Eco Life Experience

Into the Wild
2026-01-09 09:00 - 2026-06-07 18:00 (Europe/Lisbon) | Eco Retiro de Galamares, Galamares, 2710-249 SINTRA, Portugal
OUTDOOR EDUCATION LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION COURSE
This is primarily a hands-on, experiential course and is based on nature connection, practices and activities. The program will introduce earth education, nature awareness, creative interpretation, bushcraft, sensory awareness and narrative skills.

Who is it suitable for?
The program has been created for those on a personal and professional development path. It may be at the point of a career change or after graduating that the need for practical experience and mentoring in the field is required.
To align you with your goals, connect you deeply with nature and offer you tools and experience that will translate effectively into everyday life.
The program is geared toward teachers, educators, outdoor instructors, rangers, forest school leaders, play-workers, and in more general terms, those who are change-agents, community leaders, people in personal or professional transition.
For those who long a more fulfillment in their lives and a deeper impact in the world.
What will you learn?

Learn and/or develop new skills, tools and techniques to become a more effective educator
Gain experience with a range of client-groups
Discover more of your gifts, passions and vision
Move yourself closer to your professional aspirations, and toward your dreams for yourself and the world
Receive coaching, mentoring and support
Adopt routines that connect you with nature and can facilitate others connection to nature
Be introduced to new ideas and new practices
Foundation Program Outline

Program Structure:

6 modules, 3 days each
5-10 days field work on Into the Wild Portugal camps or events.
Various assignments and practices associated with developing nature connection and integrated learning.

