Raven's Way Traditional School: Primitive skills and nature workshops, private and custom courses, trips, demonstrations, and school programs with Vince Pinto.

RAVEN'S WAY TRADITIONAL SCHOOL (RWTS)
Near the Chiricahua Mountains, Southeastern Arizona

Primitive skills and nature workshops,
private and custom courses, trips, demonstrations, and school programs

Reconnect to your primal self along ancient and sacred paths.

Vince Pinto
RWTS
3000 West Lobo Road
Tucson, AZ 85742
520-403-5085
ravens_way@hotmail.com

About Raven's Way Traditional School

RWTS's MISSION Founded by Vince Pinto in 1994, RWTS is dedicated to teaching traditional primitive (i.e. stone-age) skills to people from all walks of life. Our main goal is to help people reconnect to nature through primal human activities. It is our hope and belief that this will nurture inner peace and respect for all Life. The way of the Raven is one of spirit, mystery, playfulness, joy, and power. Come join us in a journey of Discovery.

WHY TAKE A RWTS PROGRAM?
We feel that anyone would greatly benefit from our diverse programs. Here are a few reasons why you might think of participating:

Reconnect to nature by exploring your hunter-gatherer heritage--one we all share.
Increase your self-confidence, self-reliance skills, and group living skills in the wilderness, while leaving modern technology behind.
Deepen your awareness of and connection to plants, animals, rocks...All of Life!
Relax and enjoy the Beauty of Mother/Father Earth while having fun.
See some of the most beautiful natural areas remaining on the planet.

WHO MIGHT PARTICIPATE IN A RWTS PROGRAM? We have no real "target" group in terms of interest or age. Anyone willing to learn is welcome. In general, our programs would most benefit: Hikers, Nature Observers, People seeking Alternative ways of living, Backpackers, Artists of all kinds, Hunters and Outdoor Enthusiasts. Participants should be in reasonably good condition to get the most out of their RWTS experience.

RWTS offers meticulous attention to each student's learning style and pace. We will work with you to help make your experience unforgettable. We also provide flexible program lengths and itineraries.

WHERE DO RWTS PROGRAMS TAKE PLACE?
Although we may be willing to travel to your location, Raven's Way programs typically occur in the Southwest. Within this vast area, we generally focus our attention on Southeastern Arizona.

This area, known as the "Sky Islands", has numerous mountain ranges (islands) which soar thousands of feet above drier desert grasslands, (seas). RWTS is based in the Chiricahua Mountains near the New Mexican and Mexican Borders. The Chiricahuas are the largest mountain range of "sky islands" in Arizona and encompass over 100,000 acres of Federal wilderness. Add to this the rest of the National Forest, other Federal lands, and State lands and you have enough wild country to roam over several lifetimes!

From arid deserts to chaparral, to woodland, and up to thick spruce-fir forests dotted with meadows and nurtured by streams, the Chiricahuas have all of the life zones present in Arizona, except for tundra. Many peaks tower to over 9000 feet, topping out at 9795 feet on Chiricahua peak. Thus, while it's 90 degrees in the desert in summertime, it can easily be in the 60's or 70's in the high elevation forest. Heavy winter snow accumulations up high and mild winter weather down low are also quite common. Perennial and seasonal springs and streams run throughout the range, as do spectacular rock formations, known as "hoodoos".

Finally, the Chiricahuas are renowned for their biological diversity. Countless plants, many useful for primitive skills, grow in the range. Many of these are more typical of Mexico than of the United States. If you want to see wildlife, then this is the place. 13 species of hummingbirds, 4 species of skunk, potentially 5 species of felines (including the rare jaguar), black bear, white-tailed and mule deer, coatimundis, ringtails, roadrunners, a plethora of lizards and snakes, several species of turtle, countless beautiful and fascinating insects, and --best of all--two species of Ravens! Something to offer everyone.

RWTS's head instructor Vince Pinto owns over 50 acres in the Chiricahua foothills. His land is entirely protected with no modern developments. Instead, Vince has built a hunter-gatherer encampment using only stone-age technology. His land includes: an on-going stone pit house project, brush wickiup, shade arbor, cooking hearth, yoga/exercise area, mesquite shelter, sweat lodge, hide working area, agave baking pit, tool making area, stone dams, solo/quest hut, and a number of tent sites. The land also includes a mountain top, a 600 foot elevation change, and an archaeological site! Many RWTS classes take place on site at Vince's land. Tuition for RWTS classes is charged for time spent on Vince's land only.

