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Who can apply to the Earth Mentor Program?

All adults age 18 and over may apply to the Earth Mentor Program. There are no course prerequisites.

Who is the Earth Mentor Program intended for?

The Earth Mentor Program is intended for anyone interested in deepening their understanding of mentoring in an intensive training setting. We use the natural world as our content and the mentoring culture of the Wilderness Awareness School as our context.

The course is designed to meet the needs of a variety of different types of students from young people directly out of high school, to college students and recent graduates, as well as older adults. The course is a community based intensive and students are expected to live together on our Land for the duration of the course.

How is the Earth Mentor Program different from the Residential Program?

The Earth Mentor Program is an intensive four week summer course and the Residential Program is a nine month school year course. The Earth Mentor Program is heavily focused on mentoring and our nature based approach to education. It also includes an introduction to our other core curriculum areas: naturalist skills, tracking, plants, survival skills, and bird language. (See our curriculum page for more details). The Residential Program is a more in-depth study of all of our core curriculum areas including mentoring. Both courses seek to immerse students in hands-on field-based experiences within a larger learning community.

Who are the instructors at the Earth Mentor Program?

Earth Mentor Students will be exposed to a wide variety of our finest instructors. Area specialists will teach each of the week long courses. During the hands-on weeks as an Assistant Instructor with summer camps, Earth Mentor students will be mentored by the experienced Instructors and the Director for that course.

Throughout the course, Nate Summers serves as Program Coordinator, guide, and personal mentor for all participants. Nate's role is to help students integrate and internalize the experience and "wrap the bundle," as we say, into a basket of tools that can be taken with you and put into action in your life.

What is class like at the Earth Mentor Program?

"Class" is new and exciting every week. About a quarter of the course will be focused on learning basic wilderness skills including partcipation in the NatureSkills Weeklong. Another quarter will be classes focused on mentoring such as the Art of Mentoring Workshop and a group rite of passage experience. And about half the course will consist of hands on work, mentoring youth in our Summer Youth Courses.

What is the application process for the course?

You can apply on-line to the Earth Mentor Program.See the application dates and payment timeline.

Or download the Earth Mentor Program Application in pdf format and mail it in.

To receive an application packet by mail (which includes a color brochure about the course), please use our request form. We look forward to answering any questions you might have, and the opportunity to meet you!

Can I receive college credit?

Yes! 6 credits of undergraduate college credit through Western State College is now available as an option for students in the Earth Mentor Program. These credits are available as 4 credits for Environmental Studies 197, and 2 credits for Outdoor Leadership Recreation Management 197. Cost is $125 per credit and you must enroll in all six credits if you want the college credit option. Visit Western's website for more information. Contact us if you have further questions about this option.

And If you are an educator, you may also be able to get continuing education credit. Please contact us if we can help you qualify at your school.

Can International/Overseas Students Apply?

Yes. Wilderness Awareness School is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students (international/overseas students). For more information please use our request form.

What are the backgrounds of the Program's students?

This is our first year offering the Earth Mentor Program. We expect to attract students who have a variety of backgrounds including college students, recent college graduates who want to change their focus or supplement their education, and teachers. All students will have a passion for connecting with nature and mentoring young people.

Is there an academic component to the Earth Mentor Program?

Yes. Earth Mentor students will receive a copy of our new curriculum book, Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature, which will serve as a reference for many of the nature based activies we do with youth. All parts of the course have some academic aspect, however, the course is mostly experiencial in nature.

Also, all students will be introduced to The Kamana Naturalist Training Program and receive the first level as part of their tuition. The Kamana Program is a rigorous academic course in and of itself, involving a significant amount of research, fieldwork, and a variety of journal activities.

What opportunities are there for those who complete the Earth Mentor Program?

Students who complete the Earth Mentor Program have the option, and are highly encouraged, to continue into our school year adult studies in our Residential Program or Instructor Training Apprenticeship. These courses provide the opportunity for students to deepen their own understanding of nature and self and gain professional-level experience in mentoring.

Why is there an Earth Mentor Program?

