by Jennifer Cohen
For thousands of years, before the advent of metal tools, primitive man used stones to create sharp tools and weapons. This summer, the campers at Blue Star are also learning how to co-exist with nature and make tools from the land.
Jon Rousseau is the Ancient Arts instructor at Blue Star. This is his first summer at camp. Previously, Hawk ran the option for Ancient Arts. Jon and Hawk have been friends for 20 years. Hawk was not able to come to camp this summer and he asked Jon to fill in for him. (A pioneer boy recently gave the nickname of “Cobra” to Jon.)
In Ancient Arts, campers make various items working with materials found only in nature. Campers decide what they want to make. Gourds are made into bowls, containers, and percussion instruments such as water drums and udu drums. Campers must first wash and smooth their gourd and remove the seeds from inside. Campers carve, file and whittle until their projects are completed.
The campers also learn how to make items from bamboo such as didgeridoos, slit drums, and a handle for a throwing weapon called an atlata which predates the bow and arrow. Campers also have the opportunity to make dream catchers, leather pouches, medicine bags, net bags, canteens, and a digging tool that also has a storage compartment. Jon helps the campers with all of these projects. In addition, he also teaches the campers to respect nature and animals and tells the campers stories.
Ancient Arts is very popular, especially with Pioneer boys and girls and Junior and Senior boys who especially like learning about “fire by friction” which involves learning how to rub sticks together to make a fire.
Jon was born in Jacksonville, Florida and has lived in Asheville for the last 18 years. He did not become interested in Ancient Arts until he was in his mid 20’s. He earned a Degree in Economics from Auburn University and a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia. His first job was taking juvenile offenders into the wilderness for a month. Jon took them white water rafting, back packing, rock climbing, and on other adventure trips. That experience made him interested in learning and teaching. “Ancient arts is a doorway to remembering how our ancestors used to live,” said Jon.
At home in Asheville, Jon contracts with schools and other organizations and teaches the children Ancient Arts techniques similar to those he teaches at camp. He also share stories,and teaches nature awareness through games, and drumming. Jon also works with adventure groups and a nonprofit group that mentors teenage boys and teaches them what it means to be a man. Jon also works with an African healer.
Jon teaches survival skills to older campers. He shows them how to make water from air and teaches the Senior boys how to make a blow gun. “Those are pretty hard to make,” said Jon, who loves being at camp. “For me, being at camp is an opportunity to meet people from all over the world and make new friends. This summer is an opportunity for me to do what I love for an entire summer with kids who are very enthusiastic about doing it,” said Jon. “I’m very impressed with the camp structure and the organization,” said Jon. “The focus here is always on the kids. That’s really prominent and evident. The children are the priority and I really appreciate an organization that puts the kids first.”