Turtle Island Preserve

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Turtle Island Preserve

Founded by Eustace Conway, Turtle Island Preserve is an Outdoor Education Center We cook on a fire, gathering our own wood.

Turtle Island is located in a remote hidden valley at the end of a long gravel road. Our programs are full of lifestyle practices of earlier people from our great grandparent's time and back into prehistory. We orient to the basic foundation of where things come from and where things go. We plant and harvest in our gardens, milk goats, make bowls, spoons and tools of all size and description. We h

unt and gather wild foods and medicines and natural resources abounding in our huge natural preserve. We completely made the many buildings of our farmstead; carved literally from the wilderness. Accommodations for guests are simple shelters i.e., log houses and primitive tents. We really believe in getting back in touch with the natural world. We use outhouses for our bathrooms and learn to "go outdoors." This is a complete cultural experience not a watered down viewing. When a group comes here it is life changing for them. That is our vision, goal, and success! We get hands on "experiential" activities going whether harnessing a mule or pounding metal at the blacksmith shop or killing a rooster for supper. Some people mistake a description of primitive living with "roughing it" but actually our ancestors moved gracefully with a balanced rhythm through daily economic challenges. It is the sophisticated "modern man" that, in his bumbling ignorance of earlier natural lifestyles, finds himself truly uncomfortably "roughing it" through his inability and discomfort of trying to exist in his "foreign environment" of nature.

16/09/2024

13/09/2024

Fall is here folks...and there is no better time to visit the beauty of Turtle Island. October 18-20 will more than likely be the peak of leaf season in the Blue Ridge mountains...and we have an amazing weekend planned. It's the perfect time to visit. We have "Wine in the Woods" on the evening of the 18th with Susi Gott Seguret to begin our amazing weekend. Peter Yencken will be with us throughout the weekend teaching a "Leather Backpack Class", a "Backpack Basket Workshop" and a "Bow & Arrow Workshop" as well. Paulette Gardner will host a "Cooking Over Fire & Flame" class on the 19th. Her class this Spring was incredible and culminates in a wonderful meal served that evening. To find out more information about all of these offerings, just visit our webpage and click on the Workshop tab. We hope to see you there.

www.turtleislandpreserve.org

08/09/2024

Our "Honoring the Deer" workshop is coming up on September 21-22. It's an awesome workshop, focusing on utilizing the lower leg of the whitetail deer, that is often discarded. By using these often discarded parts...we "honor the deer" and his gift of life to sustain us. You will leave with your own crafted bone tool kit, among other items, such as a hide pouch and thread from sinew. You don't want to miss this one. You can find our more information and register here:

www.turtleislandpreserve.org/honoring-the-deer

06/09/2024

Enjoyed having a great group of students from the O'Neal School visit us today. We shared lots about Turtle Island, our mission, and the traditional skills we teach. Have a great school year, and come back to visit us soon.

02/09/2024

Soooo...our annual "Dinner with Eustace" raffle tickets are now available. The lucky winner not only gets an amazing meal with some great wine, but gets the opportunity to spend some time with the "Mountain Man" himself. Lucie, a guest this year, commented on the evening in a post below this one. Just scroll down and check it out. Just click on our webpage, then click on store and you will see the ticket to purchase. The more tickets you purchase, the better chance you have to win. All proceeds will directly benefit the programming at Turtle Island. Thank you so much for your support.

www.turtleislandpreserve.org

29/08/2024

Turtle Island Preserve is dancing the timeless magic of true, real meaning through the obstacles of chaos presented in our modern world. Our motto, "Simply Real" grounds our focus helping us enrich people's lives. EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE at and with the nuturance of Turtle Island Preserve. Manifest your trip to the island soon.

www.turtleislandpreserve.org

27/08/2024

The Golden Ticket

I had dinner with Eustace Conway! My sister Elizabeth was this year’s raffle winner, and not only did we get a gourmet dinner with Eustace, but we stayed in one of his cabins near Boone! This was a memory of a lifetime.
Far from eating roasted squirrel over a firepit (which my silly brain anticipated), we were treated to live music, homemade cocktails, fine wine, and a gourmet steak dinner from a professional chef right there in the cabin! I was nervous about meeting Eustace, but his big smile and bear hug put me right at ease. He has kind, twinkling eyes, but don’t think Santa Clause, unless your Santa also carries a large, sharp homemade knife in his belt! Sitting down to a dinner of filet mignon and gorgeous sides, (after cocktails and music on the porch) we were able to ask Eustace all the questions we’d stored up from watching the Mountain Men series and listening to his Ted talk. One pearl I came away with is that “Paying Attention” is infinitely greater than Googling if one wants knowledge and wisdom. I learned many other gems from Eustace which I’m still rinsing and polishing.
I’ll forever be grateful that my sister entered that raffle and won the “golden ticket!”

