ALL THINGS PASS APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

SUMMER 2008

 

 

Dear Prospective ATP Apprentice:

 

Given your interest in The All Things Pass Apprenticeship Program for the Summer 2008, you are being offered two options for the ATP PHASE ONE: a Journalism Only option and the Journalism + Farming option. These are described on the following page(s). There will be no short program.

 

This is a full summer program requiring participation with the group on six weekends, with the possibility of group field trips or missions in between. Otherwise, the two options differ in their expectations, costs, and requirements, mostly due to the housing options and the remaining non-weekend time.

 

The journalism program includes group interaction, personal exploration, independent initiative, and group presentation. You are referred to the description on my web site for details as they exist at this point. It is expected that there will be guest visitors offering unique perspectives and challenges; these will be defined after applications have been received and participation finalized. There will also be films, discussions, and active outdoor/field work. Each MODULE will build on previous issues and explorations, and will introduce new themes and topics. Some MODULES will involve experiential processes designed to bring participants into greater self and group awareness, to address self-realization, personal healing and consciousness.

 

As previously articulated, each participant will be expected to choose a FOCUS PROJECT as their specific assignment to be completed during the program. Participants will be expected to have chosen their subject FOCUS area by the beginning of MODULE ONE, where they will explain their project as they envision it to the other members of the group, receive feedback, defend their proposed methods for investigation, and benefit from group brainstorming. Every participant will briefly present an update on their project successes, difficulties, roadblocks, etc, and receive feedback and insights, during each of the six MODULES. A list of topics available for FOCUS PROJECTS will be provided well in advance, and proposals from participants will also be entertained provided they are feasible, journalistically realizable, and suitably provocative. Expectations? Worthy of Project Censored nominations.

 

NOTE: The FOCUS PROJECT is no simulation: these will be actual assignments of guerilla journalism and reporting with heart, putting principles into action. The assignments will be tough, demanding and rigorous, the expectations for achievement will be high, and this may and may not involve firm deadlines. You will be seriously challenged and the reward will be commensurate with the output. You will at times be given partner assignments and group assignments to be completed on deadlines.

 

The journalism apprenticeship program will follow the schedule set forth below. This is an experiential program, and a work in progress. The experiential piece is up to everyone involved, demanding personal responsibility, initiative, listening, communication, but more than anything it requires that participants show up and be fully present and committed. It is my expectation that we will form a very tightly bonded group, thus enhancing this experience. In this way we will mutually benefit from some peopleÕs gifts and experience at some times, and other peopleÕs gifts and experience at other times, and weaknesses and strengths will be identified and, one would hope, mitigated and enhanced.

 

THIS ATP APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM SHOULD NOT BE SEEN AS A CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE BUT AS AN EXPERIENTIAL PILGRIMAGE INTO AWAKENING SELF, COMMUNITY AND PLANET THAT IS CO-CREATED BY THE PARTICIPANTS AND WITH UNPREDICTABLE ELEMENTS AND OUTCOMES THAT CANNOT BE MEASURED.

 

Please note that any further involvement or field work with me will not be considered unless the ATP PHASE ONE is completed successfully. There will be no exceptions. PHASE TWO will involve a three week field project in a difficult working situation. PHASE TWO could happen sooner, or later, and will be open to discussion. PHASE THREE (should this level be attained) will entail working cooperatively with me in an emergency, conflict or post-conflict situation.

 

If you are interested in this program please request the APPLICATIONS PACKAGE by email ASAP.

I sincerely hope that you find this information explanatory and complete but would be happy to answer any questions. Please communicate by email only. Please use: keith@allthingspass.com .

 

Blessings

keith

 

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APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM SPECIFICS

 

PROGRAM LOCATION: Williamsburg Massachusetts Five College Area of the Pioneer Valley.

 

SCHEDULE:

á      APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Eight people have signed up for the ATP Summer 2008 program. Thus the applications period remains open briefly but will close soon. The initial deadlines of 15 January 2008 were to be able to determine if the interest and commitment was sufficient to run this program.

