Wildheart Nature School Featured in The Bulletin, December 7th, 2016

“‘Hatchet’ Comes to life in survival lesson”

Selected Quotes:

“Surviving being stranded in the wild is a great feat for a child—even greater in the snow. Wendy Pierce’s fourth-grade students from Amnity Creek Magnet School got the opportunity to test their skills last week, building shelters outside at Skyliner Lodge.”

“Outside of the lodge, located west of Bend, children listened intently to Rainbow and Amara Dreamer, the husband and wife founders of Wildheart Nature School.”

“He [Rainbow Dreamer] had showed the children how to place a large support branch, like a back bone, leaning horizontally against a stump or tree. The backbone formed the peak in what would be the roof of the snow shelter. After setting the backbone, the children added ‘ribs’ to form a structure.”

“In the first phase, Rainbow and Amara Dreamer had split the class in half to build two separate shelters, but when it was time to add snow, all of the students worked on one.”

“When it comes to survival, it’s important to choose the options that mean less work, he [Rainbow Dreamer] said. The better shelter was the one that wouldn’t need as much snow to seal it tight.”

“…with the snow shelter complete, before breaking for lunch, the Dreamers let the children take turns crawling inside. They told the students they’d give them an owl signal when their turn was over. Climbing inside, Reggie laid on his back, looking above at the branches that held the tiny home about the size of a small tent, together. ‘Hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo,” Amara Dreamer hooted, cueing him to come out.”

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Wildheart Nature School Featured in The Bulletin, July 9th, 2014

“Nature and magic at Shevlin”

by Monicia Warner

Selected Quotes:

“The camps are run by instructors Amara and Rainbow Dreamer and include arts, crafts, nature games and music to inspire campers’ imagination and love of nature.”

“‘We like to incorporate magic into our camps, and the kids really seem to be drawn to that aspect of being in nature,’ Amara said Monday. ‘Not only do they get to learn, but it’s in the context of making something for these magical creatures.’”

“‘The flow of the day follows a natural progression of the different phases of a cycle,’ Amara said. ‘There’s a ceremonial opening and ceremonial closing and in between we inspire them, activate them, go into focus time and integrate what we’ve learned.’”

“Ali Hemesath, 9, of Bend, has participated in Wildheart home-school classes and said she’s learned a lot about nature through the camps. She even helped identify a strawberry plant. ‘It’s fun spending time with other kids and learning to be respectful to nature,’ she said. ‘I’ve found my favorite camp.’”

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9grnDD4BJvs#t=32]

Wildheart Nature School Featured in The Bulletin, July 3rd, 2013

“Nature camp also has focus on creativity”

by Megan Kohoe

Selected Quotes:

“‘We want kids to feel at home in nature,’ said Amara Dreamer, camp instructor. ‘Not only do we want them to know the name of a plant, but we want them to feel like they’re connected to the plant.’”

“During the weeklong nature-oriented camp, students are learning about nature while simultaneously learning about artistic expression”

“Van Holland, 7, Kai Lewis, 7, and Robby Hunzicker, 8, gathered twigs and rocks to build their nest several feet off the ground on a tree trunk. ‘It’s protected from predators that way,’ Van said. “They can’t get up here.” After precariously balancing bundles of twigs on top of one another, Kai placed three pebbles in the nest to resemble eggs. ‘We named them Avian, Alvin, and Calvin,’ Kai said.”

“Rainbow spoke to them about the importance of leaving no trace behind in the forest.”

“‘We try to draw on the natural interest kids have in nature and build on it. We’re passionate about nature education. For us, this isn’t just a day job.” – Amara Dreamer

Dreamer Leathercraft Featured in The Bulletin, January 5th, 2013

“Moccasin Man”

by Dean Guernsey

This article shows the process that Rainbow Dreamer goes through in order to tan the deer hides and then make them into running moccasins.