Treewild

Treewild, inc

The Way of the Bard

What does it take to be a Bard?

There is something of generosity, something of curiosity, of attentiveness and kindness, of fortitude and grit and flexible thinking. There is something of courage, and something of play.

There is an eagerness to help, and a slowness to criticize or flame into irritation. There is respect and culpability and encouragement and deliberation.

Having a voice to speak one’s own truth and having tender ears to hear the truths of others.

There is awareness of living on one small planet, and an intention for living in one small community.

This is what we build with the Way of the Bard.

Because we have a group of young people who are so tremendous, we have decided to return to this program that we have done twice before. In The Way of the Bard, we create a community of young people who grow together through four of the most important years of their developing lives.

This community is created by invitation only, from children we know and love. Young people who do not live in the area are welcome to join the meetings virtually. In order to become a member of the Bard, each child will need to firmly commit to the ideals and intentions of the group. If at any point during the four years, a Barder becomes less interested, they will be free to leave. This group will do great things because we are all pulling the oars together.

The Bard group meets once a month, usually at Treewild for four hours on a Sunday afternoon. Below you’ll see the schedule.

During these gatherings, we will:

  • Discuss a book
  • Talk about our lives
  • Create art, theater, music…
  • Do something that makes the world a better place

Each summer we have a week-long sleepaway camp, either at Treewild, or on an adventure.

The final adventure for the Way of the Bard is a three-week walking tour in another country. The first Bard group walked across Ireland, the second chose to walk across Wales. This group will make the decision by consensus about where they would like to take a journey. If they choose a country where the language is not English, we’ll prioritize learning that language so we can interact with politeness. To fundraise for the trip, the Barders build a tiny home to raffle.

Bard groups are performance-based, because in performing, whether it is reciting poetry or singing, playing an instrument, or putting on a play, we are not just taking from the community, but giving back.

All our Barders will train in different aspects of performing arts, and by the final year, settle into the roles that feel most comfortable for them

OUTLINE OF THE WAY OF THE BARD:

Year one and two: meet monthly during the school year; discuss a set of books that give us a community vocabulary; learn how to plan and prep meals; get to know each other’s strengths and vulnerabilities and practice being good companions.

We will decide on several projects we can do to assist our community, like creating meals for unhoused families, or doing a coat drive for kids who need warm jackets or knitting hats for babies.

The Barders are always a great support for the Treewild performances:  Borderlands in October and Winterdeep in January.

 

In year 2, we might take a February weekend trip to practice the art of traveling lightly, and to learn something new.

 

In the summers, we will take a week to adventure together. This could be a backpacking trip, a canoe trip, or camping here at Treewild, or at another location. We will get practice getting somewhere using just our own power and become fluent at setting up and breaking down a campsite. We’ll learn how to sleep well with minimal equipment, and how to be supportive of each other so that we become able to push through challenges and find the delight that comes from weathering difficult situations.

 

Year three: we will design and build a tiny house. We will schedule work groups to come regularly to do the many tasks involved in creating the structure. This will be in addition to the Sunday meetings. Then we will raffle it off, and hopefully make the funding we need for our trip.

 

Year four: we will focus on our performances for the journey and planning the trip itself.

As the years go on, the teachers will shift from being designers and directors to becoming supporters and facilitators as the group takes on more responsibilities.

 

BARD TEACHERS

Joplin Wistar and Alison James will lead the Bard. Stepping in as head teachers, we will have two friends who were a part of the 1st Way of the Bard and are now professionals working with Enchantment Camps.

Abi Stanley, she-they
(master’s degree in linguistics, singer, guitarist, avid knitter, skilled in divinations and elvish) and

Arlie Coté, he-they
(master’s degree in play writing, dramaturge, actor, fiddle player, teacher, painter, printmaker, tarot reader.)

Note: Alison and Joplin have been invited to go do an artist residency in Finland, from February to May 2027. Arile and Abi will take lead on those meetings, and Alison and Joplin will zoom in from Finland, hopefully bringing Northern Lights!

 

Cost for Bard

The cost for the school year, pmt. due before the first meeting is $640. This cost includes the book we’re reading, the dinner we make together, and paying the teachers.

The summer week and any winter trips will have their own budgets.

We are careful to keep the budget balanced at our base cost. Any excess that comes in will go to the scholarship fund.

Treewild always has scholarships available for those who cannot participate without financial assistance. Treewild always welcomes gifts to that scholarship fund ^_^

Distance Barders – Bard has always been welcoming of kids who live at a distance from Treewild. You can to join the meeting online, and attend summer week, and any adventure weekends we take. The cost for distance for the school-year meetings will $320. You’ll be responsible for finding a copy of the book to read. For any meeting you are able to make in person, please contribute $40 towards expenses.

Regular Bard meetings happen monthly on Sundays during the school years:

Rough meeting schedule:

  • 3-5pm Bard meeting, go on a walk and talk
  • 5pm Food group makes dinner
  • 5pm           Others work on project
  • 6pm           Dinner
  • 6:30           Food group works on project, others clean up

This first year, the dates will be:

  • October 11th Kick-off Bard meeting at Shelburne Farms
    • Borderlands prep, hang screens, choose books & food groups
  • October 16-18th and 23-25th Borderlands performances – sign up for when you can help
  • November 29th  (if your family is away, excused absence)
    • Discuss Braiding Sweetgrass YA, start service project
  • December 13th Lucia Day – music and candlelight
    • Discuss book TBD, Finish service project   
  • January 9th 3-5 Bard Meeting and book discussion
    • 5-7pm families invited for Tree Burning Party
  • January 29-30th and February 5-6th  Winterdeep performances
  • February 14 Bard meeting from 3-6 and book discussion
    • Skylark House Concert from 6-9pm
    • (Optional, ticket $ extra, families welcome)
  • March 21st Spring Equinox gathering
    • Ritual and magic in the forest   
  • April 11th Bard Meeting and book discussion   
  • May 16th Bard meeting and book discussion
  •  

2027 Summer sleep-away camp tentative dates are June 20-25, but we will discuss with the group before finalizing to be sure all can attend!