WHAT WE TEACH
Hardwired to relate
We are hardwired to belong in, and to, the more-than-human world around us. Many of us who live in the industrialized world long for connection to the plants, animals, land, winds, and waters around us, but we're not sure how to get there. It's possible to relearn this, but it takes time—and teachers.
What does it mean to belong?
At Fox Paw School, we think learning to belong means building a real relationship with the land, animals, plants, and yearly cycles. Just like a relationship with another person, this comes from time and attention—spending time outside of human-mediated environment, and paying close attention to what is happening there with all our senses. The Fox Paw curriculum is designed to help you learn the skills of attention and awareness, and give you plenty of time to practice them, setting you up to continue building your relationship with your landbase for the rest of your life.
​Deep connection, serious skills
Our curriculum focus on natural history skills such as botany, ornithology, tracking, weather watching, etc—but it's anything but academic. Building these natural history skills is the baseline for connection. We spend time building a framework of these technical skills in order to create space for real connection to the world around us.
INSTRUCTORS
JONATHAN SHAPIRO
Lead instructor, administration
Jonathan is a dedicated teacher and mentor. He believes that a deep and accurate understanding of the more-than-human world is necessary for us to be healthy, both culturally and individually. The Fox Paw School is his small effort towards reconnecting himself and other humans with the rest of our wild kin.
He has earned three Professional and two Specialist certificates in Track & Sign from Tracker Certification North America, and teaches natural history at Sterling College. His other interests include hunting, fishing, running, reading books by the woodstove, and making crafts.
LUCIAN AVERY
Guest instructor
Lucian is a father, a blacksmith and back yard wanderer. He lives in Hardwick where he spends much of his time getting to know his neighbors. He walks the hills, watching birds, listening to frogs, feeling the wind and tasting the weeds. Lately he has gotten caught up in cloud drama as they evolve through the day. He also likes to make things for every day life like baskets, bowls and chicken soup.
CLASS LOGISTICS; REFUND AND CANCELLATION POLICY
We will be in the field all day, in (almost) all weather. Please bring all the food, water, and gear that you need to be comfortable outside in varying conditions. There is limited or no cell service in many of our field locations—please plan accordingly.​
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All deposits and payments are non-refundable unless we or you are able to fill the class and your reserved spot—our per-student tuition costs are calculated based on . having full enrollment. If we can fill your spot, you will receive a full refund, less a $175 administrative fee. You will also receive $175 in class credit, good for tuition for any class within 18 months of your original class date.
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If we or you are unable to fill the class and your reserved spot, we are unable to issue a refund because our per-person tuition is based on a full class—we have reserved that spot specifically for you.