Raven's Way Traditional School
2006 Class Schedule
(Exact dates will be posted one to two months prior to the beginning of each class.)
Costs include all materials, camping, and meals where indicated.
Participants can usually arrive the day before a program begins.

The Stone-age Botanist (2 days, April, 2006)
Come and wander the magnificent Chiricahua Mountains in search of its wealth of useful plants. Learn how to identify a wide variety of plants using both science and stone-age know-how. We will also collect and use a variety of plants for cordage, food, fire, medicine, and more. The promise of Winter rains may well result in a spectacular Spring wildflower bloom that you won't want to miss! Cost:80$. Location: Chiricahua Mountains

Fire by Friction (1 - 2 days, May, 2006)
See description under "Custom Workshops" Cost: $60- 1 day, $100- 2 days. Location: near Tucson, AZ.

Natural Shelters (2 days, June, 2006) )
See description under "Custom Workshops" Cost: $100 (work trade available in the form of shelter-related projects) Location:Chiricahau Mountains

Natural Hunting and Trapping (2 days, July, 2006) )
See decription under "Custom Workshops" Cost: $80 Location: Chiricahua Mountains

Wild Edible Plants (2- 3 days, August, 2006) )
See description under "Custom Workshops" Cost: $100 Location: Southeast AZ (exact location to be announced)

Wild Edible Plants II (2 days, Sept., 2006) )
Harvest and eat the bounty of Arizona's monsoon rains while wandering in the spectacular mountains. Cost: $100 Location:Chiricahua Mountains

Southwest Basketry (1 Day, Oct., 2006) )
See description under "Custom Workshops" Cost: $50 Location: Tucson, AZ

Sensory Awareness (1 day, Nov., 2006) )
See description under "Custom Workshops" Cost: $50 Location: Near Tucson, AZ

Basic Flintknapping (1 day, Dec., 2006) )
See decription under "Custom Workshops" Cost: $50 Location: To be announced

Raven's Way Traditional School Custom Workshops
(ADD $10 PER PERSON PER DAY IF YOU WANT MEALS INCLUDED)
*Classes without set dates can be scheduled and customized at your request.
Also, classes with set dates can be repeated for you- just ask!

FIRE BY FRICTION
Imagine being able to literally rub two sticks together to create the miracle of fire. After taking this workshop, you can leave the imagining behind and join the ranks of the matchless crowd. Using only stone-age tools, crafted by you during the class, you'll make and take home one or more fire-by-friction sets. You can choose from hand drill, bow drill, fire plow, fire saw, or try all of the above! Other topics covered include: primitive uses of fire, fuel selection, building effective fires, transporting fire and safety.

STONE-AGE TOOLS
Journey back to a time when all you needed came directly from the earth. Leaving all modern tools behind, you'll seek the skill and ingenuity of your hunter-gatherer ancestors as you find and create a variety of stone-age tools. Some of the items you'll make and take home may include: knife, saw, scraper, pounder, cactus brush, backpack, musical instrument, bowl, digging stick, and toothbrush. We'll also cover the art of scavenging and using our tools for a variety of primitive tasks. Once you've made tools from rock, wood, antler, and other natural sources, you'll treat these life-givers with a new-found respect.

PRIMITIVE HIDE-TANNING
Learn to turn your deer hide (we provide one) into beautiful and durable buckskin using only stone-age technology. You'll be able to use your natural leather for clothing, pouches, necklaces, a backpack, or??!

NATURAL SHELTERS
Shelter is one of our most basic human requirements. At various times we need it to protect us and our belongings from heat, cold, wind, rain, and animals. However, modern houses tend to separate us from our vital earth connections. This workshop helps you reconnect. You'll learn how to construct both solo and group shelters in desert and mountain environments using only nature's bounty. For your materials, see how stone, wood, brush, earth, and hides can be transformed into beautiful abodes, such as pit houses, wickiups, and arbors. We'll also cover basic stone tool use, site selection, and safety. Join us and discover the true meaning of home.

WILD EDIBLE PLANTS
Addressing the eternal question of "what's for dinner?" this course delves into the wonderful world of wild, edible plants. Southeastern Arizona boasts a vast array of delicious and nutritious native plants. We'll either supplement our diet with these foods or use them as our sole source of sustenance, depending upon their availability. Among the area's deserts, streams, forests and grasslands, you'll learn how to find, identify, harvest, process, eat and store a variety of plants. We'll look at a hunter-gatherer diet for the area, cover a variety of primitive cooking techniques, and discuss safely using wild edibles. During the class, you'll make a digging stick and several other plant collecting tools. By the end of the class you'll know each plant covered as a friend for life.

