🌿 Event: Volunteer Weekend: September 7th-8th
📅 Dates: Saturday, September 7th – Sunday, September 8th, 2024
🕘 Time: Beginning at 9:00 AM on Saturday and concluding at 2:00 PM on Sunday
🏞️ Location: Taino Woods Sanctuary, 302 Big Woods Rd, Harris, NY 12742

As we move into the heart of the fall season, it’s time to prepare our sacred spaces for the upcoming ceremonies and gatherings. Join us for a hands-on volunteer weekend focused on splitting and gathering wood for our lodges and ceremonies, as well as tending to the paths and preparing the land for the lodge build.

During this weekend, we will:

• Split and Gather Wood: Our primary focus will be cutting and splitting wood to ensure we have enough for the lodges and ceremonies throughout the rest of the season.
• Tend to the Paths: We’ll be addressing any discrepancies in the paths, ensuring they are safe and clear for the upcoming gatherings.
• Gather Twigs and Branches: We’ll be gathering twigs and branches to be soaked and prepared for the lodge build the following weekend.
• Land Tending: We will tend to the land around the lodge to ensure a smooth and efficient build.

What to Bring: 

• Work Clothes: Sturdy boots, gloves, and layers appropriate for outdoor work.

• Sacred Gifts: Items like tobacco, cedar, lavender, or prayer ties, to offer if you feel called to.

• Camping Gear:

• If you have your own tent, please bring it along with a sleeping bag and any personal camping items you may need.

• Communal Tent Option: If you don’t have your own tent, no worries! We now offer a communal tent area with space for up to 5 people per tent. Be sure to bring your own sleeping bag, pillow, and any personal bedding to make your stay comfortable.

• Private Camping: If you prefer more privacy, you can book a private camping spot through our HipCamp listing. Click here to reserve your spot in advance and enjoy a more secluded camping experience.

• Food and Water:

• Please bring your own meals and snacks for the weekend.

• Don’t forget to bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated!

Registration and Participation:

Secure your spot by registering online. Registration closes on Wednesday, September 4th. Your participation is vital to our ability to prepare the land for the ceremonies and gatherings to come.

Volunteer Liability Agreement:

All participants are required to sign the 2024 Volunteer Liability Agreement before attending. This agreement ensures your safety and is valid for the entire calendar year. If you haven’t already completed it, please do so before your arrival.

Contact Us:For any questions or additional information, please reach out to us at: events@tainowoods.com.

🌱 Event: Volunteer Weekend & Lakota Inipi Lodge Build
📅 Date: Saturday, September 14th – Sunday, September 15th, 2024
🕘 Time: Starting at 9:00 AM on Saturday until 2:00 PM on Sunday
🏞️ Location: Taino Woods Sanctuary, 302 Big Woods Rd, Harris, NY 12742

Join us for a powerful weekend of service and spiritual connection as we come together to build a new Lakota Inipi Lodge at the top of the Land. This sacred space will replace the previous lodge, which was lovingly used and burned at the end of our first annual Nature Quest Fast in August.

During this weekend, we will use the soaked saplings and branches prepared from the previous weekend, along with prayer ties, to construct the lodge. This process is a prayerful act, grounded in the sacred teachings of the Lakota tradition. Once the lodge is complete, we will gather for a purification lodge ceremony to bless the new space and purify our spirits.

What to Bring: 

• Work Clothes: Sturdy boots, gloves, and layers appropriate for outdoor work.

• Ceremonial Wear: Modest attire for any lodge or ceremony (Click here to learn more about the history, traditions, and ceremonial wear of a purification lodge).

• Sacred Gifts: Items like tobacco, cedar, lavender, or prayer ties, to offer during ceremonies.

• Camping Gear:

• If you have your own tent, please bring it along with a sleeping bag and any personal camping items you may need.

• Communal Tent Option: If you don’t have your own tent, no worries! We now offer a communal tent area with space for up to 5 people per tent. Be sure to bring your own sleeping bag, pillow, and any personal bedding to make your stay comfortable.

• Private Camping: If you prefer more privacy, you can book a private camping spot through our HipCamp listing. Click here to reserve your spot in advance and enjoy a more secluded camping experience.

• Food and Water:

• Please bring your own meals and snacks for the weekend.

• Don’t forget to bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated!

• Communal Meal: As part of the purification lodge ceremony’s closing, we will share a communal meal. Please bring a dish to contribute to this sacred meal.

