About
the Gathering
In 2005, BOSS created a primitive skills rendezvous called the Slickrock
Gathering at its field school in Boulder, Utah. The 6th Annual Slickrock
Gathering takes place on BOSS’s 41 acres of land in beautiful Boulder,
Utah from May 16 - 22, 2010.
Course Content - Slickrock Pathways
At the Slickrock Gathering,
BOSS offers distinct "Pathways" for learning, giving you the
opportunity to focus on a specific interest under the guidance of expert
instruction. Our hope is that this makes your time with us more valuable,
as you can truly learn something in depth during your week. Pathways are "A
to Z"
in nature, offering a complete course in each subject from start to finish.
So each student will be able to collect the raw materials (when feasible),
process them into finished materials and then produce usable tools, clothing
or food by the end of the Pathway.
Throughout the process,
each student will be producing tools pertinent to his or her particular
pathway. For example, a student in the Pottery will begin with harvesting
the clay, then learning about shape and design, finally moving on to firing
their creation. It's a complete lesson in the skill, requiring no prerequisite
other than the desire to be completely immersed in the process during the
Gathering.
Pathways will change
with each Gathering, offering you the opportunity to refine and build
on your skills each year – so we hope you will keep coming back for
this event.
2010
PATHWAYS INCLUDE:
Code:
G6-FK |
FLINTKNAPPING |
| |
Instructor: Greg
Nunn |
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Class
Limit: 10 Students |
|
Turning a piece of rock into a cutting edge is one
of the oldest primitive skills on our planet. On the Flintknapping
Pathway, instructor Gregg Nunn will teach students how to find quality,
usable stone, how to treat the stone, how to knap the stone, and finally
how to haft the blade to create a functional and hopefully beautiful
cutting tool. Students will also make their own set of tools for Flintknapping.
Once the tools have been made, students will learn how stone blades
work, how they compare with steel blades, and what the advantages/disadvantages
are of each. |
|
|
Code:
G6-PP |
PRIMITIVE POTTERY |
| |
Instructor: John
Olsen |
| |
Class Limit:
10 Students |
|
In many villages,
cooking, water transport, and food storage could not be done without
expertly made clay vessels. On the Primitive Pottery Pathway, instructor
John Olsen will teach students the various aspects of pottery, from
collecting the raw clay, to processing the clay, to making clay vessels,
to firing them in an open fire. Pre-processed clay will be available
for each student to work while the raw clay is being prepared for use.
Two firings will be done: one instructor-guided and one student-guided.
Each student will complete the Pathway with the tools necessary for
producing pottery and products from the two firings. |
| |
|
|
HIDETANNING
(BRAINTANNING BUCKSKIN) |
| |
Instructor: Doug
"Digger" Crist |
|
Class
Limit: 10 Students |
|
Of
all the materials that traditional cultures used to clothe themselves,
few are as beautiful, resilient, or comfortable as brain-tanned buckskin.
On the Hidetanning Pathway, instructor Doug "Digger" Crist
will teach students the process and the art of turning deer hides
into buckskin and rawhide using hide scrapers, bone awls, and a variety
of other tools. Each student will then use his or her finished products
to produce a piece of clothing, moccasins, a pouch, or a variety
of rawhide objects. Sewing the final pieces will be taught with buckskin
lacing or sinew. Our goal is to teach you how to turn animal hides
into functional -- and fashionable -- clothing and accessory items. |
| |
|
Code:
G6-WB |
WHOLE
SHOOT WILLOW BASKETRY |
| |
Instructor: Erin
Adams |
| |
Class Limit:
10 Students |
|
While clay pots
may be great for cooking and holding water, they are often heavy and
can break. For these reasons, baskets are often a better option for
transport and storage needs. On the Whole Shoot Willow Basketry Pathway,
instructor Erin Adams will teach students how to make basketry tools,
gather willow, and prepare dried willow for weaving. Various weaves
-- including Slewing, English, and French Randing -- as well as borders
will be explored. Like all other Pathways, there are no prerequisites
to take this course -- just come ready to learn, as you will have time
to create and complete multiple baskets under Erin's guidance during
the week. |
|
|
Code:
G6-BM |
BOW MAKING |
| |
Instructor: Aram
Barsch |
| |
Class
Limit: 6 Students |
|
|
Few primitive weapons carry the
power and the prestige of the bow. On the Bow Making Pathway, instructor
Aram Barsch will teach students the art of turning a simple stave of
wood into a beautiful, functional bow. This process will include layout,
tillering and reflexing (if desired). Of course, a bow's function is
as important as its form, so students will test their bows on BOSS's
archery range to fine-tune their bow-making and bow-shooting skills.
As Aram is an experienced hunting guide, students will also learn various
shooting techniques, including how to tune your arrows to your bow.
Please note that there is an additional $100 materials
fee on the Bow Making Pathway to cover the cost of the stave. |
Registration
If you are interested in joining
us for the Slickrock Gathering, or you would like more information
sent to you via e-mail, please contact Jenny
Stein
or call (800) 335-7404 / (303) 444-9779.
Evening
Entertainment
Evenings will provide
many opportunities for music, storytelling, trade-blankets, games and other
activities. We encourage people to bring instruments, trade items, and unique
talents to the Gathering.
2010
Dates & Prices
Tuition includes all
instruction and materials*, camping on property (bring your own tent),
and two meals per day (breakfast and dinner). No RV campers are allowed
on the property, water
& electricity hook-ups are available at an RV parking lot just a few
minutes walk from the property (additional fee required).
*Please note that there is an additional $100 materials
fee on the Bow Making Pathway to cover the cost of the stave.
Course dates and prices
are subject to change. Space is limited on each course, and registrations
are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Please go to the Registration
page for more information.