The Earth Mentor Program was developed to provide a shorter intensive for adults who are interested in exploring Wilderness Awareness School's unique approach to nature mentoring. Many college students and teachers were interested in the Residential Program but could not take an entire year off from their studies or work. The Earth Mentor Program was designed with these students in mind.

Where is the Program located?

The Earth Mentor Program is primarily located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains by the Snoqualmie River at Wilderness Awareness School's home base in Duvall, Washington. The school's property is called Linne Doran (Gaelic for "Pond of the Otter") and consists of over 20 acres of mature and second growth forest as well as the land's namesake pond and wetlands. This campus is adjacent to the vast forest lands of the Snoqualmie-Baker National Forest, west of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area.

Classroom facilities at Linne Doran include "Cedar Lodge," our new classroom building and gathering hall, which also has shared apartment housing for Earth Mentor Students on the second floor; "The Wolf Den," our 30 foot modern yurt; and "Malalo Ya Chui" (which means "Lair of the Leopard"), a more rustic 20 foot structure modeled after an African Akamba hut, built to honor School co-founder, Ingwe.

Summer Youth Courses are located at Linne Doran and several other great parks in the Puget Sound Area.

Where do Earth Mentor Program students live?

Students live in shared housing on our land, Linne Doran. The first 8 students to enroll will live in shared apartment housing in Cedar Lodge. Each bedroom will have two students per room. Additional students will live near Cedar Lodge in a small tent village. All students will have access to shared bathrooms, showers, and kitchen facilities. Living in community is an important part of the the course.

How will my personal learning goals be met?

The Earth Mentor Program is designed with a significant amount of learning and adventure incorporated into the schedule. There will be some limited opportunity to pursue personal learning goals on weekends between course elements. The Program Coordinator will lead group discussion sessions and meet with individual students to help integrate the teachings and experiences throughout the course.

How much does the Program cost?

Tuition for the Earth Mentor Program is $2,850. This cost includes all instruction and course materials, participation in programs and workshops, all meals*, all course-related travel, and housing for the duration of the course. Scholarships are available. (*Some meals during off days may not be provided. Further details in acceptance packet.)

Upon acceptance into the program, an $850 payment is required to secure your enrollment (which includes a $725 deposit which is credited towards your tuition as your first installment, and a $125 non-refundable enrollment fee which is not applied towards your tuition).

Why is the tuition set at this level?

Costs of skilled instruction, administration, facilities, course materials, meals, housing, and our Program's field trips all add up quickly. Wilderness Awareness School is a not-for-profit organization. Thus, in addition to course tuition, we rely on donations, grants, and other revenue to be able to continue to serve our mission in our local and national communities. We think you find that the Earth Mentor Program is a good value for the cost.

When are the application deadlines and when are payments due?

Regular Decision Admissions and Payment Due Dates 2009
Nov 1, 2008: Application period opens
Feb. 15, 2009: Course and Scholarship Applications due
Mar. 1st: Acceptance and Scholarship Award letters mailed
April 1st: $850 payment due to secure enrollment and scholarship award (includes $725 deposit which is credited towards your tuition as your first installment, and a $125 non-refundable enrollment fee which is not applied towards your tuition)
May 1st: Payment due in full

Rolling Admission Decision
After Feb. 15, 2009, we welcome applications to the 2009 Earth Mentor Program until the program start date in late June, or until the program fills, whichever is sooner. Acceptance and Scholarship Award letters are mailed within one week of receipt if space and money is available.

April 1st: $850 payment due to secure enrollment and scholarship award (includes $725 deposit which is credited towards your tuition as your first installment, and a $125 non-refundable enrollment fee which is not applied towards your tuition)
May 1st: Payment due in full

If you apply after May 1st, payment is due in full due by June 1st or upon acceptance into the program, whichever is sooner.

What Financial Aid is available for the Program?

Three forms of financial aid are currently available for the Earth Mentor Program:

1) Scholarships
We offer our own scholarship awards which are limited to $1,250 for the program. NOTE: The scholarship application form must be submitted at the same time as the regular course application (download and complete a Scholarship Application in PDF format, and mail it in).

2) SLM Financial - Career Training Loans
The Earth Mentor Program is pleased to now be able to provide our students with a Career Training Loan option through SLM Financial, a Sallie Mae Company, the nation's leading provider of education funding.

