Tennessee Programs
Flyer Images by Lillian Geronimo and Lynda Fontaine
Image of Rhys demonstrating bow drill by Lillian Geronimo
Traditional Wood Carving Workshop
Summary: In this workshop you will learn how to carve a wooden spoon using basic hand tools. Learn about knife safety, the anatomy of a knife, and the principles behind carving a spoon. If time allows, the instructor may discuss & show examples of traditional stone knives. A block of wood will be provided. Bring your own carving knife (a Bahco knife is recommended). Meet & Greet🪵✨with Rhys starts at 9 AM, so head on over to the market early & feel free to ask him questions!
Date: Saturday, May 18th 2024
Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: Dodson Creek Farm Supply, 523 Kite Road in Rogersville, TN
Ages: All ages welcome!
Cost: $30 for adults, $25 for children ages 17 & under
Supplies List: All supplies will be provided for this class. You are welcome to bring your own carving knife. A Bahco knife is recommended.
*Group Discounts are available if you register before Saturday. Contact Cori for more information.
Payments: We accept cash, or credit card. Your spot will not be held until payment is received.
Waiver: Must be signed before attending workshop
*Limited Spots Available!
Registration: Contact Cori at text/call 423-293-4310 or email cori@southernkokua.com to register
Instructor Biography:
Rhys Fontaine is a highly trained practitioner of primitive skills and survival skills. He was born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Tennessee and has been a lifelong enthusiast of traditional arts. He is currently working as an instructor at Boulder Outdoor Survival School (BOSS), in Southern Utah. Like and subscribe to his YouTube channel Coyote Bushcraft which focuses on various primitive skills.
Flyer Images by Lillian Geronimo, Kailani Achi, & Kanoelani Achi
Image of firekeeping supplies by Lillian Geronimo
Traditional Firemaking & Firekeeping Workshop
Summary: In this workshop you will learn the history and principles of traditional firemaking and firekeeping. We will go over the history and uses of the tinder fungus & you will get hands on practice using this mushroom that is commonly found in our region of Appalachia. There will be instruction and hands on practice using a bow drill, group bow drill, and hand drill. Families with younger children will have the opportunity to practice using a ferro rod to light a fire.
Date: Saturday, May 11th 2024
Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Location: Overhome Trading Post at Overhome Meat Processing 2453 Highway 131, Thorn Hill TN
Ages: All ages welcome!
Cost: $30 for adults, $25 for children ages 17 & under
Supplies List: All supplies will be provided for this class. You are welcome to bring your own bow drill and bushcraft knife. Bow Drill Kits will be available to purchase at the tent.
*Group Discounts are available. Contact Cori for more information.
Payments: We accept cash, or credit card. Your spot will not be held until payment is received.
Waiver: Must be signed before attending workshop
*Limited Spots Available!
Registration: Contact Cori at text/call 423-293-4310 or email cori@southernkokua.com to register
Instructor Biography:
Rhys Fontaine is a lifelong primitive skills enthusiast. He is currently working as an instructor at Boulder Outdoor Survival School (BOSS), in Southern Utah. Rhys has extensive experience in Primitive Skills and Survival Skills. He was born and raised in Eastern Tennessee and his YouTube channel Coyote Bushcraft focuses on various primitive skills. Subscribe to his YouTube channel below:
Coyote Bushcraft- Rhys Fontaine
A supplies list will be provided after registration.
Thank you!
Flyer Images by Lillian Geronimo and Kailani Achi
Image of deer hide with wooden spoon by Lillian Geronimo
Image of Rhys by Kailani Achi
Traditional Wood Carving Workshop
Summary: In this workshop you will learn how to carve a wooden spoon using basic hand tools. Learn about knife safety and how to use a knife properly, learn about the anatomy of a knife, the principles behind carving a spoon, and the many uses of wood spoons. If time allows, the instructor may discuss & show examples of traditional stone knives. A block of wood will be provided. Bring your own carving knife (a Bahco knife is recommended).
Date: Saturday, October 28th 2023
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Location: Amis Mill Trading Post, 127 W Bear Hollow Rd, Rogersville, TN 37857
Ages: 7 & older
Cost: $30 for adults, $25 for children ages 17 & under
*Group and Multi Class Discounts are available. Contact Cori for more information.
Payments: We accept cash, or credit card. Your spot will not be held until payment is received.
Waiver: Must be signed before attending workshop
*Limited Spots Available!
