Sunday, March 4, 2018

Bois D' Arc Primitive Skills Camp & Knap In

I had been looking at the Bois D' Arc Primitive Skills Camp & Knap-In for a few years, and finally had the chance to attend in September of 2017.  What a great setting, in a dale at the historic Hulston Mill, near Greenfield, Missouri.  IHALA (Interior Highlands Ancestral Lifeways Association), founded by primitive skill enthusiast, Bo Brown, hosts this annual event - now numbering 20 years.  This is a gathering of several hundred flintknappers, vendors, and primitive skill artisans, open to the public.  Students gathered in the morning, over a three day period, to sign up for classes - available were flintknapping, bow making, primitive fishing technics, edible and medicinal plants, traps & snares, edible insects, darts & atlatls, basketry, etc.  There was a little bit of something for everyone.The evenings were filled with laughter and music, as musicians and drumming circles played into the night.  The local historic society, which maintains the Hulston Mill, runs a snack shack for anyone wanting to buy a meal, drinks, or ice. The camping area is abundant with plenty of room for some seclusion.  The 21st annual is scheduled for September 28 - 30, 2018.  Check out their website at: http://boisdarc.info/

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