Lucie, 2024 Raffle Dinner guest

23/08/2024

Proud of this young man and wanted to share with all of you. Leo was our Jr. Counselor for Boys Camp this summer and did a great job. He is a great role model and mentor for our campers. We know he is destined for great things. Carry on with the good Leo!

Bees are essential to the planet. Naturalist, Leonidas Bolejack is one of our ReadyXpo instructors. Don't miss the opportunity to learn more! Register at www.readyxpo.com/tickets.

https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/why-bees-are-essential-people-and-planet?fbclid=IwY2xjawEy24ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHZNko9VvFFomhGjxxUTa9yuig36LvlgtdS6JIH_1T39xWo_Ritab22HBVA_aem_VQKLWcnEpsIDXnIBTkFLYw

22/08/2024

Join us, September 21, for a one day exploration of "All Things Fire". Taught by Spencer "TwoDogs" Bolejack, he will lead a small group of adults and mature minors in using friction to generate embers and other lesser known techniques for sustaining a variety of fire types. It's a perfect opportunity to learn and practice a basic survival skill...fire. More information and registration here:

https://www.turtleislandpreserve.org/fire-by-friction-class

11/08/2024

Hey Everyone...we need some help. We're looking for a volunteer who could help with our webpage, which is managed by Square Space. If you are interested in helping out, send us a message. Thanks so much!

10/08/2024

September 21-22...Knife Making with 3 amazing bladesmiths will be happening at Turtle Island Preserve! Robby Bowman, Cheyenne Brown and Dustin Rhodes will be at our forges. It's a rare opportunity folks to learn from the best. Check out the video from last years event and listen as Eustace talks about forging with copper. Wonderful meals are included as well as rustic accommodations...or you can opt to just come for each day. If you are local to the area, contact us. We have a special discount just for you. You can register here:

https://www.turtleislandpreserve.org/knife-making-workshop

08/08/2024

Eustace shares some important information about blacksmithing at our recent Family Camp. There is always lots of learning taking place during our various camps…in lots of different formats. Visit our website to learn about our Fall classes.

www.turtleislandpreserve.org

30/07/2024

Father-Son Camp was awesome this year! We wanted to share the words from one of our Dads:

"Turtle Island Father Son camp was an amazing experience for my son and I. The relaxed vibe of the site was perfect for a comfortable learning experience. We loved roaming around the property and exploring all of the unique buildings and historical tools. Learning how each was built by hand and over time by need was so great. Playing in the creek and sleeping by the running water was epic. Learning about all of the different trees, plants and animals and how they can be used was great to better understand how humans can work with and live off the land. Overall, an amazing experience for any father looking to bond with his son over a few days out in the woods!"
J. Christensen, 2024

Our dates for 2025 are July 10-13. SAVE THE DATE and be sure and join us next time!

21/07/2024

Our Fall Workshops begin with an amazing opportunity the weekend of September 20-22. THREE workshops packed into 1 weekend...Hide Tanning , Honoring the Deer and Knife Making Mountain Metal Craft with Robby Bowman, @cheyenne.brown.95 and Dustin Rhodes Forge Works/Forge a Memory. We have these amazing artisans lined up, ready to teach and share with all of you. All workshops feature amazing meals cooked onsite over wood burning fires and rustic housing in our beautiful, hand built Adirondack shelters. Come join us. More information including how to register for each workshop can be found on our website:

www.turtleislandpreserve.org

15/07/2024

A little music this morning to begin your day...courtesy of our Father-Son campers. ENJOY!

15/07/2024

Father-Son Camp 2024 is a wrap...and it was packed full of learning, growing, bonding, yummy food and just plain fun! Primitive craftsmanship using a knife was taught. Using bamboo and wood, we made tools and hunting implements. We learned to make fire and practiced those skills, we had morning silence time, learned how to drum as a group, had amazing meals, campfires at night, and faced our fears during a night hike by learning to feel the trail....and lots more. Our final evening together ended in an amazing musical concert. Amazing teachers and leaders Bolejack, Jeremy Crosby and Jenny Waters.

12/07/2024

Father-Son Camp is off to a great beginning…learning and growing together!

11/07/2024

Father-Son Camp has begun and we are excited to have these good folks with us! Lots of activities are planned as well as special times together.

