Tom's Monthly Newsletter: June 2008

Hey Folks!

Well we’re back in the Pines and heading full-throttle into some epic one-time classes, so I hope you’re ready for a thrill ride!

I want to start by pseudo-apologizing to all the folks who did not get into the May “Standard”, and the May/June “Advanced Standard” and “Advanced Tracking & Awareness” back-to-back.  I say “pseudo” because, truly I’m sorry that more than 25 of you didn’t get in to these classes, but on the other hand, in order to maintain the quality of each course we must enforce class-size limits.  

I allow into each class, as many people as I can realistically touch and stay in-tune with. As you know by now, our classes are pretty heads-down, and I need to know that at least most of you are “getting it.” Sort of my own survivalist take on the U.S. Public School policy: “No Tracker left behind.”

With that in mind, we’ve got some awesome classes coming up over the next several months, including a couple that I’m very excited about: “Scout Psychological Warfare” in July, and “The Art of Storytelling” in August.  Check out the schedule and if you see something you feel directed to take – my advice is to register as soon as possible. As I’ve said before, with more than 80 classes on our schedule and my need to get as much information out as possible, I simply won’t be repeating any of these for several years, if ever.

Celeste and I are really enjoying our time with you, now that we’re here at camp, full-time. Once school lets out, I am delighted that our four youngest children will be with us here as well.  Meanwhile, Celeste tells me that each of you have made her feel so welcome; I can’t tell you how much that means to me, thank you. 

Speaking of Celeste; she is now fully in charge of the Tracker School Store here at camp. She’s bringing back many of your old favorites and adding several very cool new Tracker items to our inventory. Stop over and say hello and check things out. I’m sure you’ll be hearing more from Celeste soon as well.

Before I close, I want to thank one more very important group of people, and they are all of the amazing Medicine Waters folks who are working so hard to raise the $3,000,000 that we need to purchase and protect the Pine Barrens.

For more than 40 years, my dream has been to buy-up every acre of wilderness that we can, starting with our beloved Pines. Ultimately, my Vision is to create a “Living Museum” on this land in which caretakers and their families would live the ancient skills – 24/7.  I see school children, scouting groups, mothers and fathers, all coming to behold what man can do in partnership with Earth Mother – so that their spirits can recall what is our innate birthright; to live with the land – not apart from it. So, if you feel the call, please get involved and do whatever you can to help Medicine Waters in this campaign. Get the word out. Let’s raise funds and awareness!

I thank all of you for helping us to buy back the land and create a place in which we flourish by taking only what we need, and then by giving back, for the next generation - and the one beyond that.  As Coyote Thunder said all those years ago – indeed this cause is for a “grander purpose” because “We are the Caretakers.

BTW – Keep an eye out for the 2009 Tracker School Schedule which will be on-line later this month and will include some spectacular new offerings, including a 20-student trip to Belize, and for all you “old-timers” - Philosophy 8!

All Good Medicine,