I unfortunately didn’t take any photos, but wanted to post and say thanks so much to Jamie and all the folks at his club, Algonquin Archers. As always, they did a fantastic job on the NEPSG, which was held on their club grounds in Woodbury, CT. This was I think my 5th time coming, and it was a great time. The weather was a bit wet, and at one point, there was a strong downpour, but everyone just moved into the club building and kept working until the rain ended. A bunch of kids were at this, and the folks helping them get started on bow making were great. I think there were 4 or 5 shaving horses on hand, as well as enough hand tools that no one went without.
They had an indoor cordage making class using dogbane that was very well intended, and another club member taught net making.
Later, after it was dryer, everyone moved back outside. There was lots of fire making going on, including some techniques I have never seen from the Philippines and the southwestern US that uses bamboo and a type of yucca. I taught a couple of folks how to use flint and steel and char cloth, and someone’s son showed us an even better way of placing the char cloth right on the flint
Rick J. showed me a great hand drill technique, so now I just have to get practicing to master that skill.
The other activity I chose (surprise) was making a new bow. The club provided very nice red elm staves, and I have a new Tybrind Vig at the early floor tiller stage. Elm is the correct wood for a replica of this bow, and I am hoping to get this to pull 27” at 60#.
Instructors from the Maine Primitive Skills School were there, and were all great to talk to, and learn from.
Other activities Saturday were an edible plant walk and split ash basket making. Gary Knoff (spelling, and I apologize) and his wife Linda showed up and gave some great instruction on making atlatls and darts, and helped some kids make their own equipment. The club also had a nice 30 target 3D course set up. Rick and I shot half the course along with his son Aaron, a terrific and really cute kid. He had a beautifully-made little long bow and set of arrows with 2-feather fletching Rick made for him, and considering his size and the range he was shooting, he did better than us.
Neither of us managed to loose any arrows, always a big deal for me, and while I didn’t shoot at Olympic level, I hit more than I missed (except for the stupid alligator and bunny targets. They kept moving from my arrows, lol).
Jamie was around the whole day making sure everyone was set and having fun, and he cooked up a mess of wild boar for dinner, which was awesome. The rest of dinner was a green salad, venison with ziti and rolls. The end of the evening ended with a camp fire with lots of folks hanging out.
I like that I am starting to get to know the participants, so it felt like coming home to this event. Some years there is a large attendance, while others have less bodies but no less fun and value. Probably, a bit smaller group of attendees makes for a more relaxed event with more individual instructor time if you need it.
I got out of there around 10 PM, and wished I could have stayed and camped and spend the next day there. For certain, I am keeping that weekend open for next year.
Dane
