General
Noble Elias de Birton (they/them) has been the organizer for the Forestry Activities at LEAFS. They are the point of contact (POC) for Forestry on Saturday. Křišťan Věstonice is the Point of Contact for Foresters on Friday of LEAFS.
To help coordinate the Kingdom of Atlantia’s Royal Forestry Guild activities at LEAFS, Noble Elias created this Facebook event. You can learn more about KARFG on their website or on their Facebook Page.
Patuxent River Park is a scenic site, with wooded trails as well as open fields. There is the river nearby, as well as streams nestled in the hills. This would be a great site to lead a saunter, teach a class over a fire, introduce a special interest topic, coordinate a craft, or whatever else you can dream of!
Forestry Classes & Schedule
The priority deadline for class submissions has passed, HOWEVER we are still accepting class and activity proposals which we will schedule around existing classes and activities.
Weed Walk
Alex of Black Dragons
Friday, 3:15pm-5:30pm
Saturday, 3:15pm-4:15pm (with Saunter Vert)
Park Trails
Join Alex of Black Dragons for a gentle walk to identity our local plants and trees (and maybe a few small creatures along the way). This walk will be heavily botany-focused, so we may end up not traveling very far at all as we take time to truly look and explore all that is around us. Class size is best for 10-15 people. Class is expected to last 1-2 hours (folks are welcome to join in late or leave early if needed).
Making a Braided Sling
Dame Dealla Cohen
Friday, 4:30pm-5:30pm
Forestry Classroom
This class will show participants how to make a braided sling. This class is hands on, and materials will be provided for up to 5 students. Others are free to observe.
Pine Needle Baskets
Noble Bronwyn Skirlagh
Saturday, 10:15am-12:15pm
Forestry Classroom
Noble Bronwyn will teach the basics of building a Pine Needle Basket. Attendees, please bring a sewing kit of several strong needles of different sizes, very strong thread any color, wax for thread, a pair of small pliers, a pair of scissors, and a dish towel or small cloth you don’t care if it gets stained. There is a $5.00 fee for handout and materials. I will provide the pine needles, a gauge, and handout. Class limited to 16 students.
Saunter Gules & Azure (Red and Blue Trail Saunter)
Noble Elias de Birton
Saturday, 10:15am-12:15pm
Park Trails
Red to Blue trail saunter (~3 miles) – Looking to get away from the bustle of the event for a bit or put some miles on your shoes? This loop trail (red-blue/red-blue-green/blue-green) is mostly flat, but has a clay-heavy surface that may be slippery in spots and there are some elevation changes around the creek crossings. Participants should wear garb and shoes they feel comfortable walking in for about one-and-a-half to two hours.
Leathercare 101
Lady Þóra Hrafnsdóttir
Saturday, 2:00pm-3:00pm
Forestry Classroom
Basic leather care for armor, garb, and more. Cleaning, conditioning, and basic evaluation.
Leathercare 102
Lady Þóra Hrafnsdóttir
Saturday, 3:15pm-4:15pm
Forestry Classroom
Stitching, glueing, using rivets; students are welcome to bring their problem pieces and Thora will do her best to help!
Saunter Vert (Green Trail Saunter) with Weed Walk
Noble Elias de Birton & Alex of Black Dragons
Saturday, 3:15pm-4:15pm
Park Trails
(>2 miles) – Give hiking in garb (or “sauntering’) a try with a short out-and-back walk along the southern part of Patuxent River Park’s green trail. This trail stays close to the event site and even has a bench at the turn-around point. It may get muddy, but it is relatively flat and the loamy soil should not get very slippery. This might be a good chance to try hiking in turnshoes (for those so inclined), but comfort and safety should be prioritized!
Forest Commons and Land use in Spain
Isabel de Tarragona
Saturday, 4:30pm-5:30pm
Forestry Classroom
You may be familiar with the British “tragedy of the commons,” but Spain has an entirely different story to tell. We’ll dive into the Iberian forest commons and key changes in land use such as occurred during the Reconquista.
Fire Making/Fire-Starting (with Bonus Bardic!)
Finn Lachlannach Ui’Domnaill (Finn the Swede)
Saturday, 4:30pm-5:30pm
Park Trails
Learn to build and start a fire using flint and steel. Once we have a fire going, we will cook our evening meal (food provided by instructor). Class limited to 7 students.
During the second half of the class, Lady Anubh de Mona will host a Bardic Circle around the fire the students have made.
Useful Knots
Lady Teleri the Well-Prepared
Sunday, 9:00am-10:00am
Forestry Classroom
Lady Teleri will teach some knots useful for setting up tarps, keeping blankets rolled up, running a clothesline, etc. Half-hitches (two ways), lark’s head, slipknot, square knot, taut-line hitch. Practice rope provided but BYO if you want to take your tied knots home. Class size is limited to 10 people.