WILD MEDICINAL PLANTS
For years, Vince Pinto has effectively "cured what ails him" using the healing power of wild plants. Join him and learn about some of the southwest's wonderful medicines. You'll learn how to help heal colds, throat infections, upset stomach, eye inflammations, joint pain, headaches, poison ivy rashes, sunburn, diarrhea, constipation, and more. You'll also take home several medicines crafted by you during the course. Finally, we'll cover natural hygiene, including dental, skin and hair care.

SENSORY AWARENESS
In the modern world, we're bombarded daily with loud noises, mind-numbing speeds, blinding lights, and countless other sensory assaults. We need a more sensible approach to life, and this is precisely what the "Sensory Awareness" class is about. Unlearning some of our modern tendencies, we return to our natural ways of moving, breathing, seeing, touching, tasting, smelling, hearing, and being whole with our natural environment. Through a series of group and solo exercises and experiences you will touch base with your senses in a most primal fashion.

NATURAL ROPE-MAKING
Though we may take it for granted, rope has been and continues to be a vital link in human societies, especially hunter-gatherer ones. Rope can be used to tie your shelter together, carry firewood, bind your tools, bind your wounds, make baskets, become part of your clothing, adorn you in many ways, help you make fire, and more. In this course, you'll learn how to find, identify, collect and process natural sources of fiber for making rope. Both beginning and advanced cording methods will be covered and you'll take a rope-related project home with you. Remember, you have to be tied to be fit when you take this class!

ABORIGINAL ART
Aboriginal art is waiting to be crafted by your own hands as it springs forth from your deepest well of creativity. Whether it's a piece of painted buckskin, a rope necklace, a mini-petroglyph, a deer willow figure, a basket, a walking stick, or a buckskin pouch, you'll seek new levels of creativity using what the earth provides. Of course, you get to take home any projects. You may also participate in group projects, such as making a pictograph on a boulder. Move over Picasso and make room for (fill in your name here)!

THORNS, STINGERS AND FANGS
Whether you're new to the Southwest or a seasoned hand, you won't want to miss this course. Combining science and sensory awareness, you'll learn how to positively interact with the area's potentially dangerous plants and animals. From agave to cactus, rattlesnake to black widow, scorpion, and cone-nosed bug, you'll find out how to identify, avoid, appreciate, and primitively treat wounds from these and other species. Learn to turn the fear into love and walk among your relatives in peace.

NATURAL HUNTING AND TRAPPING
A nice compliment to Wild Edible Plants and a fine course all its own. You'll learn to procure meat using your hands, stones, sticks, traps, and bows. We'll also cover how to butcher and cook an animal using only stone-age tools. Finally, we discuss the tanning process for any hides we procure. Primitive hunting tools can be made, if desired. Let's put the hunt back into hunter-gatherer!

BASIC FLINTKNAPPING
This class is designed for beginners who wish to make functional stone tools. Using rocks local to the southwest, as well as some imported materials, we'll cover equipment, safety, basic concepts, and use of tools. You can create stone knives, saws, choppers, scrapers, spokeshaves, and more. Some novices are even able to produce arrowheads and spearpoints during their first efforts. Leave you metal knife behind and learn how to "smash rock" with us .

SOUTHWESTERN BASKETRY
As you create a basket, you'll also weave the lives of the plants involved into your own. Baskets have been useful throughout the ages for storage, eating, drying, and leaching foods, or any other uses you can come up with!

PRIMAL JOURNEYS: RETREATS FOR MEN
Open to a variety of focuses, this male-only course will address traditional male roles in the context of nature and primitive skills. Men will support men, while learning to strengthen themselves. There will be plenty of ritual space, stories, and primitive music. Identify what it is you want from yourself and life in the context of nature.

PRIMITIVE SKILLS SAMPLER
Here's your opportunity to devise your own course. You choose any combination of primitive skills taught by Raven's Way and we provide the instruction. The ultimate custom-made course!!

Raven's Way Traditional School Custom Trips & Additonal Courses
(ADD $10 PER PERSON PER DAY IF YOU WANT MEALS INCLUDED)

NATURAL HISTORY TRIPS
These trips focus on the Southwest's plants and animals and include some of the area's most spectacular scenery. We'll discuss the identification and natural history of many of the species we encounter. There will also be many opportunities for observing interesting animal behavior and plant characteristics.

SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA SAMPLER
Explore a variety of natural and cultural areas in this incredibly diverse region.

PRIMITIVE LIVING I
A leisurely trip designed to introduce the novice to a number of primitive skills. Travel is minimal and many modern implements are permitted. You'll learn basic fire-making, sensory awareness, simple stone-age tools, wild edible plants, rope making, wilderness safety, water finding, and more.