Registration, Participation, and Ceremony Details:

Secure your spot by registering online. Registration closes on Wednesday, September 11th.

All participants are required to complete the 2024 Volunteer Liability Agreement and the 2024 Purification Lodge Annual Agreement before attending. These agreements ensure your safety and are valid for one calendar year. 

To better understand the significance and traditions of the purification lodge, we invite you to review our Guanara Lodge Information Packet, which provides detailed insights into the ceremony.

Love Exchange and Donations:

As part of the communal spirit and to support the ongoing efforts of Taino Woods Sanctuary, we kindly request a suggested donation of $50 per person to participate in the purification lodge. Your contributions help us sustain and nurture this sacred space. Click here to donate.

We look forward to your presence and energy as we build this sacred space and purify our spirits together.

Event Details:

🌿 Event: Fall Equinox Prayer and Purification Lodge
📅 Dates: Friday, October 4th – Sunday, October 6th, 2024
🕘 Time: Beginning at 5:00 PM on Friday and concluding at 2:00 PM on Sunday
🏞️ Location: Taino Woods Sanctuary, 302 Big Woods Rd, Harris, NY 12742

Join us for a profound and transformative Fall Equinox Prayer and Purification Lodge with the esteemed Behike Miguel Sague. This sacred ceremony offers a unique opportunity to connect deeply with the rhythms of the Earth and the cycles of Life, Death, and Rebirth.

As we honor the Fall Equinox, we recognize the pivotal moment in the ceremonial cycle of the cemies, where Yoka Hu, the male spirit of Energy and Life, completes his journey. This powerful gathering symbolizes the transition of Yoka Hu, who is born at the Spring Equinox, matures at the Summer Solstice, and ultimately descends to the watery underworld at the Autumnal Equinox.

During this ceremony, we will gather to participate in the traditional Taino purification lodge, a sacred space for prayer, healing, and renewal. The gathering will also feature the sharing of sacred foods such as green squash, black beans, cassava, and corn, which hold deep cultural and spiritual significance within the Taino Medicine Wheel.

Ceremony Highlights:

• Friday, October 4th: Arrival and gathering at Taino Woods Sanctuary. Introduction to the ceremony and community sharing.
• Saturday, October 5th: Fall Equinox Prayer and Purification Lodge led by Behike Miguel Sague. Sacred rituals and communal prayer.
• Sunday, October 6th: Closing ceremonies and reflections. Departure by 2:00 PM.

What to Bring: 

• Work Clothes: Sturdy boots, gloves, and layers appropriate for outdoor work.

• Ceremonial Wear: Modest attire for any lodge or ceremony (Click here to learn more about the history, traditions, and ceremonial wear of a purification lodge).

• Sacred Gifts: Items like tobacco, cedar, lavender, or prayer ties, to offer during ceremonies.

• Camping Gear:

• If you have your own tent, please bring it along with a sleeping bag and any personal camping items you may need.

• Communal Tent Option: If you don’t have your own tent, no worries! We now offer a communal tent area with space for up to 5 people per tent. Be sure to bring your own sleeping bag, pillow, and any personal bedding to make your stay comfortable.

• Private Camping: If you prefer more privacy, you can book a private camping spot through our HipCamp listing. Click here to reserve your spot in advance and enjoy a more secluded camping experience.

• Food and Water:

• Please bring your own meals and snacks for the weekend.

• Don’t forget to bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated!

• Communal Meal: As part of the purification lodge ceremony’s closing, we will share a communal meal. Please bring a dish to contribute to this sacred meal.

Registration and Donations:
Secure your spot by registering online. Registration closes on Wednesday, October 2nd. 

A suggested donation of $75 per person per day, $125 per person for the weekend, or $175 for a family of four is requested to support the communal spirit and the ongoing efforts of Taino Woods Sanctuary; donate today. 

Mandatory Agreements:
All participants are required to complete the 2024 Ceremony Annual Agreement and the 2024 Purification Lodge Annual Agreement before attending. These agreements ensure your safety and are valid for one calendar year. Please fill out these forms before attending the gathering.

Contact Us:
For any questions or additional information, please reach out to us at: events@tainowoods.com.

🌱 Event: Volunteer Weekend: Preparing the Land for Winter
📅 Date: Saturday, October 19th – Sunday, October 20th, 2024
🕘 Time: Starting at 9:00 AM on Saturday until 2:00 PM on Sunday
🏞️ Location: Taino Woods Sanctuary, 302 Big Woods Rd, Harris, NY 12742

Join us for a vital weekend of service as we prepare Taino Woods Sanctuary for the coming winter months. Our focus will be on tending to the paths, cutting and splitting wood, and weed-whacking any overgrown areas to ensure easier accessibility across the Land. These efforts are essential to maintain our sacred spaces and ensure that the sanctuary remains a welcoming and safe environment for all who visit during the colder months.

