October 14, 2023
On a misty new moon that coincided with a solar eclipse, we embraced our first day together.
We arrived by playing mushroom tag, observing tanned hides and working with our hands to make iris cordage until the time for us to have our morning circle.
Read MoreOctober 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 MoreThe PNW is a haven for mushrooms; our cool and moist growing conditions mean you can find mushrooms just about anytime of year, especially in late Summer into early Fall. This is great news as mushrooms are a delicious and medicinal gift from nature. Learning to positively identify and eat wild mushrooms can be tricky business, and requires more in-depth study beyond the scope of this article. However, here is some basic information to get you started.
Read MoreDear Kids, We need your help to solve a problem: a lot of grown-ups have forgotten how to play with Nature. If you’re up for a summertime challenge, read on and learn how you can help grown-ups in your life to make new memories playing with nature! You’ll have so much fun!!
Read MoreWith fires raging throughout the PNW and the west coast in general, poor air quality can irritate and inflame our bodies in many ways. Luckily, plants abound that can help. Here are some of VWP Mentor Jane Valencia’s favorites for soothing lungs, eyes, and heart during smoky times.
Vashon Wilderness Program condemns racism and the ongoing persecution and killing of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. As a nature mentoring organization, we affirm all humans have a right to exist and thrive, and we are committed to creating community in which our human family experiences connection, belonging, respect, reciprocity and peace in kinship with each other and the natural world.
Read MoreApril 11, 2020
It is said that every being on earth has been given original instructions – a blueprint for the unfolding of their life’s purpose. Our journey as humans is to remember our original instructions and to celebrate our interconnectedness with all beings. Birds in particular, it is said, are here to lift our spirits with their song.
Read MoreMarch 17, 2020
One of the most powerful ways to connect with nature and yourself more intimately is to find a place in nature that you visit regularly – your Sit Spot. With all of your senses awakened, being in this one special place again and again and over time helps you develop keen awareness and observation skills, and a presence with all life. You begin to experience patterns and cycles in nature and understand your place in the community of all beings.
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 MoreFebruary 2, 2020
It is said that every being on earth has been given original instructions – a blueprint for the unfolding of their life’s purpose. Our journey as humans is to remember our original instructions and to celebrate our interconnectedness with all beings. Birds in particular, it is said, are here to lift our spirits with their song.
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...
Join us for a fantastic evening of music to support community connections and our Island non-profits! Hundreds of children experienced deep nature connection mentoring last year through Vashon Wilderness Program thanks to the generous donors that attended. We’d love to see you there!
Read MoreThese times demand that you and I stand firm in our values, and take action to leave our world a little better than we found it. Please give the gift of nature today. Give as generously as you can – every donation makes a difference!
Read More