PRIMITIVE LIVING II
This intermediate level class expands upon and adds to skills learned in Primitive Living I. We'll become more mobile and use less modern gear. Some of our topics include: more wild edible plants, hunting and trapping, wild medicinal plants, natural shelters, beyond-basic stone-age tools, fire by friction, and more. (Prerequisite: Primitive Living I or equivalent.)

PRIMITIVE LIVING III
This advanced class permits minimal to no modern gear and requires rigorous travel. Topics include: advanced fire by friction, primitive uses of fire, adhesives, containers, hide-tanning, basketry, advanced hunting, aboriginal art, and more primitive shelters and tools. (Prerequisite: Primitive Living I and II or equivalent.)

About the Instructors

Vince Pinto, Head instructor and RWTS Director: Vince is an accomplished naturalist and primitive skills instructor. He has been teaching primitive skills and nature workshops for over 15 years throughout much of the country. He's learned his skills through countless hours of experimentation, direct experience, and from some of the field's leading teachers. His wit and creativity bring much to Raven's Way.

Education: Master of Arts in Environmental Studies, Prescott College, Prescott, Arizona, 2000.

Focus: Southwestern Hunting and Gathering Cultures.
Thesis: "Primitive ways of making and using fire in the American Southwest."

Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology, University of Montana, 1998, with Honors.
Tom Brown's Tracker School, New Jersey, 1990, Standard course.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Vince has been an instructor of primitive living skills at the following places and events:

Miraval Resort (Catalina, AZ)
Pueblo Grande Museum (Phoenix, AZ)
Dona Ana Branch Community College (Las Cruces, NM)
New Mexico College of Natural Healing (Silver City, NM)
Western New Mexico University (Silver City, NM)
American Museum of Natural History's Southwestern Research Station (Portal, AZ)
Sharlot Hall Museum (Prescott, AZ)
Smoki Museum (Prescott, AZ)
Prescott College (Prescott, AZ)
Apache Grade School (Apache, AZ)
Cochise College (Sierra Vista & Benson, AZ)
Chiricahua National Monument (Arizona)
The Chewonki Foundation (Wiscasset, ME)
Appalachian Mountain Club (Gorham, NH)
Poko MacCready Outdoor Education Center (Willsboro, NY)
Fairview YMCA (Newton, NJ)
Pennypack Environmental Education Center (Philadelphia, PA)
Greenkill YMCA (Huguenot, NY)
Corinth Elementary School (Corinth, NY)
Pathfinder Ranch Environmental Education Center (Mountain Center, CA)
Several teacher's conferences (NY)
Whiteface Mountain Native American Festival (NY)
Permaculture Class (Prescott, AZ)
Primitive Living Skills Conferences:
-Wintercount (Maricopa, AZ)
-Rabbitstick Rendezvous (Rexburg, ID)
-Northern Lights (British Columbia)

SOME OF VINCE'S OTHER EXPERIENCES INCLUDE:
-Guest instructor at Tom Brown JR's Tracker School
-Wildlife Researcher:

Spotted Owls (NM, OR)
Wild Turkey (NM, AZ)
Reptiles and Amphibians (MO)
Mammals (MD)
Wildlife Habitat (UT)
Fish/Sea Life (AK)

-Substitute Teacher (AZ)
-High School Instructional Aide (AZ)
-Environmental Educator (CA, NY, NJ, NH, ME)
-Extensive backpacking experience in AZ, NM, UT, CO, WY, MT, WA, NY, NJ, PA, MD, ME NH, FL, MO, Jamaica and Mexico.
-Full Stone-Age Living Trips in Arizona (solo and two-person) and Idaho (group)
-Sells his primitive art

JEFF STAUFFER
Jeff's unique blend of infectious enthusiasm, high level of skill, and scientific knowledge lend themselves well to Raven's Way. In particular, his botanical expertise is impressive. Jeff works primarily as an environmental education instructor, and his favorite is subject is Ethnobotany. Currently, he offers workshops in California through Raven's Way.

RAVEN'S WAY TRADITIONAL SCHOOL HAS BEEN FEATURED IN:
-Arizona Highways, February 2003 issue (in the "Off-ramp" section)
-Wilderness Way Magazine
-The Daily Courier (Prescott, AZ)
-The Press-Republican (Plattsburg, NY)

How to Register

To register for raven's way courses, please call 520-403-5085 and leave a message for Vince Pinto, indicating which course(s) you are interested in. Leave your name, phone number, and the best times to call back. (Don't hit "5". Leave your phone number on Vince's voice mail.) Vince lives rather primitively, but you WILL get a call back as promptly as possible. AND/OR write to us or send us an e-mail at ravens_way@hotmail.com and include your name, address, and phone number, and any classes that you are interested in.

