Recently in Classes/Events Category
April 23, 2008 10:34 PM
YOUR BACKPACK-DON'T JUST STUFF IT-USE IT!
I spent last Sunday in one of Steven Knopp's classes. This day he was teaching about emergency backpacks, 'marching' backpacks, fire making, a little bit about tracking, a little bit about edible wild plants, a little bit about SO much. Talk about download! It was fantastic. He's an excellent teacher, so present and clear, and is filled with reams of knowledge from his life's experiences. I went home absolutely exhausted and fulfilled.
I learned so many things, but want to focus on the backpack part for now. It's a lesson in, TEST IT BEFORE YOU NEED IT. I had an emergency backpack in my car which had some necessary things in it. I knew it wasn't complete, so when it came time to take the class I added a few more things so I'd be better prepared. That morning I put in some food I'd need to cook over an open fire, some snacks, water, etc. When I went to put the pack on it wouldn't go on! The straps were too short! I knew this wasn't a great backpack, and had planned to get a really good one some day down the line. But not to be able to put it on was a shock. So after all the careful placing of this and that item, in this and that compartment, I emptied it all out and found another old backpack to stuff things in, and off I went.
I don't care what kind of list you've found telling you what items to have in your pack, until you see it all laid out in front of you, and until you actually put the pack on with the stuff in it and go on an adventure to use it, you won't know if it's adequate, or how you would arrange it differently, or what you would add or subtract from it. What's in your pack, and do you know how to use what's in it? So test it out. Make a fire. Do you have everything? You won't know until you make it. Cook your meal on the fire. Do you have everything? Or did you forget a container for water, or an eating utensil, or something to pick up a hot pan from the fire? Have to go to the bathroom? What did you bring for that?
AND, what kind of shape are you in to carry a pack through the forest, for example, or walk for long distances if you had to? I was humbled by its weight, and I hadn't even included many very necessary items for a 3 day survival situation. We didn't even go far and I was huffing and puffing, not to mention when I'd bend down to get under a low hanging branch and fall over because my body wasn't used to the weight! (Lots of laughter lying sideways in the swamp). This may not be your story, but don't think that you can just throw things in a bag and walk for your life. Your focus better be super powerful to overcome the physical challenge. Meanwhile, I've decided to wear my pack during my morning walk a few times a week.
I'll tell you more about what else I learned another time. If you live in this area, give Steven Knopp a call 360-458-6777 x 228 or email him at flyertreetop@yahoo.com to find out when his next classes are in wilderness survival, emergency backpacks, fire making, bow making, self-defense, and on and on. You won't regret it. Click here for Steven's Bio. He's one of our experts from the Weekly (more like random) Wisdom Forum.
April 5, 2008 10:17 PM
PREPAREDNESS EXPO
April 12-13 from 8:30 - 5:00 at
And make sure you connect with Babes in Belts, a valuable resource during these ever changing times.
November 1, 2007 1:24 PM
Join me for this very important workshop!
Self -Defense for Women-Being Prepared in Mind and Body
2 Day Workshop November 17th & 18th 9am - 4pm
Be prepared for all kinds of physical dangers in life, whether it is an aggressive person, an emergency situation, a dangerous animal, a riot in a crowd event, etc.
Intent and Purpose: To provide women with knowledge and options to minimize fear, and any likelihood of attracting aggression into their lives, now and in the days to come. When we are prepared, we are less fearful and more empowered.
Some of the Topics Covered:
v Tactical Thinking and Strategies
v Your Personal Sphere
v Rolls and Falls (particularly helpful for women later in life)
v Autonomic Nervous System and Body Targets
v Techniques of Self Defense
v Improvised and Expedient Weapons of Self-Defense (common every day items)
THIS IS AN EXPERIENTIAL WORKSHOP AND REQUIRES YOUR FULL PARTICIPATION -MIND AND BODY!
Taught by Steven Knopp, a gifted teacher who brings a unique combination of many years of training and practice in the martial arts, extensive experience as a wilderness guide, preparedness consultant, and teacher of primitive technologies and survival skills.
Cost: $100 for two full days. For women 11 years of age and older.
$50 Pre-registration required to reserve your space.
Call 360-458-6777 x228 or email: flyertreetop@yahoo.com for more information.
To pre-register, send $50 payable to: Steven Knopp P.O. Box 7530, PMB # 24,
One Day Option: Although this is intended to be a complete two day workshop, there is an option of doing Day One for those unable to attend both days.
