Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature

This is one of the few things where I would rate this the highest I could.This is a must-read for those who wish to reconnect with nature, and have some friends, family or otherwise that wish to do the same; this is definitely a book with those goals in mind. But it isn't just a story or a manual on steps to reconnect - this book provides personal accounts of prior connection and reconnection, individual guidance to not just appreciate our natural world but reconnect with it and see its beauty, steps to expand our awareness in all fields of life, and a written prose that (at least for me) fills the heart with a special motivation and joy. The book is encouraging and engaging for all audiences, from the city dweller who has never even been to the local park to those already in the back country, living in the old ways of our ancestors. There is so much information packed into this book, collected from many wilderness mentors and instructors and what they have done who help their students reach a new bond with the natural world.The book has a strong focus on some potentially woo-woo concepts, such as the meaning of animals and what they represent, to more ethereal concepts of ancestry and historic connection, but the majority of the book is based on repeated experience and grounded in our physical reality, aiming to appease all levels of what can be considered a healthy connection to wilderness - physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual. Logic is strongly present in this guide, but superseding it is what has been shown to work in the practices of the collaborative authors, even if it makes no logistical sense.As was the case with me, it may be difficult to get through the first few pages, not because of the writing itself but because of how far out some of the concepts can appear. But if some time and dedication is given, the essence of the book suddenly comes alive, and it becomes nearly impossible to put down.I originally borrowed this book from a friend, and the first few times I picked it up, I couldn't even get through the first five pages; I felt like the information was out of my reach and comprehension. So I put it down, and left it for a little bit, and then tried again a couple days later.After two weeks, I picked it up again, and suddenly two hours went by as I sucked in the ideas and processes the first three chapters had to offer. I read through more of it that night, and I knew I needed my own copy. So I bought it here on Amazon; now I'm halfway through the book, and after using some of the exercises provided, I can certainly say it makes a positive difference in how I see the world around me.I cannot recommend this book highly enough. If you get the chance, give it a read. It just might change your perspective of the world.

Great book for teachers and students alike! Lots of great games and activities for strengthening your connection to nature in a fun way!

I can't say enough about this book: it is life-changing! I have a masters in Ecology and years of experience teaching in schools. I homeschool my kids and have decided to begin a nature immersion program at my farm. This book is EVERYTHING a parent, teacher, counselor would need to learn -- really learn -- how to connect (re-connect actually) people to nature. At least half of the book is background information. Very inspirational, grounded, and helpful. The rest consists of activities. So amazingly organized. And the most helpful part, in my opinion, describes how to structure an outing in terms of how to let the activities flow from one type to another using a model from nature and the 4 directions. This technique is useful in all group gatherings: whether you're conducting a board meeting or leading a group of preschoolers thru the woods. Well worth the money and in fact is worth much more than the cost! I have spent my summer reading it and it really has changed my life.

Profound educational ideas. Organized so that one can move from the philosophy to concrete activities. Also presents activities in such away that allows for the reader to easily choose from numerous choices given one's goals.It is a lot to take in (which is a good thing) and I expect that it will take me awhile to process the range of ideas in the book and integrate it into my work at camp.I was so inspired by the ideas in this book that I have considered further training with the organization that created the book.As an anecdote, one activity I did a lot of this past summer at camp was "Eagle Eye." It really facilitated an introduction to being quiet and still. The children asked to do it again and again and again.I can't recommend this book as a resource for environmental education more highly.

I read this book for a program I was involved in. I have an extensive background in outdoor education and have been long time proponent of the outdoors as a medium for growth. The outdoor industry overall has done a commendable job of developing it's program ideas alongside supporting research. This book, and the8 shields program behind it, make no such attempt at supporting it's program objectives with anything other than anecdotal evidence. The book is awash with winding side stories that attempt to lure the reader into a sense of legitimacy. In the end though, the only substance in the entire thing is the six references to Richard Louv's "Last Child in the Woods." Lastly and most importantly, the book and the program behind it are a paradigm of cultural appropriation. Making money off the natives, yeah!

This book is above and beyond it’s almost like an encyclopedia of classroom work for the outdoors. Each read is something to dissect and think up on before applying.

This book has greatly exceeded my expectations. It’s encyclopedic in scope and vastly rich in detail, written by people who are true experts and practitioners. I bought it to deepen my knowledge and expand my toolset for leading families on nature retreats, and I couldn’t have asked for more.

I've only just begun to read this, but I had a smile on my face and a warm sensation in my heart from the first pages. It speaks to our longing, our need to connect with nature, with ourselves and with each other. We are all connected, yet we lose sight of that in our hectic, fast-paced lives these days. Coyote's Guide teaches how to find it again. Gonna keep reading :)

Great book full of really helpful information. Well set out and organised to make it user friendly. Lots of very good experienced advice.

I have great gratitude and love for Jon Young and the work he does in the world. This is a wonderful ‘book’/guide/life manual. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Bought this book as a gift for my daughter. One of the best books in her fast book collection

Prompt delivery of item as described.No problems or issues.Very happy with the seller and service

Super, dass es ein Buch gibt, welche die ansonsten mündlich überlieferte Tradition des Coyote Mentoring auf gute Art und Weise beschreibt und zugänglich macht. Das Buch ersetzt nicht die Erfahrung, aber es gibt einen Einblick und hilft, selbst gemachte Erfahrungen im Survival einzuordnen und zu verstehen.