We'll either call or write to you. Once we receive a deposit on the course that you wish to take (50% of its total cost), then we will mail you a detailed itinerary and gear list. The deposit is fully refundable up to two weeks in advance of the course. After this time, if you need to cancel then we'll apply your deposit to a future course of your choice. If we cancel a course, then you receive a full refund. Please make checks out to Vince Pinto, Not RWTS.

OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES:
As the number of people in any one course or trip increases, Raven's Way will attempt to lower its prices accordingly. While we need to survive financially, we understand your needs as well.

Please know that if you choose to participate in any Raven's Way Traditional School programs, then you do so AT YOUR OWN RISK. We are quite safety conscious, but accidents can and do happen everywhere in life. So if you come, we'll be very happy to have you, but BE A RESPONSIBLE ADULT and take ownership of your own actions, choices, and their consequences.

It is up to you to let us know if you have any medical concerns, take medications, or need special care. We will then try to accommodate you or support you as best we can. Meals can be included for some programs, often at an extra cost. This is on a program-by-program basis, depending upon the number of students and their dietary needs. Let us know what we can do for you.

We can provide transportation for a limited number of students in most courses, but this may vary. Again, let us know what you need.

Finally, basic camping gear is necessary for many trips, though there are numerous local bed and breakfasts and several hotels. You can generally choose to camp primitively, modernly or do the hotel-thing.

Internship Opportunities
*Available intermittantly and open to couples or friends*

Qualifications

Must own a reliable vehicle (for your own use).
Must have a dependable shelter (i.e.: vehicle and/or tent).
Must be able to feed yourself on a regular basis!
Must have an open mind and open heart.
Must have a strong desire to learn a variety of primitive living skills.
Must have patience.
Must be physically fit and prepared for all types of weather.

Also Helpful

Computer knowledgable
Drawing skills
Spanish language skills

The Work You Will Do

Assist with and possibly initiate primitive projects on "Raven-Looks Mountain" (Vince's land). Examples include: stone pit house, shade arbors, sweat lodge, earthen dams, quest hut, etc.
Posting fliers in nearby towns.
Collecting/processing natural materials for projects and classes.
Help plan school schedule.
Help develop fliers and other advertisements.
Care-take on Raven's Look Mountain.
Assist us (as you are able) with teaching.

What You Will Get In Return

A tremendous experience in one of North America's most diverse natural areas.
Camping on Vince's land. (Valued at 3,000 clamshells a season!)
Frequent one-on-one primitive skills instruction.
Pay for any computer or art work.
A percentage of class proceeds if you do significant teaching during it.
The occassional shared meal.
Gas reimbursement for school business.
Attend any Raven's Way class for free during your stay.

To Apply, Contact Vince at:

Vince Pinto
RWTS
3000 West Lobo Road
Tucson, AZ 85742
520-403-5085
ravens_way@hotmail.com

Primal Creations: The Raven's Way Store
Multiple purchase discounts are available.

Hand Drill Fire-by-Friction Sets - Made from native southwestern woods and pre-tested for quality. Includes instructions and is bound with buckskin. $16.

Fire Plow Fire-by-Friction Sets - Made from native southwestern sotol. Includes instructions and is bound with buckskin. $32.

RWTS T-shirts - $15, 100% cotton, specify S, M, L, or XL; these t-shirts sport the Raven's Way logo (an abstract design with many raven images coming together to form one), and some of our many classes are depicted in Raven footprints. We've had rave reviews for these shirts! Anyone who attends a Raven's Way course wearing one of our T-shirts gets a 10% discount for that course.

Raven's Way Traditional School Arts have been sold at the American Museum of Natural History's Southwestern Research Station in Portal, Arizona and the Western New Mexico University Museum in Silver City, New Mexico.

For more information on Raven's Way Traditional School Classes & Products, please contact:

Vince Pinto
RWTS
PO Box 16261
Portal, AZ 85632
520-403-5085
ravens_way@hotmail.com

The RWTS website is maintained by Thomas J. Elpel. Please visit our Web World Portal.

PO Box 684
Silver Star, MT 59751
406-287-3605
E-mail Contact Page

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USA Customers We ship all USA orders via USPS Priority Mail, except as otherwise noted on the website. Express Mail shipping is available by special request.	International Customers outside the USA please click here for additional shipping information.