ORIENTATION– 9th to 11th January 2026

Learn an unique program rooted in Indigenous wisdom – THE 8 SHIELDS PROGRAM – teaches a framework for deep nature connection, community building, and personal growth, inpired by indigenous principles and ecological principles.
Introduction to Outdoor Survival basic skills – medicine wheel, Orientation, firecraft, campcraft skills, introduction to Core Routines, Nature connection practices, Community building, Compass directions framework, Peace principles . Practical & Experientral activities like storytelling and community rituals.
Holistic approach, blending ecology, psychology and cultural design. Night walk. Assignments & practices.
HANDS – 20th to 22th February 2026
Where ancient skills meet modern resilience; built, craft, and thrive in harmony with the Wild.
Shelter-building – Learn how to construct safe, weather-resistant shelters using natural materials. Learn how to transform branches, leaves, and earth into protective havens – a skill that empowers self-reliance and awakens ancestral wisdom.
Bushcraft skills – Is about harmony with nature. Fire-making, water purification, foraging, navigation, and natural cordage. Step into the art of bushcraft: mastering fire, water and food in ways that connect you to the rhytms of the wild.
Discover Coppicing – The timeless practice of harvesting wood while nurturing the forest’s renewal – a living lesson in sustainability. Coppicing teaches patience, stewardship, and respect for ecological cycles.
Woodcraft – Learn craving, shaping, and crafting tools, utensils and structures from raw wood. From spoon carving to frame building, woodcraft awakens your hands to the artistry of survival.
Cutting tools – Learn safe handling of knives, axes and saws; sharpening and maintenance. Learn to wield knives and axes with precision, care and respect, unlocking the crafts of survival.
Wild foods, Campfire cookery. Assignments & practices.
All these skills foster a deeper bond with nature and ancestral traditions. You will not only learn techniques – but also experience a shift in how you depict the natural world.
IMAGINATION- 13th to 15th March 2026
The imagination Module is a sanctuary for creativity and connection. Through Earth Education, environmental storytelling, and narrative techniques, you will learn to animate nature and interpret the world with fresh eyes. Come ready to play, listen, and craft stories that honor the living planet.
Creative interpretation – Emphasize imagination as a tool for transformation. Unlock the hidden meanings in landscapes and stories – discover how creativity reshapes the way we see the world. You will learn how to reframe ordinary experiences into extraordinary insights.
Earth Education – step into the classroom of the Earth itself; where rivers, trees, and stones become your teachers.
Environmental storytelling – Position storytelling as activism and healing. Learn to tell the Earth’s story – weaving voices of animals, ancestors, and ecosystems into narratives that inspire change.
Animating nature – nature will be presented as alive, interactive, and full of personality. Playful, embodied practices like role-play, movements and soundscapes. The intention is to bring the forest to life – hear the whispers of leaves, the laughter of streams, and the wisdom of stones.
Narrative techniques – Creative training and personal empowerment; offering practical tools for crafting compelling stories. Master the art of narrative from mythic archetypes to modern eco-tales. Discover how to shape stories that move hearts and minds.
Assignments and practices. You will gain knowledge and reverence blending the beautiful nature with wonder.
AWARENESS – 17th to 19th April 2026
The Awareness Program invites you to rediscover the World through awakened senses. From tracking skills and wildlife observation to bird language and medicine walks, each practice opens a doorway into deeper connection with nature and yourself.
Sensory Awareness – Awaken your senses – learn to see, hear, and feel the world with new clarity.
Tracking skills – Step into the ancient art of tracking – discover stories written in the soil and sand. Emphasize mystery and detective-like curiosity.
Wildlife Observation – Enter the secret lives of wild beings – observe without disturbing and become part of their world. Learn patience, stillness, and respect for animals. Highlight the joy of intimate encounters with nature.
Bird Language – Decode the language of birds, hear alarm calls, songs and whispers that unveil the unseen. Feel a practical survival skill and a poetic connection.
Medicine Walk – Learn about a guided journey where nature offers insight, healing and reflection- Take a medicine walk – and let the land speak to your spirit, offering guidance and renewal.
Night Activity – Join a walk where every sound tells a story. Learn to track not just animals, but your own awareness.
Come ready to listen, to see, and to be transformed by the living Earth.
HEART- 8th to 10th May 2026
The Heart Program is where you can really lean into soulful language, ecological wisdom, and collective imagination. It’s about awakening emotional conection to the Earth and inspiring you to act from Love and responsability.
Gaia Theory – An invitation for spiritual awakening, bridging ecology and myth. Discover Gaia – the living Earth, a vast web of interconnection where every breath and heartbeat matters.
Deep Ecology – Emphasize the intrinsic value of all beings, beyond human. centered thinking. Step into deep ecology. a philosophy that honors rivers, forests, and creatures as kin, not resources.
Active Hope – Cultivate Active Hope – a resilient practice that empowers us to face ecological challenges with courage and creativity. Hope as practice, not as a feeling – inspired by Joanna Macy’s work.
Council of Beings – A ritual practice where participants embody non-human voices (animals, plants, rivers, ancestors). Highlight play, empathy, and transformation through role-play and storytelling. Step into the voices of wolves, trees, and oceans, and speak for the Earth.
The Heart Program is a journey into ecological wisdom and emotional connection. We learn to see Earth as a living whole, honor all beings as kin, and cultivate resilience in the face of global challenges. This is not just learning – it is remembering our place in the great web of life.
Overnight solo. Assignments & Practices.
LEADERSHIP – 5th to 7th June 2026
The Leadership Program is a transformative journey into conscious leadership. Through exploring diverse leadershipe styles, engaging in eco constellations, and accessing resourses for environmental education, you will learn to guide communities with empathy, vision, and ecological responsability. This is a leadership for a thriving planet.
Leadership styles – Explore leadership styles that inspire cooperation, creativity, and resilience – from servant leadership rooted in empathy to visionary leadership that sparks collective action.
Eco Constellations – Experiential practices that illuminate our place in the web of life and guide us toward balanced, regenerative leadership. A healing ritual and a practical tool for ecological awareness. Inspired by systemic constellations, this practice reveals hidden dynamics between humans and ecosystems. It is a living map of our relationship with the Earth.
Resources for Environmental Education – Gain access to resources for environmental education – from storytelling techniques to hands-on activities that empower communities to learn and act.
This Module will provide you tools, curricula and frameworks to teach and inspire others.
Celebration – celebrate the path we’ve walked – from first steps to newfound wisdom!
Celebration of the living Earth! Join us for a circle where we honor the Journey & Transformation; highlight achivements and create a memorable closing ritual. We will empahasize Gratitude & Reflexion, Joy & Creativity; Community & Connection Spirit.
Total course fee | €1800 (without VAT)
Registrations | info@ecolife-experience.com // 968 694 146
Details: 6 modules, 1 module per month from January to JuneLocation: Eco Retiro de Galamares, Sintra
PT
Módulo de Orientação : 9-11 de Janeiro de 2026
Vamos mergulhar no ” 8 Shields Programa” – É um modelo de mentoria baseado na natureza, criado para cultivar uma conexão profunda com a natureza, consigo mesmo e com a comunidade. Foi fundado por Jon Young, antropólogo e naturalista, e vem sendo desenvolvido desde 1983. Estrutura-se em torno das oito direções da bússola, cada uma representando um escudo – um conjunto de princípios e práticas ligados a fases da vida, às estações do ano e aos ciclos do dia.
O programa valoriza a mentoria intergeracional e a restauração do sentido de pertença e propósito através da ligação com a natureza. Este programa promove consciência ecológica e ajuda a desenvolver resiliência, empatia e liderança. Procura curar a desconexão cultural e incentivar práticas comunitárias regenerativas.
Introdução às competências de sobrevivência ao ar livre, roda da medicina e práticas de conexão com a natureza; Atividades práticas e experimentais, como narração de histórias e rituais comunitários; Abordagem holística que integra Ecologia, psicologia e design cultural; Caminhada noturna.
Módulo Mãos – De 20 a 22 de Fevereiro de 2026.
Onde antigas habilidades encontram a resiliência moderna. Constrói, cria e próspera em harmonia com o selvagem. Vamos aprender Construção de Abrigos – aprende a construir refúgios seguros e resistentes utilizando materiais naturais. Descobre como transformar ramos, folhas e terra em refúgios protetores – uma habilidade que fortalece a autosuficiência e desperta a sabedoria ancestral. Competências de buschcraft – tratamento se de viver em harmonia com a natureza; fazer fogo, purificar água, orientar – se e criar cordas naturais.
Descoberta de Coppicing – a prática intemporal de colher madeira enquanto se nutre a renovação da floresta – uma lição viva de sustentabilidade. O Coppicing ensina paciência, cuidado e respeito pelos ciclos ecológicos.
Artes da madeira – aprende a talhar, moldar e criar ferramentas, utensílios e estruturas a partir da madeira bruta. Desde a escultura de colheres até a construção de armações, a arte da madeira desperta as tuas mãos para a arte da sobrevivência; Ferramentas de Corte – aprende a manusear com segurança facas, machados e serras; afiar e fazer a manutenção; Aprender a identificar alimentos silvestres; culinária na fogueira.
Exercícios e práticas.
Todas estas competências promovem um vínculo mais profundo com a natureza e com as tradições ancestrais. Não irás apenas aprender técnicas, mas também, vivenciar uma transformação na forma como percebes e interages com o mundo natural.
Módulo da Imaginação – 13-15 Março 2026
É um encontro onde vais soltar a tua criatividade e conexão. Através da Educação pela terra, da narrativa ambiental e de técnicas de contação de histórias, vais aprender a dar vida a Natureza e a interpretar o Mundo com um olhar renovado
Interpretação Criativa – Enfatiza a imaginação como ferramenta de transformação. Ajuda-te a descobrir como a criatividade remodela a forma como vemos o Mundo. Vais aprender a reformular experiências comuns em percepções extraordinárias; Narrativa Ambiental – Posiciona a Arte de contar histórias como ativismo e cura. Vais aprender a narrar a história da terra, entrelaçando as vozes dos animais, dos ancestrais e dos Ecossistemas em narrativas que inspiram a mudança; Tarefas e Práticas – Irás adquirir conhecimento e reverência unindo a beleza da Natureza ao encontro do maravilhar – se!

