Apprenticeship Program

For those of you who feel like regular workshops and courses just aren’t enough for you, we have a 3 level Apprenticeship program. This program is laid out in three main sections, each with two three week blocks that can be taken in a three year time frame. The reason we have laid it out in three sections is because some people wish to engauge in an intensive, long period training program, but have no desire to get into teaching. Others wish to get deeply into the energy of skill learning by submersing themselves in a long term training program to eventually go onto teaching. And yet others wish to learn intensely their skills and how to teach them because they wish to teach for Ways Of The Wild Institute in Vermont or open a satellite school in the future.

Accepted students may choose to take only the first level Apprenticeship program while others may wish to embark upon levels 1 and 2. Other students may wish to go all the way and dedicate themselves to all three levels.

Ways Of The Wild Institute Apprenticeship Program is truly INTENSIVE and for this reason any interested party must directly email White Wolf expressing their interest. After this first email the detailed document for the Apprenticeship Program is emailed to the individual to read through. If the individual is interested after reading the details the application is emailed to the potential student. The application stage is  a process that must be fully and successfully completed before the potential student is either accepted to the program or not. NOT ALL WHO APPLY ARE ACCEPTED TO THE PROGRAM. There is very limited space each year for this program and so interested parties are thoroughly looked at to determine who will best fit the program from year to year.

The first level of apprenticeship deals with the intent of allowing the apprentice to spend longer durations in the wilderness setting without the modern world’s interference. During this level the apprentice will learn the wilderness skill set that is required to successfully survive, surpass and live in a primitive wilderness environment long for short and long term time frames. All levels of essential skills will be covered during this level of training spread between two blocks. This program is INTENSIVE and anyone considering it should be fully aware of this reality. The apprentice will be living this reality 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with no let up. The skills will be taught in a fashion that brings the mind back to an older time period when these skills were common place and true survival depended upon them through and through. Not only does the training approach the physical level of skills, but also the mental, emotional and deeply spiritual nature of their foundation and reality within the context of life. The training is hard and requires only the truly dedicated to embrace the Apprenticeship program.

If you are truly interested in intense wilderness training than this Apprenticeship program may just be for you. All interested parties should inquire at firewolfways@gmail.com

This level of apprenticeship deals with the intent of allowing the apprentice to spend longer durations in the wilderness setting without the modern world’s interference. During this level the apprentice will learn the wilderness skill set that is required to successfully survive, surpass and live in a primitive wilderness environment long for short and long term time frames. All levels of essential skills will be covered during this level of training spread between two blocks. This program is INTENSIVE and anyone considering it should be fully aware of this reality. The apprentice will be living this reality 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with no let up. The skills will be taught in a fashion that brings the mind back to an older time period when these skills were common place and true survival depended upon them through and through. Not only does the training approach the physical level of skills, but also the mental, emotional and deeply spiritual nature of their foundation and reality within the context of life. The training is hard and requires only the truly dedicated to embrace the Apprenticeship program.

The Apprenticeship Program can be partaken by individuals or as a double person team. This team can be friends, couples or two people who wish to take the program but not as a solo expedition.

During the program what is presented is geared to the specifics of the individual or team. In other words you can embark upon this journey with a personal goal set fully intact. Some Apprentices come with the wish to learn how to feel at peace with the wilderness, some come to better learn wilderness skills. Other Apprentices come with the intent to learn to discover deeper and more complex and vast aspects of themselves while some utilize the time and teachings as a form of deep self healing or “de-programming”. Yet others utilize the time as a personal “rite of passage” into whatever level of life they are evolving into. Whatever it is you seek from the experience, the program will be shifted to accommodate through the skills sets offered.

The details below are a baseline example of what is presented in the first two blocks and as stated above can be geared to the Apprentice. I find that most people do not stick to this example program and choose to embark upon their own structure that fits uniquely with their personal goals. This program is very flexible.

This is a certified program and an official certificate will be presented to the apprentice upon completion of each level.

Details covered within this first block:

The 6 essentials-

• Survival mind verses primitive living philosophies

This area of training includes the spirituality that was taught to me as a child through Native teachings. It includes the “Medicine Ways” that deal with methods self healing, self awareness, centering/grounding, Eagle Mind, Totems, energy protection, forgiveness, inner child work, elements and directions, color energies, release work and the greater connections between our physical existence and the non-physical through hands on skills.

• Primitive tool craft

Learning how to use raw materials found within the environment to create natural tools to assist you in wilderness living…

• Shelter craft

Many different styles of primitive shelters will be taught and built in this section of your training to practically suit your survival and living needs in all seasons.

