Integral Awareness Training Series (IATS)

OFFERED: October 2007 – July 2008 on selected Saturdays

NEXT SESSION: June 14
INSTRUCTORS: Nathan Meffert, Josh Lane, Nicole Young , Jon Young and other special guests of the Shikari Tracking Guild

LOCATION: Pescadero (on second Saturday’s of every month) and Bolinas (future dates to be announced)

Explore the wildlife and natural history of the coast, landscapes through the perspective of holistic tracking and awareness. Routines of sensory awareness and observation skills that foster a deep and powerful relationship with place will be emphasized.
Every class will be an exploration into the 8 Shields Model of Holistic Tracking and Awareness. The following aspects of Integral Awareness will be explored over the course of the year:

• Knowledge of Place
• Shikari Tracker Training Program methodology
• Storytelling
• A chance to contribute to long term wildlife monitoring projects
• Exploring human relationships to wild places
• Field techniques
• Understanding the secret language of the birds
• The natural history of Coastal California
• Following animal trails and interpreting behavior
• Basic and advanced track and sign identification
• Sensory awareness and the quiet mind
• Artistic sensibility in tracking
• The importance of cultivating creativity
• Developing the beginner’s mind in tracking
• “The Curiosity of the Fox”/reawakening childlike joy and wonder
• Using imitation to increase knowledge and understanding of nature
• Seeing through the eyes of a tracker
• Experience the power of immersion in a community-based mentoring model

Participants should be prepared for ANY weather condition, and should be in adequate physical shape for hiking and observational sits on the land. Also, be sure to bring a lunch. If you wish to stay overnight and participate in the Bay Area Tracking Club on Sunday, camping in the local area can be arranged at Butano State Park. Be sure to call ahead to the State Park to make reservations.

A series of ten classes are scheduled in Pescadero on the second Saturday of every month. The course curriculum is structured so that participants will build on their knowledge and experience with every class meeting.

Those who would like to get an introductory experience with this training may attend up to two classes. Otherwise, the course is limited to full-time participants. Returning students, please see below for intermediate and advanced training options.

Thoughts from 2006-07 Class Members:

“The Integral Awareness Training Series is an immersion course into the world of tracking that pushes the edges of knowledge for everyone; from the beginner to the most seasoned of trackers. After taking the class I feel quite honest in saying that I learned more about tracking in this course than I have in the last four years of wildlife tracking. The real power in this course is not the transfer of knowledge but the culture in which it is taught.”

--Mark Batcheler, Returning Student 2006-2007

“The Integral Awareness Training Series is a highly unique course in tracking and nature awareness that will bring anyone into a deeper relationship with Nature. This course covers all the skills, techniques and awareness that make a well-rounded tracker. IATS seeks to build a community of skilled trackers who bring their whole being and reverence for Nature to the process. I feel that this course is part of my path into a new livelihood. IATS is a dynamic course that becomes stronger and more exciting every year.”

--John Brossard, Returning Student 2006-2007

DATES & TIMES

Dates for IATS meetings in Pescadero:

October 13th
November 10th
December 8th
January 12th
February 9th
March 8th
April 12th
May 10th
June 14th
July 12th

Note: Bay Area Tracking Club meets the Sundays following each of these.

Meeting Times:

Pescadero Tracking Club events are free and meet on the following Sundays as follows:

Also, check out Marin County Tracking Club in Pt Reyes!

Directions to all sites will be provided with registration.

CAMPING OPTION IN PESCADERO

Both walk-in and drive-in camp sites are available year round at nearby Butano State Park. For more information on camping at Butano, please visit http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=536 .

COURSE FEES

First Year Students
$1250 for 10 class series in Pescadero
$135 “drop-in” rate per individual class (limit of 2 per person) – register at least 2 weeks in advance.

Returning Students
Returning IATS students should contact the instructors for more information prior to registration by emailing: awareness at regenerativedesign.org. Please let us know if you intend to join us again this year, and we will discuss your participation as an intermediate or advanced student (this varies with personal tracking experience and “dirt time” in the field).

$1000 for 10 class series in Pescadero for Intermediate Students
$900 for 10 class series in Pescadero for Advanced Students

REGISTRATION
Register on-line and pay via credit card or register and pay via check by downloading this form and sending it in via the mail. Please note that registration for individual classes must be made 2-weeks in advance.

CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY
Refunds requests for drop-in classes made at least 14 days before start date will be made, minus a $50 processing fee. No refunds or credits will be made for missed classes.