Lake Superior: The Good Life (4-Week Sample Itinerary)
The following is a sample itinerary based on past courses; actual itineraries may vary.
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Week 1
We begin our journey deep in the mixed hardwood forests of the Chequamegon Bay, in a hundred-year old farmhouse surrounded by sun-soaked fields and winding footpaths. Our group comes together to form a culture of trust and collective vision for a profound journey into this remote corner of the world. While hosted at Potter's Farm retreat, we begin to unveil the themes of our course—Ojibwe culture, alternative lifestyles, and relations to land, through focused visits to surrounding farms, fisheries, beaches, and organizations doing social and environmental justice work. Apart from the setting the foundation for our course, we'll also explore the diversity and beauty of the communities and landscape along the shores of the Gitchigami. -
Week 2
Moving from our wooded farm to a group campsite along the shores of the mighty Lake Superior, we turn our focus to Ojibwe culture and history, and the traditional ways that continue today. Through forays into the forest to hunt wild foods and medicines, learning to build with local materials, tracking animals, and working with hand tools, we fall into a daily rhythm of life not dissimilar from those who lived here thousands of years ago. During this time we also focus on Ojibwe Language learning and storytelling, working with indigenous elders and teachers to learn more about life in contemporary Ojibwe communities. -
Week 3
From our shoreline camp, we move to a permaculture education center and family homestead to explore in greater depths the art of agriculture, soil health, medicine-making, and a slew of skills related to homesteading, and regenerative agricultural practices. During this time, we expand our conversations on land stewardship to meet with local Tribal fisheries, loggers, and commercial farmers. We also have the chance to connect with artisans of the area, from bicycle frame builders, to ceramicists and weavers. Harvesting and preparing foods from the farm, we continue conversations about food and the direct link between us and the earth it represents.. -
Week 4
The culminating chapter of our journey takes us into a spectacular expanse of wilderness, across the moody waters of lake superior and into the Apostle Islands. Working with local education and guiding company Lost Creek Adventures, we'll build competency and leadership skills through an extended sea kayaking excursion, island hopping through the park to camp on wilderness beaches and hike through pristine hardwood forests. This seldom visited stretch of paradise inspires a newfound awe for the spirit of the Lake in its many faces. Returning to the mainland we find our way back to Potter's Farm, and settle back into our cozy farmhouse to tell stories, rest, and prepare for the imminent journey home.
