We’re working on trying to post videos on a number of atlatl subjects. We will be posting them in the next few weeks and months as we complete them. This first video shows how to make a scarf joint to connect two sections of an atlatl dart. Here’s the link:
Atlatls Becoming Popular with Camps & Other Youth Groups
More and more young people are being introduced to the atlatl through camp programs, scout groups, museum and school programs.
We have definitely seen a growth in this area especially over the last few years. At Thunderbird Atlatl, we offer a wide variety of atlatls for those groups. We have found our atlatl kits very popular especially among scout groups.
We are happy to work with any groups interested in starting an atlatl program. Email us at contact@thunderbirdatlatl.com or call us at 1-800-836-4520 and we would be happy to work out a package for your group. Atlatls work well with youngsters from 5 or 6 years to teenagers.
The atlatl programs teach youth good archery safety rules and provide an enjoyable target sport that all youth can enjoy.
Primitive Pursuits Day in Ithaca, NY
Bob Berg of Thunderbird Atlatl will be teaching traditional fish line and hook making at the 7th Annual Primitive Pursuits Day. He will have atlatls and darts available for those interested in the atlatl. Berg will also do a demonstration on the use of tree saps as traditional adhesives, finishes, fiber consoildants and other uses.
Primitive Pursuits Day is sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension featuring Ancestral Living Skills, Nature Awareness and Sustainable Living programs, will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at 4-H Acres, 418 Lower Creek Road, Dryden.
The cost is $5 for youth, $8 for adults or $20 per family.
A chicken barbecue will be available at 11 a.m. for $8 per dinner or $5 for just a half chicken.
Workshops are hands-on and will run throughout the day. Workshop presenters will have information on upcoming programs as well as have primitive items for sale.
Workshops being offered are: campfire cooking and carving animal bone with Hawk Circle; dream catchers and finger weaving with Wilderness Way; traditional fish hooks and line with Bob Berg of Thunderbird Atlatl; return of the fisher and tracking outings with Linda Spielman; native cooking with Tim Woods; and torches, bark baskets, coal burning, winter survival, awareness games, drilling stone, friction fires, spark based fire making and cattail tinder and tree identification.
Additional Programming to be announced with Camp Earth Connections.
Primitive Fire Making Competition to be held at 3:00. Bring your friction kits and enter at the sign in desk.
New England Atlatl Successes!
The New England atlatl community is going strong this spring! Two events were held in Vermont and Maine the last weekend of April. Another event is set for June 14 in Vermont!
John Morris sent out the following report on the Vermont event. Here is John’s report:
“Greg Maurer put on a terrific atlatl competition at “The North Country Atlatl Open” in Williston, Vermont (April 26). It was a ground breaking event for us in New England… The first tournament here, sponsored by the New York Atlatl Association.. The NYAA president, Doug Bassett, was there and introduced us all to many competitions previously unknown to many.
The weather forecast was for rain showers but it turned out to be a perfect day. We had a small but enthusiastic group of people there, including first time atlatlists.”
“Greg has a second Atlatl open coming on Saturday June 14. It also will include the: ISAC, IASAC, The NYAA** events, a moving target, a Clay Pigeon shoot, plus balloon targets ect for kids of all ages.
The second open will be at the same place. The North Country Sportsman’s [Gun] Club, Williston Vermont.”
John has put together an email list of New England Atlatlists if you are interested in being included, email John at faywood@sover.net
The Thunderbird Atlatl staff was at the University of Southern Maine for the school’s third annual knap-in. There was a small but steady crowd at the event. There was a lot of interest from those attending. Participants were able to learn flint knapping, fire building, cordage skills, atlatl building, pottery skills and more. The students set up an atlatl range on a soccer field. We look forward to next year’s event.
Off to Maine
The Thunderbird Atlatl staff will be in Maine this weekend for the University of Maine’s third annual knap-in. The event will take place April 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the University of Maine campus at Gorham, Maine. The program takes place in and around Bailey Hall. Check out the website at
Admission is free to the public. Donations are welcome to help out with the event. For more information contact help@usmknapin.com or call the Geography-Anthropology Department at (207) 780-5321.
Here is a schedule of events:
SATURDAY, APRIL 26TH, 2008
All Day Flintknapping
FREE Richard Doyle and John Cross will be giving flintknapping demonstrations (and advice) in 321 Bailey Hall. Anyone interested will have a chance to make their own stone tool and to purchase raw material or finished pieces! While everyone is welcome to participate, children MUST be supervised by an adult.
All Day Atlatl Demonstrations and Beginners’ Range
FREE Don’t worry if you’ve never done it – we’ll show you! Demonstrations will be given behind Bailey Hall and the range will be set up on the soccer field. Stop by the main table for maps and more information about atlatls.
All Day Pottery Making
FREE Head down to the Ceramics Studio and make your own prehistoric pottery. Charlie Paquin from the University of Vermont will be working with U.S.M. Art students to show participants the basics of pottery making. Pieces will be pit-fired on site and can be taken home.
Great for kids!
Hourly
Beginning 11:00am GIS (Geographic Information Systems) “Scavenger Hunt” and Presentations
FREE We have a list of locations on campus logged into our GPS units (global positioning system). Borrow one for an hour and take a tour of U.S.M.! While you’re in room 302 in Bailey Hall, check out some of the places in the world where U.S.M. students are doing research.
All Day Kid’s Room
FREE Not all activities are appropriate for small children. We are creating a kids’ room with coloring, yarn basket weaving and some other fun activities for those too young to participate in other events. Feel free to visit Room 319 in Bailey Hall with the kids!
Beginning 11:30am Picnic Style Buffet Lunch
$5.00 Cold cuts, salads, chips and dessert will be offered. Lunch is free for volunteers!
Contact us for details.
All Day Make Your Own Atlatl Workshop
$25.00 Bob Berg (Thunderbird Atlatl) and his wife, Cheryll, will be outside Bailey Hall giving instruction on how to make an atlatl. Make your own to take with you or purchase one ready made.
12:00pm to 2:00pm Friction Fire Workshop
FREE Representatives from the Maine Primitive Skills School be showing us how to make fire using a friction bow. This will be taking place outside, behind Bailey Hall.
2:00pm to 3:00pm
Presentation: Edible Plants
This presentation by the Maine Primitive Skills School will address ways to identify edible plants (and look-alikes), uses and foraging techniques.
3:00pm to 4:00pm Fiber Workshop
FREE The Maine Primitive Skills School will also explore the fibers available locally, what they are best utilized for, and spend some time making cordage.
All Day Presentation:
Zooarchaeology Dr. Dinah Crader and her Zooarchaeology II class will be presenting their research on horse remains from Aissa Dugjé, an archaeological site in Cameroon.
All Day Artifact Displays Dr. Nathan Hamilton will be displaying artifacts from archaeological excavations, including sites from Casco Bay and southern Maine.
All Day Student Research View posters created by our majors to display current research. Look for us in the hallways on the third floor of Bailey Hall.