Earthcraft Degrees

Degrees in Earthcraft are given for general all-around proficiency in some subject, and contrast with honors, which are given for a single specific achievement. For a recommended list of honors visit the Earthcraft honors page. When someone has done the work for a degree, it's usually best to have the claimant write out an application for the degree, stating which tests he or she has performed, and providing either proof of some sort (such as a completed object, a video, or a demonstration) or the names of witnesses who can vouch for the fact that the challenges were completed. The application goes to the Honors Committee of the circle, but the claim must be made in a council meeting by a friend of the claimant; it's traditional that Earthcrafters don't claim honors or degrees for themselves.

These degrees are intended for Middle Lodge and Big Lodge members. A separate set of Little Lodge degrees are under development, aimed at the interests and abilities of Earthcrafters below the age of 12. If your Little Lodge Earthcrafters prefer any of the following degrees to the Little Lodge degrees, though, by all means let them go for it!

Middle Lodge members who completed equivalent Little Lodge degrees can receive them again as Middle Lodge degrees, and Big Lodge members who completed any of these as Middle Lodge degrees can receive them again as Big Lodge degrees, provided that the following two requirements are met:

1. Work for each degree has to be done while the member belongs to the lodge in which the degree is being taken - in other words, work done when you're still a Little Lodge member can't be used to claim a Middle Lodge degree.

2. The same work can't simply be repeated over again - in other words, if you identify tracks of five species for a Little Lodge degree, for example, you have to identify tracks of five different species in order to qualify for a Middle Lodge degree. The Honors Committee of the circle shall judge in questionable cases.

Tests that can be repeated in this way are marked Repeater in the list below. Tests that aren't marked in this way only count once.

Any member who wishes to do so can replace up to three challenges in any degree with three other self-designed challenges which cover the same broad ground. The replacement challenges must be approved by the circle's Honors Committee before the application for the degree is made.

The degrees and challenges below are recommended and are a work in progress. We will be adding additional degrees over time as we finish revising the old requirements and developing new degrees. We encourage Earthcraft circles and lonecrafters to devise their own degrees and challenges and let us know about them, and if we feel these fit within the Earthcraft program we'll happily add them to the following list.

Animal Tracker

Earthcrafters who meet ten of the following challenges receive the degree of Animal Tracker.

1. Keep a field journal for a year, describing the mammals seen on trips to wilderness. (Repeater)
2. Keep a field journal for a year, describing the wild or feral mammals seen in the area near your home. (Repeater)
3. Identify 20 species of wild or feral mammals found in your area.
4. Donate 20 hours of volunteer time to a group that rescues injured wild mammals and returns them to the wild. (Repeater)
5. Donate 20 hours of volunteer time to a group that rescues and adopts stray or feral mammals. (Repeater)
6. Identify 5 species of mammals used as resources by Native Americans in your area and explain what use was made of them. (Repeater)
7. Identify an endangered species of mammal in your area, explain the primary threats to its survival, and describe what is being done to prevent its extinction. (Repeater)
8. Draw from observation and identify the tracks of five species of mammals. (Repeater)
9. Follow the track of an animal or person (snow or mud allowed) for a mile and identify the species trailed. (Repeater)
10.Take good recognizable photos of 5 different species of wild mammals in the field. (Repeater)
11.Identify and describe the life history and ecological niche of 5 species of mammals that spend most of their time in the water. (Repeater)
12. Identify and describe the life history and ecological niche of 5 species of herbivorous land mammals. (Repeater)
13. Identify and describe the life history and ecological niche of 5 species of carnivorous land mammals. (Repeater)
14. Identify and describe the life history and ecological niche of 5 species of mammals that live underground. (Repeater)
15. Identify the horns or antlers from 5 species of wild mammals and tell the distinguishing marks of each. (Repeater)
16.Take good recognizable photos of 10 different species of wild mammals in captivity. (Repeater)
17. Make plaster casts of the tracks of 5 different species of wild mammals. (Repeater)
18. Mount a wild mammal according to the usual standards of taxidermy. (Repeater)
19. Tan the hide of a wild mammal. (Repeater)
20. Using only hand tools, create some useful item using one or more body parts (bone, teeth, hide, sinew, etc.) from a wild mammal. (Repeater if the items, materials, and animal source are all different.)

