Integral Awareness Training Series (IATS)

Start: Jul 18 2009

Timezone: US/Alaska

Offered: November 2008 - August 2009 on selected Saturdays, 8:30am-4:30pm

Location: Greater Pescadero area (at a different location each time to be announced via email)

Instructors: Josh Lane, Jon Young and other special guests of the Shikari Tracking Guild
Explore the wildlife and natural history of the coastal landscapes through the perspective of holistic tracking and awareness. Learn routines of sensory awareness that have been used by trackers for thousands of years that foster a deep and powerful relationship with place.

Track mammals and birds (and each other!) through the sand, mud, and beyond.

Observe WHERE animals travel and WHY as we explore the ecology of place.

Expand your senses, engage your creativity through routines of holistic awareness!

The course curriculum is structured so that participants will build on their knowledge and experience with every class meeting. However, drop-ins are also encouraged to visit the class (please register with the office two weeks ahead of time). Many people return year after year to enjoy deeper levels of training along with the fun community that develops in the class.

Thoughts from IATS Participants

“The Integral Awareness Training Series is an immersion course into the world of tracking that pushes the edges of knowledge for everyone; from the beginner to the most seasoned of trackers. After taking the class I feel quite honest in saying that I learned more about tracking in this course than I have in the last four years of wildlife tracking. The real power in this course is not the transfer of knowledge but the culture in which it is taught.”

--Mark Batcheler, Returning Student 2007-2008

“The Integral Awareness Training Series is a highly unique course in tracking and nature awareness that will bring anyone into a deeper relationship with Nature. This course covers all the skills, techniques and awareness that make a well-rounded tracker. IATS seeks to build a community of skilled trackers who bring their whole being and reverence for Nature to the process. I feel that this course is part of my path into a new livelihood. IATS is a dynamic course that becomes stronger and more exciting every year.”

--John Brossard, Returning Student 2006-2007

Dates and Times
IATS will meet from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on the following Saturdays:

November 15
December 20
January 17
February 21
March 21
April 18
May 16
June 20
July 18
August 15

The Bay Area Tracking Club meets on the Sundays following each IATS. Bay Area Tracking Club events are free and meet at Gazos Creek Beach in Pescadero from 8am -11am. Many IATS participants enjoy staying at Pigeon Point Hostel or camping at Butano State Park so they can attend the Tracking Club the next day. Be sure to call ahead to the Hostel or State Park to make reservations.

Also, check out Marin County Tracking Club in Pt Reyes!

Camping Options in Pescadero
Both walk-in and drive-in camp sites are available year round at nearby Butano State Park. For more information on camping at Butano, click here. Also check out Pigeon Point Hostel at the Lighthouse in Pescadero.

Course Fees:

First Year Students
$1295 for 10 class series in Pescadero
$ 135 “drop-in” rate per individual class (limit of 2 per person) – register at least 2 weeks in advance.

Returning Students
If you have participated in at least a year of IATS classes, you qualify for the returning participant discount.
$1165 for 10 class series for Returning Students

Registraion:

You can register on-line and pay via credit card or register and pay via check by downloading an application and sending it by mail. Please note that registration for individual classes must be made 2-weeks in advance.

Participants should be prepared for ANY weather condition, and should be in adequate physical shape for hiking and observational sits on the land. Also, be sure to bring a lunch and water.

Those who would like to get an introductory experience with this training may attend up to two classes. Otherwise, the course is limited to full-time participants.

Cancellation & Refund Policy
Cancellations up to 2 weeks before the course begins will be refunded, excluding a $100 processing fee. No refunds are given after that date.

Refund requests for drop-in classes that are made at least 14 days before the class will be refunded, minus a $50 processing fee. No refunds or credits will be made for missed classes.