The SLM Career Training Loan is a private, credit-based student loan for technical training or trade schools (which is how the Earth Mentor Program is licensed by WA State), online courses, and other continuing education courses.

Some Loan Features:

• The Career Training Loan has interest rates and fees that reward good credit.
• Repayment terms of up to 15 years are available.
• If you have less-than-ideal credit or no credit at all, you can still be eligible for the Career Training Loan by applying with a creditworthy cosigner.
• You may borrow for both tuition and other education-related expenses.

For more information including a full list of the Career Training Loan features, download the 4-page brochure (PDF download), or visit the Career Training Loan webpage.

Career Training Loan Facts

Loan limits - The minimum loan amount is $1,000 and you can borrow up to the total cost of the education, less other financial aid received, for tuition and education-related expenses such as books and gear, and living expenses. Up to 60% of the tuition amount is allowable for expenses, not to exceed $6,000. So the maximum loan amount for the Earth Mentor Program, if you are not receiving one of our scholarships, is $4,560. A portion of the tuition must be financed to be eligible to apply for expenses.

Interest rates and fees - Interest rates are variable (monthly) and are based on the Prime Rate plus a margin. Your interest rate margin is determined by your (and your co-borrower's, if you use a co-borrower) credit history. The interest rates start at Prime +0% with fees as low as 0% for borrowers with excellent credit.

Repayment term - Repayment begins 30 days after disbursement. With the 15-year repayment option, you can keep your monthly payments low and affordable. You can also prepay your loan, either in part or in full, at any time to lower your total loan cost, with no prepayment penalty. Minimum monthly payment is $30.

Deferment option available - Balancing work and education while you are in school can be difficult. For this reason, a 12-month deferment repayment option is available for qualified borrowers. During the deferment period, you will be required to pay only $10 per month. This $10 payment will be applied toward the interest that accrues on your account during the deferment period. Unpaid interest will be added to your loan amount (capitalized) at the end of the deferment period. You will then pay interest on a higher amount. The deferment option lets you focus on your studies rather than your loan payment while you are attending school. And afterwards, you may still have up to 15 years to repay.

To apply for a SLM Financial Career Training Loan:

NOTE: If you are planning to apply for an SLM loan, please call our office so we can discuss the process with you. You'll want to speak with Linda Bittle: 425-788-1301 ext. 42.

1) Apply on-line (recommended; by far the fastest method). Download the Instructions for OpenNet, an online based application process, and when you've read them, click here to begin your on-line application. We suggest using the E-Signature option for this process as it is much faster with less paperwork. Please read these instructions carefully.

2) You can also download the application form and instructions (the application is page two of this PDF) and print it out, complete the application by hand, and turn it into our financial aid officer, Linda Bittle, by mail or in-person. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully.

To read more about the Career Training Loan program please go to the SLM Financial website.

If you still have additional questions, call Wilderness Awareness School's financial aid officer, Linda Bittle: 425-788-1301 ext 42 or email her.

3) Veterans Benefits
Tuition assistance is available to U.S. Veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and services.

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Should I have taken courses with Wilderness Awareness School or other schools to be a part of the Program?

There are no prerequisites for the Earth Mentor Program. A passion for learning to mentor youth is all that is required. However, we do encourage prospective students to attend any of our courses that they may be interested in, and offer tuition credit for day-long or weekend classes.

Will I be able to work and do the Program at the same time?

You will not be able to work during the Earth Mentor Program. It is a full time gig.

May I come and observe the Earth Mentor Program?

Due to the nature of the course, it is not really practical to visit during the Earth Mentor Program session. However, we do recommend that you try out one of our day-long or weekend courses that sparks your curiousity to get a feel for Wildrness Awareness School's culture. If you decide to then join the Earth Mentor Program, the cost of your trial course can be credited toward your tution. Please use our request form for more information on this option. (*NOTE: The tuition credit option is only available to prospective students who have not yet officially enrolled in the course.)

Also, we can arrange a tour of our campus and a chance to meet with staff. Please contact us if you wish to visit Wilderness Awareness School. We do require that guests make an appointment before visiting.

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