Cave Man/Cave Woman

The degree of Cave Man or Cave Woman is awarded to any Earthcrafter who meets any seven of the following challenges:

1. Make a usable hand axe from an unworked stone using only other stones as tools.
2. Make a hafted stone axe or adze from stone, wood, and other natural materials, using only simple hand tools.
3. Make a simple stone spear point and fasten it onto a wooden spear shaft using only natural materials and simple hand tools.
4. Make any one of the following stone tools using flint knapping techniques: knife, arrowhead, scraper, burin, Clovis point. (Repeater)
5. Start a fire on three different occasions using a hand drill, bow drill, fire plow, or fire saw to provide the spark, and natural materials for tinder, kindling, and fuel. (Repeater)
6. Make a useful object from animal bone, horn, or antler using only hand tools. (Repeater)
7. Make a simple basket by hand from natural materials.
8. Clean and tan the hide of an animal, using no artificial chemicals in the process. (Repeater if the hide of a different animal is used each time.)
9. Make two yards of simple cordage, capable of supporting a weight of 10 pounds, by hand out of natural materials. (Repeater if different material is used.)
10. Make a simple musical instrument, such as a drum, bone flute, bullroarer, or rattle, from natural materials using only simple hand tools, and learn to play it. (Repeater)
11. Make a simple shelter from natural materials and spend one night in it. (Repeater)
12. Make an atlatl and throwing spear, or a simple bow and arrows, and throw the spear or shoot an arrow at least fifty yards, or hit a 12-inch target at a range of 10 yards in 7 out of 10 attempts. The throwing spear or arrows need not have stone points. (Repeater if an atlatl is made for one degree and a bow for another.)
13. Name 10 edible wild plants that grow in the area where you live, and explain when and in what type of environment they can be found and harvested. (Repeater)
14. Name 10 edible animals that live in the area where you do, explain when and in what type of environment they can be found, and how they can be hunted. (Repeater)

Horsewhisperer

The degree of Horsewhisperer is awarded to any Earthcrafter who meets any ten of the following challenges.

1. Show that you are at home in a saddle (any type or bareback) and can ride at a walk, trot, canter/lope both directions and to back four full steps.
2. Show how to halter horse, lead, groom, saddle and bridle a horse correctly and safely.
3. Load and unload a horse from a horse trailer.
4. Demonstrate how to imprint a foal as well as to lead a mare and foal correctly.
5. Show how to harness a horse correctly in single or double harness and to drive.
6. Pack 100 lbs. to stay during four hours of travel.
7. Have a knowledge of three breeds of workhorse and their uses, and demonstrate knowledge of the local regulations concerning driving. (Repeater if breeds and uses are different.)
8. Explain conformation and how it relates to what a horse is used for as well as identify common unsoundnesses and blemishes. Tell about the common color and markings of ponies and horses.
9. Describe the proper fit and adjustment of a saddle, bit and bridle or harness and cart. Explain the effects of ill fitting tack. (Repeater)
10. Know two common causes of, and proper remedies for lameness, and know to whom cases of cruelty and abuse should be referred. (Repeater)
11. Be able to judge as to the height, age and general condition of horses. Tell about the proper feeding of horses and how to adjust feed to the use and age of a horse or pony.
12. Know six breeds and describe their general characteristics, history, as well as common uses. (Repeater)
13. If you compete or have a specialty, give a demonstration live or by video tape. For example: jump a round, cut or rope a calf, ride a dressage test or reining pattern, etc. (Repeater by showing clear advancement in the same specialty or learning a new specialty.)
14. Describe symptoms, treatment and prevention of six conditions or diseases of your choice: worms, strangles, potomac fever, wounds, colic, heat exhaustion, choking, founder, etc. (Repeater)
15. Understand horseshoeing. If possible, demonstrate how to remove aloose shoe or rasp a barefoot hoof level.
16. Open, pass through and close a gate from horseback as well as cross a stream at least six feet wide and at least ankle deep.
17. Trick riding: Pick up hat from the ground going at gallop on a horse. Alternatively teach a horse to bow or lie down on command or count via nods of their head or raising hoof or any other trick by previous approval. (Repeater)
18. Use a creative medium to express your experience of horses in one of the following ways: (Repeater if a different medium is used each time.)
- draw, paint, sculpt, carve, or in some other way create three or more artworks featuring horses;
- write a poem or song, or or play a piece of music about horses that you compose;
- create an item to be used in your riding such as chaps, a show jacket or vest;
- repair, restore or create a piece of tack (for example make a halter or restore an antique saddle).
19. Give a presentation on the BLM Wild Horse and Burro adoption program, or show proof of volunteering in some manner on the program itself, or adopt a wild horse or burro and document your progress for three or more months. (Repeater by adopting a wild horse or burro for an additional three or more months.)
20. Donate four hours per month for three or more months of your time to a horse rescue organization in your area. Give a presentation on the history, mission and current status of this organization. (Repeater)

