Environmental Living Program Participant’s Workshop

The Participant's workshop is always the first weekend in October

New teachers to our program must attend the entire workshop and may not send a substitute. Teachers who have participated in a previous workshop only need to come Saturday day, and  may leave at 6:30 PM or stay for a wonderful dinner, just let us know. We highly recommend all of you bring two parents or aides with you to the workshop so you have some knowledgeable assistance in the classroom and while your class is on site. Everyone - please, let us know who will be attending so we may plan for abundant food.   

Here is the cost:

            New Teachers and their guests who are staying the night                  $40 person

            Returning teachers and their guests who are leaving the workshop                                                                       before dinner                                                                                      $30 person

            Returning teachers who are staying for dinner – but not staying the

            night                                                                                                   $35 person

            Returning teachers and their guests who are staying the night          $40 person

            Here is a list of things to bring to the workshop.

            A sun hat for warm weather, a wool cap for cool weather. Be ready for either.

Sleeping bag and pad (you will be sleeping on hard wooden floors inside the fort buildings).

            A bag lunch for Saturday.

            All Eating Utensils--cup, plate, bowl, knife, fork and spoon.

            Clothes for both warm and cold weather.

            Sunscreen.

            A flashlight.

            A writing pad and writing implements for note taking.

            A Pad – to sit on while on our hard wooden benches.

Optional- funds for curriculum material you might purchase in the bookstore.

We will be providing the Fort Ross ELP manual and a CD of the manual, a Fort Ross Brochure, a dance music CD, and a Walking Tour guide when you arrive.

The workshop is a hands-on run-through of several aspects of the Environmental Living Program. The pace is fast and active at times, and at other times discussions that last an hour. Please be prepared to fully participate. Bring a pad to sit on – you will need it.  Our goal is to have you feel completely prepared to bring your class to Fort Ross for a wonderful experience. We are looking forward to meeting you and enjoying a weekend of fun and learning together. Please call with any questions. 707-847-4777

This is a tentative agenda to get an understanding of our workshop.       

Saturday           Please make every effort to be on time!!

9:00 – 9:30        As you arrive the Kiosk staff will point you in the right direction. Take all of your gear to the fort compound. Your sleeping gear will stay against the fence in the compound. You should keep pen, paper, manual, hat, pad for seating, and lunch with you. Return your car to the upper parking lot immediately. After you have returned your car to the parking lot please check in at the Officials’ Quarters.  

9:30 – 10:00       If time allows visit the fort surroundings and compound. Get acquainted with other participants.

10:00 – 11:00    Introductions, ELP workshop agenda, E LP Philosophy, and ELP overview.

11:00 – 11:15      Short break--Coffee, tea, European breakfast. Get acquainted.

11:15 – 12:00      History Presentation.

12:00- 12:30      Lunch--enjoy your picnic lunch on the fort grounds. During this time please take a few minutes to review our ELP “Company Room” inside the Officials’ Quarters.

12:30- 1:30         Manual overview and our expectations of you and your class.

1:30 – 3:15          Cooks Role Group Presentation.

3:15 – 3:30          Short break

3:30– 4:30          Artisans, Militia, Gardeners, and Hunters Role Group Presentation.

4:30 – 5:30         Experienced teachers/participants sharing classroom and onsite preparation.

5:30 - 6:00       Dance the troika with us.

6:00 - 6:30        Prepare sleeping gear, get utensils for dinner.

Participants, who will be leaving may do so at this time.  Please turn in your evaluation.

6:30 - 7:30        Dinner. After you have enjoyed the food, you must wash your own dish.       
General clean up by Militia. Please refer to your role group packet, which was handed to you as you checked in for all clean up duties.

                           Storyteller presentations during dinner. Cooks, Artisans, Hunters, and Gardeners may journal write, sketch, and/or enjoy the sunset.

7:30 – 8:30        In the Kuskov House - Discussion of possible evening activities and nightwatch. Costume Fashion Show. Wrap up of day’s events

8:30 – 9:00          Storytelling in the Chapel.

Sunday

7:00 - 8:00      Fires started and Breakfast by Cooks group.

8:00 – 8:30       Last call for Breakfast!

Clean up in Kitchen by Hunters.  All groups should check their role group packets for their clean up list.  

8:30 – 9:00       Officials’ Quarters. Discuss in more detail what a daily schedule may look like. Discussion of People of the Ross Colony, clean safety and fort safety.

9:45 – 11:30      Walk to North Cove, Sandy Cove, and Reef Campground. We will show you the way    
  to the cemetery.

11:30                  Official’s Quarters.  Questions and Answers.

              If you like, visit the Museum and Bookstore as you depart.