Soulful Connection with Trees
A weekend course that uniquely blends practical field ecology and deep nature connection BOOK NOWWHEN:
Friday 11 – Sunday 13 October 2024
TUTORS:
Robin Bowman, Kara Moses
VENUE:
Dartington Trust, South Devon
AGE SUITABILITY:
PRICING (Bursaries are available):
COURSE FEE
£290
COURSE FEE PLUS ACCOMMODATION
£410
About this course
A weekend course that uniquely blends practical field ecology and deep nature connection.
Trees have always held a special place in human culture as sources of not only food, fuel and practical use but creative inspiration, mythic symbolism and spiritual significance. Have you ever wondered if trees can communicate, and how? Or how they grow, and what their shape tells us about their lives? Or how to identify different species without even looking at the leaves, and what their presence might tell us about the soil, water or other living beings in the surrounding landscape? Or perhaps even what it feels like to be a tree.
Over this weekend we’ll connect deeply with trees in diverse ways, from learning to identify species and understanding basic tree biology to intimate sensory experience and deep soulful connection. We’ll learn about their uses and services; myths and folklore associated with them and cultivate a whole new appreciation for our wooded friends.
on this course you will
- Identify common tree species using a range of techniques
- Learn about different tree species’ place in myth, legend and folklore
- Learn how to interpret tree ‘body language’, how the shape of a tree can tell you it’s life story
- Understand basic tree biology – how they grow, live and communicate with each other
- Step into the secret world of trees
- Connect with trees using dynamic multi-sensory awareness techniques for heightened awareness and deep connection with nature
- Tune into the subtle energies of trees for spiritual healing
- Develop nature observation techniques to build into your daily life
what participants said about this course
“I’m leaving here with deep gratitude and unlimited potential. I came for a ‘Soulful Connection to Trees’ and I got that and so much more.”
“An incredible and amazing experience. The deep teaching I got from the trees was that only when we slow down and stop can we connect.”
“Until this course I didn’t realise how connected we could be with trees and how aware of us they are. I now have a new found shared connection and relationship with trees. This is not a course, this is an opening.”
typical schedule for short courses
- Check-in to the room is between 3-3.45pm on the day of arrival. Check-out is 11am on the day of departure, although if travelling by public transport, luggage can be left at the Welcome Centre until the course has completed.
- Teaching generally begins at 4pm on the first day and ends at 2pm Fridays or 4pm Sunday (whichever is the last day of the course).
- The daily timetable can start at 9.30am and end around 9.15pm, with free time available at set times throughout the day.
- For residential participants breakfast is included, followed by a morning gathering and community work groups on weekdays, which are open to all participants and the college community. Non-residential participants can pay extra if they wish to have breakfast on one or more of the days.
- Lunch for all participants is between 1-2pm and supper is 6.30-7.30pm (both meals are included in the residential and non-residential course fee).
If you have any questions about your course schedule please contact shortcourses@dartington.org
TUTORS
Kara Moses
Kara Moses is a facilitator of rewilding and socio-ecological regeneration. She is passionate about the transformation of self and society to become more deeply connected to nature as an essential part of rewilding, alongside widescale ecological restoration. She lives a wild life in a remote off-grid barn in the foothills of the Cambrian mountains, tracking, exploring, hunting and foraging for food and medicine, and crafting with wild materials, with a particular love of traditional tanning of animal skins. Read More
Robin Bowman
Woodsman, tracker, falconer and bird language expert, Robin has 18 years’ experience of running nature connection , wilderness skills and bushcraft programs and courses. As the co-founder of The Old Way program Robin offers a deep dive into human rewilding, exploring the hunter- gatherer lifeways in 21st century Devon. Within this program Robin also runs expeditions to the Kalahari desert in Africa to work with and support the remote San Ju/Hoansi Bushman communities. Read More
OUR LEARNING COMMUNITY
Our courses are part of the wider Learning programme at Dartington, and you will join a community of students on site studying at Schumacher College and Dartington Arts School as well as other short course participants, volunteers and visitors.
While you are here we invite you to take part in our learning community life by attending morning meetings, taking part in activities such as meal preparation and clearing, and evening social events. This is entirely voluntary, but participants tell us that taking part adds to their experience at Dartington.
accommodation
We recommend that if possible, you stay on-site during your course. All our courses are best experienced holistically: through studying, relaxing, eating and staying with other course participants, volunteers, staff and tutors.
When you book your course with accommodation this includes one of our hostel-style single rooms with shared facilities and easy access to your main learning space. They are the perfect base to rest your head, relax and recharge. You can find out more about the rooms here.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included throughout the duration of the course, each made with fresh, locally-sourced produce by our award-winning team.
Accommodation is available at a discounted rate for course attendees, and on a first come, first served basis only. Choose this option by selecting ‘Course Fee Plus Accommodation’ at checkout.
Your Title Goes Here
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
optional: upgrade to a courtyard room
It is also possible, subject to availability, to upgrade your accommodation to a single or double en-suite bedroom in our beautiful and historic courtyard. Upgrade pricing is as follows:
For courses starting before 1/9/2023
- Single room with en-suite bathroom: additional £27.25 per night
- Double room with en-suite bathroom is an additional £43.60 per night
For courses starting on or after 1/9/2023
- Single room with en-suite bathroom: additional £31.07 per night
- Double room with en-suite bathroom is an additional £49.70 per night
If you would like to upgrade, please first book with residential option included, and then contact our Guest Services team on 01803 847150 or email guestservices@dartingtonhall.com to check availability. Our Guest Services department is open daily, 8am–8pm.
Should you decide to upgrade to our en-suite accommodation, please be aware that this is 20 min walk, or 3 min drive, to the Old Postern site, where some of our courses are held. There is car parking available near to all venues on the estate.
OPTIONAL: STAY ON OUR CAMPSITE
You may like to stay on our beautiful and relaxing campsite, amidst the stunning rolling hills and ancient woodlands of Dartington. Find out more about the campsite here.
Should you decide to stay on the campsite, please be aware that this is 10 min walk, to either Schumacher College or Dartington Hall, where our courses are held. There is car parking available near to all venues on the estate.
Book now
Begin your online booking below. You will receive an e-ticket for this event. You are welcome to email us at shortcourses@dartington.org or call us at 01803 847008 with any queries you have. Full Short Course T&Cs can be found here >
If you place a deposit, you will be contacted by us four weeks before the course start date to pay the outstanding balance. You will also be contacted with full details about the course before you arrive.
Please note that in most cases bookings for all our Short Courses close at midday on the Thursday before the course begins. This enables us to give you the best possible course experience and ensures all bookers receive the relevant course materials before they arrive.