• Water works

Finding water in the wilderness from many sources, different styles of treating it for drinking and cooking are covered in this area of training.

• Fire craft

The art of making fires in the outdoors in all environmental conditions are covered in this section. The use of different materials is fully covered for the making of primitive fire.

• Wild edibles

Edibles from the local environment as well as ones that can be found in many different types of environments world-wide are fully covered. Where to find them, how to identify them, which parts are edible, what they contain, how to harvest them and how to prepare them are covered in detail.

Details beyond:

• Awareness

Awareness is the key to life. The level of your awareness will fully dictate your level of skill in whatever you do in life. Here you will begin the lifelong path of full external (wilderness) and internal (self) awareness.

• Track-Pack items and organization

The most useful items to include in your Track-Pack, or survival bag and how to use them all under various conditions…

• Food storage

Learning how to store food items in the wilderness for protection and preservation…

• Primitive cooking

The covering of many different style of cooking various foods in a wilderness setting are covered in detail.

• First-aid

The basics of wildlands first-aid are covered so that you learn how to treat yourself in times of medical need as well as others you might find who are injured or sick.

• Medicinals

Natural found medicines are taught and all the details of where to find them, how to harvest them and prepare them as well as the basics of how to use them for common ailments…

• Hygiene

Keep yourself clean is essential to survival in the wilderness and in this area of training you will learn what natural materials you can use for personal hygiene- from toothpaste and brush to mouthwashes, soaps, hair care, nail care, body purification and other basic but necessary hygiene techniques.

• Camp craft (rope, container, bench, seat, oven, etc making)
• Natural Navigation

Learning to find your directions as well as location and successfully navigating the wilderness with and without compasses, GPS and maps.

• Tracking

Basic tracking skills are covered so that you can begin to understand the vast labyrinth to the world of tracks. Everything leaves tracks and here you will begin to understand this.

• Snares including fish traps

Basic traps and snares are covered in order to successfully gain meat in survival situations.

• Hunting philosophy and etiquette

The Native Way of hunting is not the modern way of hunting. The Native Way was and still is a way of deep respect and understanding of life and what the hunt truly is. You will learn these ways.

In this level of the Apprenticeship program you will not only be learning physical skills but also the natural respect that is upheld in the natural world by all forms of life. You will delve into this level of awareness and understanding. You will begin to learn about the ways of your animal and plant neighbors, how they live and exist in the great web of life as well as your connection to all of them. This means you will also begin to more fully understand your own placement within life.

Those are the baseline details of what is fully covered in the first level Apprenticeship program. Variations, depth and angle will vary greatly from student to student depending upon the skill level and wishes of the Apprentice.

Those taking the Apprenticeship program will be staying fulltime in the mountains of Vermont in a primitive “camping” setting. The location of the “base camp” will be within a 20 to 50 minute walk from Ways Of the Wild Institute. Cell phones are allowed for emergency use. White Wolf will be walking to the base camp every day of the Apprentice’s stay. Some days will include long and very detailed lessons and other days will be simple check-ins to see how the Apprentice is doing with the skills at hand. Some training will take place at night. Weather will not hinder training as the Apprenticeship program runs rain or shine.

We have two main camp areas. The most remote is the Wolf Camp and is for those seeking true solitude. But in the Wolf Camp you will be presented with the greatest challenges that stem from your core mind/emotion issues and so you must be aware of this. In the Wolf Camp solitude becomes you. The second camp is the Raven Camp which is less remote and geared to those wishing to face themselves but may not have the desire or ability to venture into such solitude as the Wolf Camp holds. Both are wonderful and deeply powerful settings.

Upon arrival at Ways Of The Wild Institute the Apprentice will be brought to the base camp and assisted in getting fully set-up for their stay. The Apprentice will not be left alone until they are properly, safely and completely set-up in the camp location. This includes proper shelter, water, fire, food, orientation with a map marked with exact trails back to the road and Ways Of The Wild Institute and emergency contact information. During the first night of the Apprentice’s stay White Wolf will be spending in the wood with them in the base camp.

As said above, if an Apprentice wishes to take the Apprenticeship program with a partner they may certainly do so. This program does not have to be a solitary training. In fact we urge Apprentices with very little camping experience to try teaming up with a partner for their training block, but it is not necessary.