06/07/2024

Our Older Boys Camp is coming to a close...and we're thankful for so many things...most especially our supportive parents who believe in our mission and teachings and put their total trust in us. Our last days were spent flint knapping, learning all about fire and wood, blacksmithing, planting American Chestnut trees, hiking, solo time, creek swimming...and so much more.

01/07/2024

Glimpses of our horsemanship classes today with Spencer Brill. Our campers loved working with our new baby c**t.

01/07/2024

Our campers had a wonderful session today with Spencer an amazing teacher, friend and volunteer of ours who came to teach horsemanship. Spencer shared the importance of developing honorable life skills and valuable life lessons. Enjoy, his words as he shares his experience at Turtle Island......we are so lucky to have him!

29/06/2024

Father Son Camp is fast approaching and we have an amazing program waiting for those folks who have registered. We've had some last minute requests...so we have opened up one additional spot for a family. First come- first serve...hope to see you there!

www.turtleislandpreserve.org/father-son-camp

22/06/2024

Young Boys Camp 2024 is a wrap...and what a camp it was! Personal growth in these young fellas from day 1 to day 7 was amazing! We are so proud of them. They stepped out of their "comfort zones", tried new experiences, and became all the better for it. Parents, we are sure they will have many stories to share. Enjoy their stories and know that we enjoyed creating each of these stories with them. We will miss each of these boys...and hope to see them back at Turtle Island in the summer of 2025.❤

21/06/2024

Parents, we appreciate you sharing your wonderful campers with us! It's been a wonderful process and much personal growth. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

21/06/2024

How can it be Thursday already? It’s been a great week at camp…here’s just a glimpse into our time together!

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Videos

September 21-22...Knife Making with 3 amazing bladesmiths will be happening at Turtle Island Preserve! Robby Bowman, Cheyenne Brown and Dustin Rhodes will be at our forges. It's a rare opportunity folks to learn from the best. Check out the video from last years event and listen as Eustace talks about forging with copper. Wonderful meals are included as well as rustic accommodations...or you can opt to just come for each day. If you are local to the area, contact us. We have a special discount just for you. You can register here: https://www.turtleislandpreserve.org/knife-making-workshop #forgedinfire #bladesmiths #knifemaking #hotmetal #hammeredout #personalagrowth #offgrid #naturepreserve #workshops #learning #artisans

Family Camp 2024 is in the books! So much learning, growing, exploring, adventuring and bonding going on…we hope you can join us in 2025. Many, many thanks go to the parents and their kids, our staff and our volunteers all of whom made this an amazing camp! #personalgrowth #nonprofit #naturepreserve #adventure #familycamp #offgrid #bondingtime

A little music this morning to begin your day...courtesy of our Father-Son campers. ENJOY!

Sights and sounds of a busy day at the forge during the final days of Older Boys Camp.

Parents, we appreciate you sharing your wonderful campers with us! It's been a wonderful process and much personal growth. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow. #summercamps #earthskills #poplarbark #funtoo #guidance #personalgrowth #berrybasket

Young Boys Camp 2024

Summer Camp has officially begun. Our staff welcomed our younger boys today and we are excited for the week ahead. Personal growth is our mission. We strive to instill life lessons in each of our campers that will encourage them to become strong, capable young men who contribute positively to their community and our culture. Older Boys Camp starts next week and we have a few openings. If you would like more information, you will find it here: www.turtleislandpreserve.org #personalgrowth #learning #lifelessons #noscreens #naturepreserve #lifechanging #lifeskills #guidance #mentors #tradition #blueridgemountains #nature #naturalworld

Family Camp is coming up August 1-4 and it's such a great time to reconnect. We keep it small and intimate for that reason. 5 families max and we have room for 1 more. It's a great way to end the summer! Here's a glimpse of an evening campfire...we would love for you to join us!!! Details and registration info here: https://www.turtleislandpreserve.org/family-camp #familytime #reconnect #familyaffair #natureconnection #noscreens #conversations #personalgrowth #memoriestogether #learning

Amazing weekend with Basic Blacksmithing and Cooking with Fire and Flame…join us next time! #turtleislandpreserve #nonprofit #workshops2024 #handsonlearning #handsonlearning #offgrid #naturepreserve

Volunteers...the heart of Turtle Island

Our volunteers are the heart of Turtle Island...we just couldn't do it without them. They give of their time and energy to help us keep our non-profit going. We are always seeking good folks who support our mission to join our crew. Meet Tiff, a brand new volunteer as she shares her experience. If you're interested just get in touch by email, phone, text or pony express! We'd love to have you. www.turtleislandpreserve.org/volunteer-program #volunteer #nonprofit #giving #support #givingback #communitybuilding #naturepreserve #offgrid #contribute