á      PAYMENT OF FEES:

15 January 2008:         50% of program option to secure your space in this program.

15 March 2008:           25% of remaining fees due.

01 June 2008:              Final payment due.

á      PROGRAM: June-August 2008

June     1-5                   Orientation

June     6-8                   Module One: TBD

June     20-22               Module Two: TBD

July     27-29               Module Three: TBD

July     11-13               Module Four: TBD

July     25-27               Module Five: TBD

August            8-10                Module Six: TBD

August 10-15              Closure

á      PUBLICATION/PRESENTATION OF WORK: August – December 2008

 

JOURNALISM ONLY OPTION:

á      DATES: June 1-August 15

á      COST: $1200

á      INCLUDES: Lodging situation and organic produce from June 1 to August 31; six weekend modules (includes Fri dinner through Sunday Lunch).

á      EXCLUDES: Transportation, insurance, medical expenses, weekly food, technology, Internet, books, field trip costs, unexpected expenses.

á      LODGING DETAILS: All participants will live in the Wildcat Sanctuary for Peace field in very comfortable tenting situations as described for the Organic Farming option.

 

JOURNALISM + FARMING OPTION:

á      DATES: June 1-August 31 (possibility of arriving in May for early planting will be considered.)

á      COST: $750

á      INCLUDES: Lodging (below); six weekend modules (includes Fri dinner through Sunday Lunch); materials to set up outdoor living. (And probably will set up internet connection[s].)

á      EXCLUDES: Transportation, insurance, medical expenses, weekly food, technology, books.

á      FARMING DETAILS: As an apprentice involved in farming you will spend your week days in part devoting a certain number of hours per week to the Wildcat Organic garden. All hours worked will be recorded. At some point in June greens will be ready to eat; July will bring other vegetables, but the main bounty of harvest will begin in late July and last through September (at which point you will likely be gone, but will have the choice to stay). The Wildcat Farm stand can be set up and run to bring in income. All expenses (petrol, seeds) will be recorded and all income pooled and profits or losses divided amongst all laborers—in proportion to their inputs of time and labor—at some to-be-determined date in August. I will provide the land, sunshine, rain, the farm stand and basic equipment (hoes, shovels) and a tractor at a very small fee (to cover basic maintenance). The garden has been fallow for three years but has received one cover crop of alfalfa and several yearsÕ worth of organic bullshit: it is ready to go. There will also be opportunities to build a labyrinth or peace monument, and to repaint the buddhas. Anyone interested in this option will be encouraged to contact previous Wildcat WWOOFers who lived in the field in this way to ascertain their experiences and insights. Please note that some seasons have been extremely profitable and others less so. Vegetable sales at other outlets will be possible to the extent that we communally or individually make this happen. FARMING WILL BASICALLY BE SUSPENDED DURING THE SIX WEEKEND MODULES.

á      LODGING DETAILS: Shared platform tent ÒluxuryÓ camping (tents to sleep 2 or 3 people; in the past there was also a teepee) with outdoor kitchen, outdoor shower (river) and composting outhouse in the Wildcat Garden field, Williamsburg MA, from at least June 1 to at least August 31. Participants will be encouraged to show up and participate in the construction, and stick around and participate in the deconstruction and closure. (Vegetable sales will be high through August and September.)

 

If you are interested in the farming + option I recommend that you read the essay BLIZZARD on my web site (probably in the essays section).

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

The Pioneer Valley is one of the most progressive and lovely places in the world. There are also plenty of rednecks and fascists. Nearby are five colleges with top-notch research facilities and all the war-making and injustice that comes along with this. The Northampton-Amherst area is overflowing with possibilities for recreation, self-development, arts, music. The Earthdance community is wonderful (we would likely venture that way for some fun). The Williamsburg and hilltowns are stunning for swimming, biking, rock-climbing, etc. and Northampton, the biggest nearby city, is a 30 minute bike ride downhill from Williamsburg and a 45-60 minute ride uphill. There are black bears, deer, muskrats, porcupines, squirrels, mountain lions, foxes, bobcats, rednecks, and other varmints in the region and none are any cause for concern—indeed, these animals enhance the outdoor experience. (RE: cougars: you wonÕt see them and you are more likely to be struck by lighting than to be attacked by a cougar.)