area of nutrition) and progress. They will learn how to adjust their diet to fit their needs. This course will include video lectures from Dr. Georgia Eade, a leading psychiatrist on nutrition and mental health. As well as video lectures from the leading medical doctors and nutritionists in the world. We’ll cover questions like, What is the science behind the Ketogenic Lifestyle? What is keto and what is not (food lists)? What is Intermittent Fasting (IF)? What is Autophagy? What is GKI and why should I care? How do I check blood ketone levels and blood sugar levels? What does it cost to live this lifestyle? And dispelling myths about the ketogenic diet.

BLACKSMITHING, BLADESMITHING, & KNIFE/AXE THROWING WORKSHOPS

We offer different workshops in blacksmithing, bladesmithing, and knife/axe throwing. You can select separate workshops or a single workshop. These last from 2 to 7 days, depending on the breadth and depth of workshop(s) selected. Areas covered and workshops available are; Introduction to Blacksmithing, making decorative objects; hooks, hangers, taper points, curls, etc. Advanced Blacksmithing: How to make tools; Hardie tools and tongs and basic forge welding. Introduction to Bladesmithing: How to make a knife (hunting, skinner, or a set of throwing knives). This includes fit and finish for the non-throwing knives. Advanced Bladesmithing: Making Damascus or Pattern-Welded Steel, and large blades (over 12") with fit and finish. Introduction to Knife/Axe Throwing can be included in a knife-making workshop or selected separately as a third workshop.

“MEANING IN LIFE” PHILOSOPHY WORKSHOP (CLASSROOM)

We offer a workshop in the study of philosophy and psychology; based on, or in, eudaimonia (a path to well-being) or happiness and how to find meaning in your life. We give an overview of some of the best knowledge gained over the past 3000 years, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, etc. we explore what it means to “live a good life”. This workshop is mostly based on Dr. Clara Hill’s book, “Meaning In Life” and Dr. John Vervaeke’s Video Lectures, “Awakening From the Meaning Crisis”.

GROWING AND USING CANNABIS AS A MEDICINE WORKSHOP

Learning how to grow cannabis and how to use cannabis as a medicine (to reduce stress, lose weight, lower blood sugars, reduce blood insulin) and feel much better physically and mentally. We cover questions like, What’s the best way to grow cannabis? How should I use cannabis? What does it treat or help medically? What does the medical research show?

FIREARMS TRAINING & TARGET PRACTICE WORKSHOP

We offer workshops in both firearm safety (mandatory to shoot) and target practice. We work with handguns, rifles, and shotguns. These last one or two days, depending on the breadth and depth of course(s) selected (handguns, rifles, shotguns, or all of them).

ARCHERY TRAINING & TARGET PRACTICE WORKSHOP

We offer a workshop in archery and target practice. These are one-day workshops. Safety and handling overview is mandatory before shooting on the archery range.

FISHING WORKSHOP

Eleven Mile, Colorado If you already know how to fish or not, you will enjoy a day on Eleven Mile Reservoir. Eleven Mile and Spinney Reservoirs are two of the top trout fishing locations in the state of Colorado! Eleven Mile is home to rainbow trout, Snake River cutthroat trout, cutbows ( a cross between rainbow and cutthroat), brown trout, northern pike, yellow perch, kokanee salmon, and carp. This is a one-day workshop.

COLORADO WOLF & WILDLIFE CENTER TOUR

Colorado Wolf & Wildlife CenterThese majestic animals are so important for our future balance of nature and they are one of the most misunderstood animals alive. They have been brought on the verge of extinction through extermination in the continental US with a little more than 5,000 wolves remaining today. Our educational tours which are required first educates you about the wolf, its importance, and dispelling the old myths. The interactive part was designed so that those that can participate can have the most amazing experience. To run your fingers through their fur and a possible quick moment of looking in their eyes to capture the depth of their spirit and soul is something that you will never forget. Hopefully, when you walk out of that enclosure, you will have a better understanding of that animal and be a voice to help protect its future forever.

FLORISSANT FOSSIL BEDS HIKING & TOUR WORKSHOP

Explore hands-on exhibits and fossil displays in the visitor center and view the 14-minute Shadows of the Past movie in the visitor center. Explore outdoor exhibits (behind the visitor center) featuring massive petrified tree stumps. Take a self-guided hike on the 1/2 mile Ponderosa Loop, 1 mile Petrified Forest Loop, or 1-mile Geologic Trail. Ready for a longer hike? The Monument has 15 miles of nature trails beyond the self-guided fossil trails. Guided Activities: During the summer season, ranger-guided hikes and programs occur daily.

GUEST ARTISTS & GUEST SPEAKERS WORKSHOPS

From time to time we have guests teaching workshops, doing demonstrations, and giving talks/lectures on all of our topics. This varies from retreat to retreat. Please check with us for a particular retreat to see what, or if we have something scheduled. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

HOW TO REGISTER FOR A RETREAT - WHAT ARE THE STEPS? (COMING IN 2022!!)