What to Bring: 

• Work Clothes: Sturdy boots, gloves, and layers appropriate for outdoor work.

• Sacred Gifts: Items like tobacco, cedar, lavender, or prayer ties, to offer if you feel called to.

• Camping Gear:

• If you have your own tent, please bring it along with a sleeping bag and any personal camping items you may need.

• Communal Tent Option: If you don’t have your own tent, no worries! We now offer a communal tent area with space for up to 5 people per tent. Be sure to bring your own sleeping bag, pillow, and any personal bedding to make your stay comfortable.

• Private Camping: If you prefer more privacy, you can book a private camping spot through our HipCamp listing. Click here to reserve your spot in advance and enjoy a more secluded camping experience.

• Food and Water:

• Please bring your own meals and snacks for the weekend.

• Don’t forget to bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated!

Registration and Participation Details:

Secure your spot by registering online. Registration closes on Wednesday, October 16th.

All participants are required to complete the 2024 Volunteer Liability Agreement before attending. This agreement ensures your safety and is valid for one calendar year.

Support Our Efforts:

Your contributions help sustain and nurture Taino Woods Sanctuary. If you’re unable to attend but would like to support our efforts, we welcome donations to help us continue our work. You can make your donation here.

Contact Us:
For any questions or additional information, please reach out to us at: events@tainowoods.com.

🌱 Event: Two-Day Natural Soap-Making Workshop & Overnight Retreat
📅 Date: Saturday, October 26th – Sunday, October 27th, 2024
🕘 Time: Starting at 9:00 AM on Saturday until 12:00 PM on Sunday
🏞️ Location: Taino Woods Sanctuary, 302 Big Woods Rd, Harris, NY 12742

Join us for a unique overnight experience where you’ll dive into the art of natural soap-making and enjoy the communal warmth of shared spaces at Taino Woods Sanctuary. This two-day workshop is perfect for those looking to learn the craft of soap-making in a serene and supportive environment.

Throughout the weekend, you’ll be guided through each step of the soap-making process, from heating and mixing to curing and cutting your own soap loaf. By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with nine beautifully crafted bars of natural soap, along with the knowledge and confidence to continue making soap on your own.

What to Expect:

Day 1: Introduction and Hands-On Soap Making

• Welcome and Introduction: Kick off with an overview of the workshop and a brief history of soap making.
• Preparation: Review the materials and learn essential safety instructions, especially for handling lye.
• Heating and Measuring: Heat oils and measure them into your bowl.
• Lye Solution: Work with the pre-mixed lye and water solution.
• Mixing: Combine the lye solution with oils, blend, and add your essential oil for scent.
• Pouring and Setting: Pour your soap batter into molds and let it set overnight.
• Wrap-Up: Review key concepts and participate in a Q&A session.

Day 2: Cutting and Final Touches

• Unmolding and Cutting: Unmold your soap and cut it into bars.
• Curing: Place your soap bars in boxes for curing.
• Wrap-Up and Review: Discuss the curing process, care for your soap, and wrap up with any final questions.
• Goodbye: Take home your soap loaf, bowl, and mold, and share feedback.

What to Bring:

• Hand Blender: Recommended Hand Blender for quick and easy purchase.
• Long Sleeve Shirt: For protection during soap-making.
• Eye Protection: Recommended Safety Goggles to keep your eyes safe while working with lye.
• Whisk and Rubber Spatula: For mixing and pouring your soap batter.
• A Sleeping Bag: For your comfort in the communal tents.

Materials Provided:

• Oils (lard/tallow)
• Essential oil (tea tree)
• Pre-mixed lye and water solution
• Soap molds and boxes

Meals and Accommodations:

We provide breakfast for both days, and you’ll enjoy the warmth of communal tents, each accommodating up to 5 people. We kindly ask participants to bring their own lunch and contribute to a potluck dinner on Saturday evening. If preferred, we can provide all meals for an additional fee. Let us know your preference when registering.

Registration and Fees:

• Registration Fee: $140 per person, which includes all materials, breakfast both days, and shared tent accommodations. Pay Here.
• Register By: Wednesday, October 22nd, 2024.

Limited to 10 participants.