HEADWATERS 2009 NEWSLETTER

Our family has been growing. Our classes were filled with amazing people from all walks of life. We have been hearing since they have left the school that they are going out into their part of the world and making a positive difference in their communities. It’s been a very rewarding year meeting such great people who actually go out and apply what they have learned/experienced here. A teacher couldn’t ask for more.

We had 28 apprentices throughout the summer. Some stayed 4 weeks and some stayed for 9 weeks. We had boys and girls as young as 12 years old and men and women in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. It was a great mix of people, and very quickly, as usually happens here, we all became an instant family and village. As apprentices you take all of the classes as well as have extra trips and opportunities not available for the regular students. You help run the camp behind the scenes and may help teach, depending on your experience and abilities. If you are interested in learning more about our apprenticeship program, please call Tim directly so he can see if it is a right fit for you, and if so how to make it happen. All ages 12 years old and up are welcome with the right focus towards learning at our school. It is an active, learning environment where you need to engage with the group as well as be able to be self-directed. Headwaters is not just a leisure, summer hang out camp. There is free recreation time, but the core focus of being an apprentice is to learn by getting out in the woods, interacting and immersing yourself fully into the program.

Jon Bock led our apprentices this summer on some great adventures. He, Shahar and Ethan led a crew of fourteen on a 4 day hike in the Eddies behind our land. Aaron and Jon both led a group of apprentices up Mt. Shasta to the summit, and all of the other adventures..well those happened right here on our land.

What’s new this year? We had a beautiful, wood burning sauna built by Shahar, Gemiah and his parents, Rob and Lori, and their friend Mario, Jon and Walter. It’s going to feel so great on those snowy days when the bones are aching. We made a new camp entry behind the greenhouse to keep foot traffic and noise down near the house. The Boy’s Rites of Passage class and the Wilderness Skills class built new teepees by the big round house. A lot of volunteers and work trade students have been clearing the woods for fire safety and care taking. It looks and feels great. It definitely takes a village to keep our place functional, beautiful and safe. Thank you for all of your help!

Most people ask about our dogs so we’ll fill you in. Mattie lived an incredible life and passed away in November. She was 22 years old. Bear had two surgeries this year so it was a rough one for him. He had knee surgery for a torn tendon and he had two cancerous tumors removed a few months later. He’s recovering pretty well. He’s definitely physically slower, but is still a happy puppy inside and just as loving. Riley, Benny, Tank and Kodi are as spunky as usual, and thoroughly enjoying paradise here.

Headwaters has a Facebook page, so if you’re looking to connect with a past student, log on and check in to see where everyone is and what they are up to.

Our Winter Class is coming up. Don’t miss this one! If you keep putting it off you will regret it. This class is an amazing experience. It is unbelievably beautiful. As long as you have warm, waterproof boots and layers of warm clothes you will acclimate and you will be SO happy you came. There’s lots to learn and lots of challenging fun to be had. And of course you will eat very well and be happy from the inside out. The Winter Class takes you through all basic skills taught here. You will use wilderness skills, nature awareness and earth philosophy throughout the class. Just ask anyone who has ever taken this class how it was and more than likely you will get how life changing it can be.

The Scout Class is happening in July 2010 so plan your reunion time to come, and have fun using your skills and playing in the woods.

Thank you to all of you who donated money to the Walker/Hupp Fund this year. Your generosity helped many people experience Headwaters classes and make connections with like minded people, who have had some hard times and wouldn’t have been able to come otherwise. Great news is you have helped to change people’s lives. Bummer news is we have used up all of the funds for future students in need. We all appreciate your continued support. Every bit helps and it benefits us all through our students giving back to the communities. It comes full circle. So remember our non-profit fund at tax right off time and if you know of any companies that you could contact that would also like to help people go through our classes, and would like a tax donation, please contact Tim. 530) 938-1304 Or send a check to the Headwater’s office made out to: WALKER/HUPP FUND P.O. Box 1698 Santa Cruz, Ca. 95061

Remember to make a positive change in your community. Pick up garbage on your walks, clear a creek, create habitat for wildlife in your yard, on your balcony and/or roof top. Pay attention to what’s happening in your environment on all levels and TAKE ACTION to protect it and enhance it. Each day you get out of bed make it a better place than the day before. Wake consciously and appreciate this awesome world we live in.

See you out in the woods!