Sharp Grover, Billy Comstock, Charlie Reynolds, Billy Dixon, Jack Stillwell, Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Cody, William Mathewson -- even Kit Carson and William Bent, to mention only a few, received a part or all of their training in plainscraft, in Indian strategy, and in the lessons of hardihood, endurance and loyalty, on the plains of Kansas.
-Paul I. Wellman

What's Happening

Plainscraft wilderness school holds a monthly nature talk: a chance to gather and explore a particular topic related to the environment and wilderness skills. These are kind of a cross between a lecture and a social gathering. We have a presenter or facilitator that leads the talk.

The Wilderness club meets monthly to explore the local area. For the last three years we have met in the Haskell Baker Wetlands, an area near Lawrence, Kansas rich in plant and animal life. These are more active events and we practice various primitive skills as well as share our knowledge about the land with each other.

In time we plan to hold weekend classes, summer camps, and learning intensives.

Want an overview of what's planned? Check out the events calendar.

Fresh Tracks

June Wilderness Club Cancelled

Plainscraft Wilderness Club has been canceled for June 7th, due to the convener having severe back problems. Events will start up again in September, Until then, have a great summer!

First Earth Advanced Skills class

Over in Missouri, Bo Brown will offer an advanced survival skills class on June 14th. Primitive weaponry (atlatl, rivercane blowgun, quickie bow & arrow), basketry, containers & ember-burned bowls, bone fishhooks, needles & other tools, glues & adhesives (pine pitch, hide & fish glue), primitive cooking, nature awareness, and tracking/trailing are some of the subjects covered in this 3-day class. Look for more information about this school at First Earth's Website.

Plainscraft Journals

Medicinal Plants of Kansas

Looking for information on Soapwort, I ran across an 1882 reference for Medical Flora of Kansas.

Snowy Blessing

Though some tracks baffled us. We felt thankful for the snow. The wetlands provides some good opportunities to track in mud, but we often lose trails in the woods or to the dry land between puddles. Often we can only clearly trail an animal a few steps. Sometimes only one step.

Wahoo

Wandering along the Wakarusa on Nov. 6th, we happened upon this lovely bit of color in the very brown and open woods. These beautiful crimson berries grow on an opposite branching tree/shrub. It didn't look like any of the usual suspects for opposite branchers. Not a maple, ash, dogwood, horse chestnut or honeysuckle (Caprifoliacea.)[..]