October 6, 2023
We shared another bright and sunny day together. hawadubš (thank you in Lushootseed) for those helped us carry wood for the many fires to come!
We gathered in our morning circle and heard a silly story about the bəlups (racoon) who inspired one of our mentors to get creative with one precious tomato she grew to court the bəlups out and away from the chickens she tends.
Read MoreSeptember 29, 2023
Blue skies, crisp cool air, and sunshine greeted us all last Friday as we gathered the wind for the second time this program year. At our home base, Toads Crossy Roads, we heard a story about Skywoman and the birth of Turtle Island in a story from oral tradition, reimagined by Robin Wall Kimmerer of the Potowatomi Tribe.
Read MoreSeptember 29, 2023
As the full moon worked their magic on the waters and land of this island, we dropped deeper into the land and our relationships with each other. One of our hopes for the children is that they might feel a sense of belonging, of home, amongst Hemlock, Song Sparrow, and our other wild kin. As a group we spent a large part of our day place-making - setting up our tarp to keep us dry through the winter, tending our hearth where fire will warm us, and harvesting hemlock and bracken fern so that even on the wettest of days we might call in fire.
Read MoreSeptember 22, 2023
We shared such a sweet and sunny first day together on the autumn equinox!
During morning circle, we greeted the land in the Twulshootseed language that has been interwoven in the land/Vashon since time immemorial by saying "hello taču!" (Sounds like: touch-oh). VWP staff learned this phrase from David Turnipseed, a Puyallup tribal member and teacher for the Puyallup Tribal Language program.
Read MoreFebruary 8, 2020
Our day today was absolutely beautiful! The rain visited us for only a short while this morning and left behind droplets of moisture glistening on the edges of leaves, leaving the impression of being surrounded by fine gemstones in the varied green woods of Island Center.
Read MoreJanuary 31, 2020
At VWP we love to see and support the natural affinity that exists between young children and Elders. In the Fall we host a special Grandparents Day that many of our family members participated in with us. Grandparents Day is one of our favorite program days! But, of course, many of our childrens' grandparents live far away and cannot make it to Grandparents Day. When those Elders come to town we are so happy when they ask to come and join us. We had just such an opportunity last Friday …
Read MoreDecember 14, 2019
While our morning began with drizzle and damp, the prospect of a day on the beach warmed the hearts of one and all! We began the day with games to warm us, skulls and bones to mystify us, and a tale chronicling the life of Mag, a drop of water. What were the many transformations of Mag? Where and how did Mag travel? Where might Mag be right now? Perhaps your family can observe a drop of water, and wonder about the many travels that drop might take!
Read MoreDecember 6, 2019
Last Friday was a fun and spontaneous one! We had Kristiana (one of our elders) spend the day with us. She brought with her such wisdom, in the form of joy, curiosity and playfulness. We all absolutely love when she spends the day with us. As an instructor it is hard not to feel alive and inspired when she is around, and I could see the same sentiments reflected in the children.
Read MoreDecember 5, 2019
What a fun day we had last Thursday at our Late Start program on campus at our local elementary school. It was dry and relatively warm -- perfect adventuring weather!
Read MoreNovember 8, 2019
We had a lovely day together! It was cold, but dry. Of course, many of your little ones seem to strip off their layers very quickly!
After a time of gratitude, we gathered around a warm fire and had a bit of theatre. Many children enjoyed acting out a scene they experienced in Nature and we all had fun guessing! Maybe your kiddo is paying a bit more attention to the natural world in the hopes that they have some news to share for next program...
November 9, 2019
Our day began with a beautiful fire Yasmin built with assistance from our teen volunteer Orion. It burned brightly all day under our dry shelter. We also welcomed another new teen volunteer, India, who has been part of VWP programs since she was four years old. The fire and these two lively volunteers brightened our day immensely!
Read MoreNovember 8, 2019
Sometimes we search far and wide, when what we are looking for is right next to us. Though what we really find is on the adventure of looking.
Read MoreOctober 26, 2019
Elders play a special role in our programs, helping to guide us with their wisdom, and modeling for us what it means to have a loving and forgiving heart... two essential ingredients in healthy culture. In addition to our Elder Council which serves to protect the health and integrity of our people and work…
Read MoreOctober 12, 2019
Our first day of Forest Trackers (Ravens) brought us together in gratitude and as we came into relationship with one another and the land. We established ourselves as the Forest Tracker Raven Cohort!
Read MoreSeptember 27, 2019
Was it chop wood-carry water, or carry water-hold wood. Oh, now I remember… carry wood-hold water. Some took up the challenge and made over a dozen trips of holding the same water in their mouths while carrying wood! The task of moving our wood supply was a breeze with all the helping hands and joyful hearts…
Read More
