Adult Earth Skills Series Spring 2026
Description
Spring is the time of returning birds, ephemeral flowers and warming weather. Survival becomes easier and gloves and boots are put away for the year. It’s time to look ahead and start advanced long term projects and crafts. In this session we will focus on crafting handmade bows and arrows.

The traditional wooden longbow is legendary for its power and accuracy. For thousands of years all across the globe the longbow has built nations, fed families, protected homes and provided sport for people of all descriptions. Today this elemental tool continues to earn its singular place in history as a form of functional art that is just as effective and beautiful now as it was in the hands of our ancestors. 

This Spring the Adult Earth Skills Series will dive deep into the art of wooden bow making. With more than 30 years of experience, our instructors will guide you through the process from identifying and harvesting a good “bow-tree” through final tillering and shooting your finished longbow. Using traditional techniques and simple hand tools you will craft a custom wooden bow suitable for hunting or target archery. Making arrows, arm-guards, and finger tabs will also be covered so you will be leaving with a complete archery set and the knowledge to continue your natural archery journey on your own. 

There is really nothing like shooting a beautiful bow that you crafted with gratitude from living wood. Come with us as we follow our ancestors into the adventurous world of natural archery!  

Our Basecamp and main teaching location will be 4-H Acres 418 Lower Creek Rd Ithaca. Other locations for exploring and foraging TBD. A pre-camp email will give details of where we will meet and what to bring.

Location:
Primitive Pursuits (PP)
Dates:
Select Saturdays
Time:
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Ages:
Ages 18 and up
Cost:
$545-$645
Availability:
This session has openings
Registration will end on 3/27/2026.