Martial Artist

The degree of Martial Artist is awarded to any Earthcrafter who meets each of the following three challenges:

1. Practice a martial art for at least one year, under the personal guidance of a qualified instructor. Books, videos, etc. may be used as additional resources but don't qualify you for this degree on their own; personal instruction is essential. (Repeater)
2. Write an essay on the origins, history, and philosophy of your chosen martial art. (Repeater)
3. Demonstrate appropriate progress in your chosen martial art by presenting a letter from your instructor stating that you have shown satisfactory attendance and progress for one year. (Repeater)

Organic Gardener

The degree of Organic Gardener is awarded to any Earthcrafter who meets any eight of the following challenges:

1. Describe the nature and structure of soil and the role of organic materials and living creatures in it.
2. Make a composter or worm bin and use it successfully for one year, producing usable organic compost. (Repeater)
3. Name ten crops suited to the area in which you live, and explain why; name ten other crops unsuited to the area in which you live, and explain why. (Repeater)
4. Name ten common weeds in your area and describe organic methods of controlling them. (Repeater)
5. Name ten common insect pests that damage crops in your area, explain what they do, and describe organic methods of controlling them. (Repeater)
6. Name five common non-insect pests that damage crops in your area, explain what they do, and describe organic methods of controlling them. (Repeater)
7. Prepare and plant a double-dug biodynamic garden bed with at least 10 square feet of soil surface. (Repeater)
8. Prepare and plant organic container gardens or window boxes totalling at least 4 square feet of soil surface. (Repeater)
9. Build a cold frame and use it successfully to grow early or late season crops, using only organic methods.
10. Set up a solar greenhouse containing at least 10 square feet of soil surface for crops, and tend it for one year, using only organic methods.
11. Successfully raise six different annual or biennial vegetables to maturity, using only organic methods. (Repeater)
12. Successfully raise six different perennial food crops through one year, using only organic methods. (Repeater)
13. Successfully raise six different medicinal herbs to maturity, using only organic methods. (Repeater)
14. Plant a fruit tree and raise it until it bears its first crop of fruit, using only organic methods. (Repeater)
15. Collect seed from a plant you raised yourself and successfully propagate new plants from it. (Repeater)
16. Plan an organic garden of at least 100 square feet, so that it produces crops through the entire growing season in your area, and calculate approximately how much seed of each crop, how much compost, and what tools and supplies you would need to cultivate, plant, tend, and harvest the garden for one year using only organic methods.

Stand by for more degrees to come...