Registration: Contact Cori at text/call 423-293-4310 or email cori@southernkokua.com to register
Instructor Biography:
Rhys Fontaine is a lifelong primitive skills enthusiast. He is currently working as an instructor at Boulder Outdoor Survival School (BOSS), in Southern Utah. Rhys has extensive experience in Primitive Skills and Survival Skills. He was born and raised in Eastern Tennessee and his YouTube channel Coyote Bushcraft focuses on various primitive skills. Subscribe to his YouTube channel below:
Coyote Bushcraft- Rhys Fontaine
A supplies list will be provided after registration.
Thank you!
Flyer Images by Lillian Geronimo
Image of Rhys doing bow drill by Lillian Geronimo
Image of firekeeping supplies by Lillian Geronimo
Closeup image of bow drill by Lillian Geronimo
Traditional Firekeeping Workshop
Summary: This workshop will teach about fire safety and the principles of firekeeping. Learn how to start a fire using friction fire, flint and steel, ferro rod, and bow drill.
Date: Saturday, October 28th 2023
Time: 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Location: Amis Mill Trading Post, 127 W Bear Hollow Rd, Rogersville, TN 37857
Ages: 7 & older
Cost: $30 for adults, $25 for children ages 17 & under
*Group and Multi Class Discounts are available. Contact Cori for more information.
Payments: We accept cash, or credit card. Your spot will not be held until payment is received.
Waiver: Must be signed before attending workshop
*Limited Spots Available!
Registration: Contact Cori at text/call 423-293-4310 or email cori@southernkokua.com to register
Instructor Biography:
Rhys Fontaine is a lifelong primitive skills enthusiast. He is currently working as an instructor at Boulder Outdoor Survival School (BOSS), in Southern Utah. Rhys has extensive experience in Primitive Skills and Survival Skills. He was born and raised in Eastern Tennessee and his YouTube channel Coyote Bushcraft focuses on various primitive skills. Subscribe to his YouTube channel below:
Coyote Bushcraft- Rhys Fontaine
All supplies will be provided for this class.
Thank you!
*NEW CLASS COMING SPRING 2024! Sign up for email alerts to keep updated.*
Traditional Animal Processing & Hide Tanning Workshop
Summary: This is a 2-day traditional animal processing and hide tanning workshop taught by an experienced instructor. You will learn how to process a sheep from beginning to end and learn how to use every part of the animal to make traditional foods & crafts. An abundance of food will be prepared, and you will have the opportunity to sample traditional & nourishing recipes made from the animal.
Date: November 5 & 6, 2022 Saturday & Sunday
Time: 9AM to 5 PM Saturday
Location: *Maggie & John Culver’s Farm- Rogersville, TN
Ages: 12 & older
Cost: $150 per person for the 2-day workshop, or $85 for Saturday only (preference will be given to those attending both days), one day participants will be put on a waiting list $30 to reserve your place in the workshop (non-refundable) and balance due November 3rd
Payments: Send payments via Venmo to @Rhys-Fontaine, Cash payments can be made directly to Cori or Maggie
Waiver: Must be signed before attending workshop
Limited Spots Available!
Registration: Contact Cori at 301-281-5836 or cori@southernkokua.com to register
Day 1
• Slaughtering, Hanging, Skinning & Gutting the animal
• Processing the visceral fat (fat surrounding the internal organs)
• Fleshing the hide, (removing excess meat from hide to prepare it for softening)
• Day 1 Food- Blood Tacos, Fried Bread, Organ Stir Fry Sampler, Rice, Stomach Bread
Day 2
• Butchering the animal (identifying cuts & removing meat from the carcass)
• Wrapping the Meat (using butcher paper, separating cuts, & labeling)
• Racking the Hide (framing and tying the hide)
• Making a Brain solution to soften the hide
• Softening the Hide
• Smoking the Hide to preserve it
• If time allows, we will learn how to use the hooves for traditional crafts
• Day 2 Food- Backstrap, Flank Meat Bacon, Sample Cuts, Complete Rendering of Fat
Instructor Biography:
Rhys Fontaine is a lifelong primitive skills enthusiast. He is currently working as an instructor at Boulder Outdoor Survival School (BOSS), in Southern Utah. Rhys has extensive experience in animal processing and hide tanning. He was born and raised in Eastern Tennessee and his YouTube channel Coyote Bushcraft focuses on various primitive skills. Subscribe to his YouTube channel below:
Coyote Bushcraft- Rhys Fontaine
*Workshop Address & Supplies List will be provided after registration
Contact Cori at 301-281-5836 or cori@southernkokua.com to register. Thank you!