Get Back to the Nature of Firefly Gathering
“The Firefly Gathering helps people to deepen and expand their connection with the natural world through providing Earth Skills education, networking, and good, old fashioned fun by the fire.”
The Firefly Gathering is a four-day event that focuses on the instruction of “Earth Skills.” Earth Skills can be anything from wilderness survival techniques to sustainable food-growing practices. The Firefly Gathering hopes to educate the public about reconnecting with nature and working with the earth in a harmonious way.
The gathering is held July 22 to 25 just outside of Asheville, N.C., and features over 100 classes taught by more than 40 experienced teachers. The classes cover a wide variety of fun, interesting, and most importantly useful skills, including fire building, bow making, solar energy, natural building, herbal medicine, blacksmithing and more.
Among the many knowledgeable instructors are naturalist and storyteller Doug Elliot, Natalie Bogwalker of Wild Abundance, and musician and flute maker Hawk Hurst.
To find out more about registration, costs, and lodgings, visit FireflyGathering.org
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