Módulo de Awareness – 17-19 Abril de 2026
Este programa é um convite para abrandar, escutar e redescobrir a linguagem subtil do mundo natural. Cada prática é uma porta aberta para a resiliência, o sentido de pertença e o deslumbramento.
Ao longo de 3 dias transformadores, vais explorar práticas que abrem novos caminhos de percepção, presença e respeito pelo mundo vivo.
Destaques do Programa:
– Consciência Sensorial – desperta os teus sentidos e aprende a ver, ouvir e sentir o mundo com nova clareza.
– Competências de rastreamento – Entra na Arte ancestral do tracking e descobre as histórias escondidas na terra e na areia
Linguagem das aves e Medicine walks – Decifra as vozes das aves e explora práticas simbólicas que aprofundam a consciência e a conexão.
Módulo do Coração – 8 a 10 de Maio 2026
O programa do coração é um convite para mergulhar em linguagens da alma, sabedoria Ecológica e imaginação coletiva.
Trata se de despertar a conexão emocional com a Terra e inspirar a agir a partir do amor e da responsabilidade para com o nosso planeta.
Durante estes 3 dias vamos vivenciar um programa extraordinário chamado:
Conselho dos Seres – uma prática de ritual onde vais ser convidado a representar um Ser da Natureza e incorporar vozes não humanas (animais, plantas, rios, ancestrais). O destaque está no jogo, na empatia e na tua transformação através da representação e da narrativa. Entra nas vozes dos Lobos, das árvores e dos oceanos e fala em nome da Terra.
Inspirado no trabalho da Joanna Macy’s, vamos vivenciar e aprender uma prática resiliente que nos fortalece enormemente para enfrentar os desafios ecológicos com coragem e criatividade.
Vamos também entrar na Ecologia Profunda – ou seja, abraçar uma filosofia que honra rios, florestas, como parentes, e não, como recursos.
O Programa do coração é lindíssimo, e é uma jornada rumo á sabedoria Ecológica e á conexão emocional.
Aprendemos a ver a Terra como um todo vivo. Não é apenas uma aprendizagem, é um recordar do nosso lugar na grande teia da vida.
Solo noturno.
Tarefas e práticas.
Módulo Liderança – 5 – 7 Junho 2026
Uma travessia rumo á Liderança consciente.
Um chamado para despertar o coração e a visão, para guiar comunidades com empatia, criatividade e responsabilidade ecológica.
Neste programa, mergulhamos em diferentes formas de trabalhar:
A Liderança servidora – que nasce da escuta e da compaixão.
A Liderança visionária, que acende o fogo da acção coletiva.
A Liderança que floresce em cooperação, resiliência e imaginação.
Entre práticas de Eco- Construção e recursos de Educação Ambiental abrimos espaço para uma Liderança que não é apenas sobre pessoas, mas sobre o cuidar da terra e o florescer de um planeta próspero.
É uma jornada para quem deseja liderar não pelo poder, mas pela beleza de servir à vida.
Valor total do curso| 1800€ (s/iva)
Inscrições | info@ecolife-experience.com // 968 694 146
Detalhes: 6 módulos, 1 modulo por mês de Janeiro a Junho
Local: Eco Retiro de Galamares, Sintra
