Horse Connection & Communication Workshops
This unusual summer gives us an opportunity to try out some new things, including a different kind of horse program. This one is for adults and older teens who are interested in going "beyond riding" and deepening in their relationship to these wonderful animals (and themselves, too). We may ride a little, but the focus will be on connection and reflection. Workshops will be led by Matney Cook of Hoofbeat Attunement.
DETAILS:
-Participants will arrive Thursday mid-day and depart Sunday mid-day.
-Two workshops offered: July 16-16 and August 13-16.
-All meals will be provided (Thursday dinner-Sunday lunch).
-Lodging will be tent camping.
-Cost is $500/person--scholarships available.
-Participants must be 15+. Minors must be accompanied by an adult, who could be participating in the Horse Workshop too, OR be part of the Family Retreat.
-No prior horse experience required.
-Workshop will overlap with family camping weekends and will be limited to 4-6 participants.
-Participants will practice physical distancing from staff and each other...but not from the horses. :)
Click Here to apply for a horse workshop, or email Caitlin, summercamp@ekone.org, for more information.
|
|
Camp & Programs Update
It was heartbreaking to cancel summer camp, especially knowing that kids and families need it now more than ever. But as the summer progresses, we're affirmed in the decision. You can read more about how we arrived at the decision, and coached our summer campers through grief, Here.
While camp-as-usual can't happen this summer, we still want to share this land with people in ways that are appropriate and responsive to the great need for community, spaciousness, and connection to the earth. We're now doing small-group, physically-distant family retreats and teen camps. They filled almost immediately by the families and teens whose camps were cancelled--we would have loved to extend the invitation to more of you! If you're interested in being on a waitlist in case of cancellations, please email Caitlin, summercamp@ekone.org.
|
|
Black Lives Matter
Last weekend, on Juneteenth and the day following, 23 board members, staff, and volunteers gathered at Ekone (with distancing and masks) and shared time in Council, sitting in solidarity with the movement for Black lives, and looking inward and ahead to the work of Ekone Ranch with a sharpened focus on anti-racism. We gladly embrace the crucible of this time, and are gaining clarity on the work ahead.
Here's our public statement, if you missed it. There will be more to come, as we reckon with Ekone's role in ending and healing the generations of oppression and genocide that this nation was founded on. We want to be accountable to this work, and to you, our community, and will stay in touch as we continue to engage for the long haul. We welcome your input and would love to hear from you.
|
|
Zephyr is One Year Old
Our darling filly Zephyr, the first horse born at Ekone in over a decade, is now a yearling! And last week we completed a month-long weaning process, of gradually and gently separating her from her mama Little Foot.
Zephyr is smart, handsome, willing, and sassy like a yearling should be! With weaning behind us, we'll start working with her more soon, and bringing her along for trail rides on a lead line this summer. She was good for her first hoof trimming, with lots of scratching all the itchy spots!
|
|
Land for Sale
We try to occasionally let you know when there's land for sale in the Ekone neighborhood--we'd love to have more conservation-minded neighbors and land stewards around Sacred Earth Foundation!
There are currently a few For Sale signs along Harbison Rd adjacent to the ranch, parcels that cross the Ekone creek drainage and run along Rock Creek Canyon. Other properties come up for sale with some regularity. Please let us know if you're curious, and we can put you in touch with our favorite local realtor for more information.
|
|
|
|
Herd Dynamics
|
|
Ekone At Home
We know that not everyone gets to come to Ekone this summer, but we want to stay connected and get some Ekone learning and magic into your daily life!
We've now produced 11 great "Ekone At Home" lessons, with fun videos and prompts for things you can do at home. Here's the Herd Dynamics lesson that goes with the video above, and here's the Ekone At Home page with all the rest. Please just let Michelle, michelle@ekone.org, know if you'd like to get each lesson emailed directly to you as they are released.
|
|
Around the Ranch
The Ekone crew has grown in recent weeks, with an influx of volunteers and summer staff. We're all working out the new systems together, including finding creative places for physically distanced meetings--the barn is our favorite on windy or rainy days! Caitlin is running the summer show, making alllll the lists and schedules. Jenna is getting people on horseback at every opportunity, with a slower pace that humans and horses are appreciating. Michelle is immersed in wrangling teenagers, keeping them busy and getting tons done around the ranch. Chris is spending less time in the kitchen and more time in the garden. Shawn is putting the final polish on the Bunkhouse--stay tuned for more about that in a Straight From The Saddle newsletter coming soon. Liz is interviewing architects for the new Yummy Tummy Cafe. Jodie is taking more and more leadership with the Conservation Burial Alliance. Shonie is working on a Murdock Charitable Trust grant application and pondering the next $1 million needed for Saddle Up!. Rivers and Dani are headed off to their next adventures, after 14 months of hard work and heartful service to Ekone, with our great gratitude forever.
Sending you starry skies full of love from Ekone Ranch! We're keeping the lights on for you. ♥
|
|
|
|
|