The reason this Apprenticeship program is laid out in this way is so the Apprentice can get a very real feeling of what true wilderness living is all about. It is laid out in a fashion which allows ample time for the Apprentice to reflect upon life and themselves and perhaps discover areas of them they have not yet found. The skills and working with the land assists this process of self discovery. Lessons learned in this program and deep in the Vermont wilderness can be taken with the Apprentice into any walk of life, job and path they so choose. What is learned here is not meant to stay here or only be practical in the wilderness, but rather to fully enhance the Apprentice’s life on all levels. The fact is that this program is for only the serious and those who are ready to spend these 3 week blocks in the actual wilderness learning wilderness skills hands on in a highly practical manner. Are you ready? If so this may very well be the Apprenticeship Training Program for you!

This program is open to both male and female participants. Must be at least 18 years of age.

For more details and all the information please email me at firewolfways@gmail.com.

Apprentice Testimonials:

 
 

I really did not know what to expect when I decided to venture overseas to the green mountains of Vermont to take the part in the apprenticeship program taught by White Wolf Von Atzingen. I was a seeker with high demands and intensive urge for healing and answers to many questions regarding my own unsolved troubles, the world situation, mind control and such issues so many crave assistance with. I to be honest I was getting quite tired of gurus, spiritual systems and basically being lost in life. The time spent in the wild with White Wolf was amazing and I can honestly say (as corny as it may sound) life-transforming in many ways. His way of presenting information and freely flowing with my own spiritual urges and impulses regarding what i wanted to learn and adapting to that flow was in quite refreshing! It humbles me to say that after the 6 week period spent in the woods with White Wolf I can honestly feel that he is not just a spiritual guide and assistant in one´s healing path but someone I truly consider a trustworthy friend. The apprenticeship-program left me with lessons and material to work with for some years to come that´s for sure. It is my sincere wish that the Ways Of The Wild institute will continue shining brighter and brighter in these often intensive times when so many people are in dire need of compassionate guidance without unnecessary suggestions and mind games.

K.- Scandinavia- 2012

This was an amazing program, incredible! So far I only took the first block and I was blown away by the information. White Wolf allowed the program to run how I needed it most. There was no pressure, no time frame; I even forgot what day it was. I wasn’t so interested in physical skills. My intent embarking in the apprenticeship program was to gain a clearer picture into myself and spirituality. What I came away with was information that’ll take me many years to work with. The program truly allowed me to get away from it all and find parts of myself I never knew existed!
Benjamin- Texas- 2010

5 stars! I took block 1 and 2 of the apprenticeship program run by White Wolf and my life is forever changed. I was seeking solitude in the wilderness to find a deeper sense of myself. My life revolves around the city and a corporate job. I needed to get away from everything I knew for a while and this program allowed me to do just that. I drove to Vermont from the cities of New Jersey and after miles of winding country roads I turned onto dirt. The old dirt road led deep into the mountains and I felt like I was leaving civilization for good. That was nothing compared to when White Wolf guided me back into the wilderness on foot carrying everything I would need for three full weeks. It seemed as though we wandered into another world, another time and I had walked onto another planet. Nothing but the wild surrounded me for weeks. Not a soul besides me and my truly gifted guide, White Wolf…
The first block I basically used as a three week personal consultation. I couldn’t have dreamed of receiving the amount of details that I did. The second three week block was spent making deep connections to the wilderness and finding areas of myself I could’ve found no other way.
White Wolf paced everything perfectly and I had plenty of time to myself to reflect on the many lessons.
Tara- New Jersey- 2011

I began this program thinking I was looking for deep practical wilderness skills. After the first week I realized that I sought spirituality, a connection I never thought attainable. White Wolf easily shifted the program to suit my desires. He is masterful in his methods and within the first day I knew he was genuine and probably one of the most kind hearted individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. The lessons he presented were natural and easily understood. I felt very comfortable in his presence, even being far back in the wilderness alone. It was like being in the presence of a master wolf. I will never forget the experience of this program. (the first three week block)
Toby- New Zealand- 2011

I was looking for very in-depth private teachings in a pure wilderness setting when I headed to America’s Vermont. There’s not much wilderness where I’m from. I had followed White Wolf’s website and listened to many of his learning cds when I decided to sign up for the start of the apprenticeship program. I could only afford two weeks away from work and White Wolf accommodated without problem. I went with a good idea of what I wanted to learn- basic wilderness skills, wilderness self defense and a deeper connection to life. I gained more than I could have possibly imagined in those two weeks! They were the most complete teachings I’ve ever found. I look forward to returning to those mountains and the guidance of White Wolf.
Sandra- Austria- 2010

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