TWO LAST PLACES – Trailing intensive with Rene Nauta – 18th until 19th of March 2024 (English)

In this 2-day course, you will learn a wide range of skills needed to find and follow a fresh trail. The classes are structured so that everyone can participate at their own level. It can also be a great step as preparation for a Trailing evaluation.

The first day is focused on learning all the techniques. There we focus on a trail laid by humans, but the techniques for tracking remain the same.
On the second day we go to an area where we can trawl. So there the focus is more on literally finding and following a fresh trail. And approaching game unseen.

Trailing is a never ending story…

Day 1 – Trailing exercises

After an explanation of trailing we go out and you are busy in the field all day. The group size is deliberately small, so that everyone is regularly ‘in the lead’. You learn to recognize a fresh trail. In what direction and at what pace did this animal run? The terrain where we practice has an enormous variety of surfaces; from dusty sand, humus, moss, ferns, to grass and leaves. A great opportunity to learn a lot!
Am I still ‘on track’? What do I do if I’m not (anymore)? Is that bird alarm because of me? What tracks have other animals left behind? Where is the wind coming from?

Day 2 – Following a fresh trail

With the knowledge gained, we will go to another area where we can track game (fallow deer). Here you will be taught some new techniques and skills: stealth; how do you walk without being seen and without making a sound? How do you use your “peripheral vision? What if you see an animal that hasn’t seen you yet? How do you get closer? How do you get away again unseen? We only communicate with hand signals, and you will get an explanation about that too. An excellent opportunity to put into practice all the knowledge you acquired on day 1, supplemented with these new skills, with -hopefully- a real game as a reward at the end!

Accommodation during your stay

During the retreat you will stay overnight at Chamai, in the Old Presbytery of the village of Hodister, in the Ardennes. You will stay in a spacious room with 2 or 3 people. Private rooms are only possible with a limited number of registrations and on payment of an extra fee. Staying in the tent in the beautiful garden is also possible. During the day, we hike to special nature spots nearby. We also prepare delicious vegetarian meals every day with herbs and greens from our own garden.

All meals are provided during the retreat. If you like to eat regular snacks in between, be sure to bring what you need for yourself, or possibly to share with the group. Tea, coffee and water are provided at all times.

Facilitation

René Nauta

René is an expert in animal tracks and trained as an evaluator for CyberTracker International. He traveled with natural populations through Namibia and attended training courses in England. Together with his partner Beke, they founded the company “EXTRA – Make Outside Your Home” in 1997. He enjoys sharing his passion for nature with other nature lovers.

Registration and prices

You can enroll for this intensive training through chamaicentre@gmail.com.

Standard price: 490 euro
Supporter and business price (if you want an invoice or support someone with low financial income): 590 euro

Deadline to register is at the latest 2 weeks before the start of the course and subject to payment of the registration fee. Later is not possible for organizational reasons.

Your registration is complete as soon as you have sent an email to chamaicentre@gmail.com and transferred the full registration fee to the following account: BE12 7340 4886 7292 – Sophie Vandenkerchove, mentioning your name + Trailing intensive and date.

If the weekend has to be cancelled, the deposit will be refunded. If you cancel yourself, the deposit is not refundable.