Native American Living History July 20th-26th, 2025
posted 3/9/23
Join Gray Wolf at Sylvan Dale Ranch
24th Annual Native American Living History Week!
Immerse yourself in Native American history and culture as Gray Wolf and his fellow historians bring ancient traditions to life. Your whole family will enjoy this unforgettable week in Colorado with opportunities for learning Native American crafts, skills and traditions, all in a beautiful riverside setting. This is a perfect intergenerational vacation, with fun and engaging activities for all ages. We look forward to Tipi Camp every year! Your family will have the chance to truly unplug and enjoy the outdoors, learn new skills and reconnect with each other during this incredibly rewarding vacation. Click here to see rates!
Who is Gray Wolf?
Gray Wolf's ancestry includes Northern Cheyenne of the Great Plains and Micmac of the far Northeast. He has traveled the country for many years in search of knowledge from his People, and he has lived in his tipi for extended periods of time as well as with just bedrolls on the ground. He spent time on several reservations, learning what he could of lifeways from tribal elders and others. Gray Wolf took an 11-month horse pack trip riding from Santa Fe, New Mexico to Canada experiencing life on the trail, and he has been a working cowboy. He is a professional guide for canoe trips, horse-packing, kayaking, back-packing and prospecting. Gray Wolf also teaches rock-climbing and survival skills. He has spent over two decades sharing his knowledge and interesting anecdotes with audiences of all ages in a diverse range of programs. His real-life experience gives him a solid platform from which to share his knowledge of Native Americans, Mountain Men, Cowboys, wilderness survival and all that these subjects entail. Gray Wolf spends much of his time experiencing the old ways of the 1700s and 1800s. He lives often in his tipi, wears authentic clothing, uses ancient tools and cooks over open fires. He studies Native American history and philosophy, and with great respect works to keep alive the ancient lifeways of some of the earliest peoples to inhabit the land now known as North America. He loves sharing his knowledge with people of all ages through stories, activities and crafts!
Tipi Camp Activities
TOMAHAWK & KNIFE THROWING Ongoing throughout the week, lessons and practice on "sticking steel" (getting your metal implement to stay in a dead tree trunk). Later, the ‘hawk blocks' will find two teams ready for an exciting contest: Women/Girls vs. Men/Boys!
LEATHER WORKING With step-by-step instruction, adults will create their own pair of Cheyenne-style moccasins, a medicine bag or other customized leather piece from buckskin leather. You'll be strolling around in your own comfortable pair of hand-made moccasins. You can choose to create a medicine bag, leather pouch or something else too. (Extra charge for materials.)
ARROW MAKING Shape your own arrow for a truly unique keepsake. But you have promise not to use any of the wildlife, cows or grounds crew as targets!
NATIVE AMERICAN GAMES Play is ageless. Everyone will be laughing and screaming while learning that other cultures aren't really so different from ours! The kids will sleep better after they're tuckered out a bit playing in the same fun ways many tribes' kids have for centuries! Adults will often join in on the contagious play.
FIRE-MAKING CONTEST From gathering natural tinder and sticks to producing a spark and ember, through building and maintaining a small cook fire, guests are invited to compete in teams for this everyday necessity. Flint-n-steel and the “rubbing sticks” method are covered, as well as safety issues for children. An exciting contest shows you paid attention--first one to flames gets all the applause!
NATIVE AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE This language has been preserved for centuries and is ongoing throughout the week. A concentrated session gives a visual trip back through time, showing how sign language was an integral part of the frontier experience, both before and after contact.
PINE-NEEDLE TEA AND OTHER WILD EDIBLES Help us find yummy munchies on the land, and learn survival skills, valuable if you were ever to get lost in the wilderness. Offer a toast to the Colorado Rockies with a hot cup of Pine-needle Tea made from fresh pine needles gathered by our helpful guests.
NATURE SCAVENGER HUNT and BUCKSKIN CRAFT FOR CHILDREN Rocks, feathers and more are found on a special hike through the woods – the children on the look-out for items they want to incorporate into their Buckskin "Story Robe." Then we sit and make a unique craft, complete with paints and beads if the artist so desires!
THE GREAT PLAINS CULTURE An introduction to the lives of the Plains Peoples. Grab a seat inside the tipi on cozy furs and learn about culture, foods, accouterments, clothing, etiquette, horses, setting up a lodge, and other unique lifeways.
WEAPONS OF THE PLAINS A timeline of survival weapons: stone implements, obsidian points, bows and arrows, knives, tomahawks, flint-lock muzzle-loading pistol, percussion cap black powder rifles, cap and ball revolver, and an early original Winchester repeater rifle.
If you’re interested in joining us, and want to learn more before pulling on your boots, please email Karen directly at karenb@sylvandale.com
We look forward to connecting with you!
Gray Wolf
“We all seem to be so busy, it is often hard to stop and just take time to reflect. The atmosphere Gray Wolf creates within his tipi is palpable. It’s a space that is calming, balancing and restorative. We can learn so much from a people who have always worked closely and harmoniously with nature. Our week with Gray Wolf each summer restores and fosters connection within our family.” ~ Sara Revill, Worcestershire, UK