About Echoes

History of Echoes

In 1998 Dale Coleman and Goode and Carole Jones decided to start a primitive skills gathering in Oregon, joking seriously about having more people with the same interests to "play with". In the past 10 years they've shared their skills and interests and met many new friends. Dr. Leland Gilsen, former State Archeologist, joined the Echoes team in 2004. Echoes is our hobby and will continue as long as it's fun.

As of June 2010, Dale Coleman is the sole organizer of Echoes.

Classes

Echoes is held in July at Willamette Mission State Park just north of Salem, Oregon. The classes are the heart of the Echoes in Time experience. Many classes will be offered throughout the week. Skills taught by the instructors focus on ancient living techniques but may include the latest in low-impact, appropriate technology.

Workshops range from the impromptu, "Show me how to do that", to involved week-long projects. Classes include displays, lectures & discussions, demonstrations, and lots of hands-on learning. There is no charge for classes but instructors may charge a fee for materials.

What classes are offered at Echoes depends on which instructors are present and what they want to teach. The schedule with classes and signups is listed on a bulletin board in the main camp. In addition, instructors list the classes they are teaching that day during morning announcements. Below is a list of classes offered during Echoes 2009 to give an idea of what sort of skills are taught:

Classes Offered During Echoes 2009
Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
flintknapping bentwood halibut hooks blacksmithing braintanning fish netting inkle loom willow bark plaited pouch felted jewelery edible wandering/edible insects beadwork with seed beads coiled basketry sewn felt boots/mocassins rabbit butchering diaper-free babies drop-spindle spinning traveling museum and library basic trapping	bow drill fire making intuitive herbalism quickie bows fire pistons drum making arrow making blacksmithing atlatl darts oregon grape tincture beading flutes shingle darts primitive paintbrushes rawhide rattles willow baskets cedar bark basket or hat coiled basketry instinctive eating basic fishing basic tracking pottery	arrow making soapstone lamps or paint pots braiding rawhide atlatl throw partnership parenting natural farming tattoo skills earthen oven slate tools blacksmithing wood carving/throwing-stick hunting seed beadwork gourd crafting rewilding communication workshop wool dyes making wines from fruit, flowers, and honey fur trade activity Inuit-style yo-yo buckskin garment talk pottery herbal brewing quickie bows	seaweed harvesting felt carry bags tinder bundles needle felting love flutes compassionate communication sewn felt boots cedar bark basketry awareness skills and navigation willow bark plaited pouch cattail dolls basic fishing willow drying tray wild fungi for food buckskin bags	seed beadwork atlatl throw wild birth felt boots stone knife mounting primitive flintknapping canning edible and medicinal plants wild tea party

If you have a particular field of interest not mentioned here, let us know upon registering and we'll do our best to accommodate your curiosity.

All raw materials required for classes will be brought to the site; gathering of plant, animal, and mineral resources in the park is not permitted.

General Information & Guidelines

Camping

Echoes camping is limited to certain boundaries within the park, so all campers must check in before setting up camp. The park can accomodate trailers and RVs, but hookups are not available.

Cooking

Echoes does not provide meals.

The Filbert Grove picnic shelter serves as a communal cooking and eating area. Electric outlets are available at the shelter, as are propane stoves for cooking. Cooking outside of the picnic shelter is only permitted with portable stoves or in official park fire pits — campfires are not permitted at individual campsites. Potable water is available in the picnic shelter and at several water spigots throughout the site.

Sanitation

Several portable toilets will be available, and there are permanent park restrooms nearby.

There are no showers on site.

The park offers designated trash cans for our use.

Safety

Below are some further guidelines to ensure that Echoes remains safe and enjoyable:

• Campfires are allowed in designated areas only
• Alcohol consumption must be responsible and discreet
• No drugs
• No firearms
• Children must have a parent or guardian (21 or older) in camp at all times
• Parents are responsible for their children when the kids aren't attending classes
• Some activities at Echoes (such as flintknapping and atlatl-throwing) are potentially dangerous, so be alert and use your common sense

Waiver

Registering implies a waiver and release to hosts, Willamette Mission State Park, and sponsors that you will sign upon arrival.

Pets

Pets must be confined by the owner on a leash no more than six feet long and kept under physical control at all times. Park officials will patrol and fine for dogs off leashes. You are reponsible for cleaning up after your pet and for keeping your pet quiet during campground quiet hours (10 PM - 7 AM).

What to Bring

Below is a list of items we suggest you consider bringing to fully enjoy your stay at Echoes:

• Food (Echoes does not serve meals, but water and stoves are available)
• Cooking and eating utensils
• Cash for workshop materials or purchases (Instructors may charge a fee for instruction and/or materials)
• Tent or trailer
• Sleeping bag
• Toiletries, including sunscreen and insect repellant (there are lots of mosquitoes at night)
• First-aid kit
• Flashlight
• Camera
• Tools (instructors should provide tools, but basic tools like a good knife will prove convenient)
• Drums and other musical instruments for around the campfire

This is Oregon, so it's wise to be prepared for rain or sunshine, hot weather or cool. Some years the week has been smotheringly hot, others, relatively cool. A coat will serve you well, especially during the nights when it cools off.

The weather at Echoes 2009 was pretty hot during the day, reaching the 80-90° in the sun. During the afternoon a steady breeze cooled down the air, and each night it became cool.

Kids Program and Youth Camp

Kids must have a parent or adult guardian 21 or older in camp at all times. Parents are responsible for their children when the kids aren't attending classes.

We offer a Kids Program for children under 12 in which our young ones will get the chance to learn some of the same skills as their parents. We also offer Youth Camp for 13- to 18-year-olds to involve them in skills with their peers.

Workshare Program

Echoes offers a workshare program in which students may be given a discounted registration fee in exchange for assistance in setting up camp and other tasks throughout the day. Contact Dale Coleman for more information.

Schedule

Below is the general schedule for Echoes:

Saturday - Instructors Camp
Instructors and Workshare students arrive

Sunday
Students may begin arriving at noon
Camping assignments, registration, and set-up
Student orientation at 7 PM

Monday
Classes start after breakfast
Kid's trade blanket in the evening

Tuesday
Special music from town at night's campfire

Wednesday
Adult trade blanket in the evening

Thursday
Mask and drum night

Friday
Classes will end no later than 5 PM

Saturday
We must be out of the park by noon

Willamette Mission State Park

Willamette Mission State Park is located on the banks of the Willamette River in the heart of Oregon's Willamette Valley, just eight miles north of Salem and only minutes from I-5.

This park features more than 1600 acres of woodlands, wetlands, meadows, and river banks, with old walnut and filbert orchards and working farmland. Attractions at the park include birdwatching, picnicking, fishing, and equestrian, bicycle, and walking trails.

© 2010 Echoes in Time - Page Modified: 04 June, 2010 -