Forgotten Skillz

01/15/2026

In the past, very little went to waste.

What we call “trash” today was often just another resource waiting to be used. Bones became tools or broth. Ashes from the hearth were saved for soap-making or soil amendment. Even worn fabric found a second life as patches, stuffing, or tinder.

One of our favorite examples is something almost invisible to us now: soot.

The black smoke from an oil lamp or candle wasn’t just a nuisance. Collected carefully, it became lampblack, a rich carbon pigment used for inks, paints, and dyes across cultures and centuries. What drifted into the air became a tool for record-keeping, art, and communication.

This Saturday at the Vanderbilt Museum, we’ll explore that exact practice in our ScribeCraft workshop, using candle soot as the base for traditional lampblack ink. It’s a small, hands-on reminder that sustainability doesn’t always require new technology. Sometimes it asks us to look more closely at what we already have.

At Forgotten Skillz, this is at the heart of what we do:
seeking inspiration from past practices to inform smarter, more intentional choices today.

If you’re curious how a flickering flame can become ink—or how old ideas can shape modern sustainability—we’d love to share the experience with you.

01/15/2026

Missed the first class in the series? Get a quick recap:

We’ve just finished our first Wilderness Survival Basics class of the year, and every time we close out this course, the same realization comes back into focus.

01/12/2026

Winding down from one event means gearing up for the next!

This weekend was a whirlwind of survival fun as we traipsed across the Island, meeting new people and sharing outdoor knowledge.

Next, we clean ourselves up, act a bit more refined, and journey back indoors for two ScribeCraft workshops — one at Vanderbilt Museum and one at the Sands Point Preserve.

We will be journeying through the history of the written word as we learn about making homemade inks and crafting our own writing implements.

We'd love to have you join us! Check the events page on our website, or visit either venue's site for details.

01/11/2026

Click the link for info~
https://www.friendsofconnetquot.org/emails/email-2026-01-09.htm?utm_source=FOC%20Email&utm_medium=NMPro&utm_campaign=Save%20Stillwell%20Woods%20Preserve%20-%201/9/26

01/09/2026

The 2026 Wilderness Survival Series kicks off tomorrow! (1/10/2026)

We'll be learning the foundational skills and mindset that will keep you alive, safe, and feeling good in any situation.

FAQs:

👉🏻 What if I miss this one?
This is only the beginning; you can still join any of the rest of the workshops.

👉🏻 Do I need to bring anything?
Just yourself, dressed appropriately, and a suitable knife if you have one (we have loaners if not)

👉🏻 What if it rains?
Each of our three partner locations has both indoor and outdoor facilities for us to use in case the weather is not conducive to learning.

👉🏻 Will we be hiking far?
Everything we need will either be provided on-site or within a short walk for this workshop.

👉🏻 How can you teach survival at such beautiful and well-manicured parks?
Each workshop is a combination of group learning and immersive hands-on activity. The classrooms and park settings are great for sitting down for the initial lesson, and even with the Golden Age mansions in the background, each location still harbors enough wilderness for us to practice.

👉🏻 Why would I need to learn this? I live on Long Island!
You'd be surprised when these skills come in handy. The mindset lessons are not just about the deep woods; they are applicable in every aspect of life. And, you'd be surprised when the hands-on aspects become relevant: trapped on the road in the snow, lost in the park during a day hike, or regional power outages.... all of these situations benefit from some survival skills.

I want in! How do I enroll?
Choose a park in the comments below and click the link; the park's website will guide you through registering.

01/08/2026

Writing didn’t begin with keyboards or printing presses.
It began with plants, minerals, observation, and patience.

This January, Forgotten Skillz is partnering with two iconic Long Island sites to host ScribeCraft I – Ink Impressions, a hands-on workshop where participants create their own natural inks and reed pens using time-honored methods.

These sessions explore:
• How early inks were made
• Why writing materials shaped culture and power
• The science behind pigments, binders, and flow
• The quiet discipline of slowing down to make something by hand

Two opportunities to attend:

January 17 | 10:00–12:00
ScribeCraft I – Ink Impressions
Vanderbilt Museum
Centerport

January 25 | 10:00–12:00
ScribeCraft I – Ink Impressions
Sands Point Preserve
Sands Point

Whether you’re a history lover, artist, educator, or simply curious, this is a rare chance to experience the roots of writing in places where history still speaks.

Space is limited. Links in comments.

01/04/2026

There's something about gazing into a fire that calls one's mind to quiet, one's soul to linger, and one's spirit to join the hypnotic dance of the ancestors.

01/04/2026

Next Saturday!

Our 2026 Wilderness Survival Series kicks off this Saturday, January 10 at 10am! In this Survival Basics class, Mike Evans will demonstrate how people throughout history found shelter, water, warmth, and calm in the wild — and help you rediscover how those same skills can make modern camping, hiking, and time outdoors safer and more rewarding.

This hands-on workshop blends ancient bushcraft with modern safety to teach you the "5 Cs" of readiness and the "Rule of 3s" for any situation. You’ll practice practical mindset and survival techniques in a guided, low-stress environment designed to build self-reliance and environmental respect. It’s an experiential way to discover how historical outdoor skills make today’s adventures safer and more meaningful.

This program is for adults, but youth 14+ are welcome with an accompanying adult. Purchase this session or the entire series of 9 monthly workshops this year!

Members: $40 per class / $316 for series
Nonmembers: $45 per class / $362 for series
Visit our website to purchase: https://bit.ly/3KMvsCs

01/03/2026

If you’ve been curious about outdoor skills but weren’t sure where to start, Survival Basics at CEED is designed to be exactly that first step.

This evening session is part of the Forgotten Skillz Wilderness Survival Series happening Saturday, January 10, alongside workshops at Sands Point Preserve and the Vanderbilt Museum.

We’ll focus on the same foundational skills people across cultures relied on for thousands of years — shelter, water, warmth, and mindset — taught in a calm, supportive, hands-on way.

Survival Basics at CEED — 6pm

Details and registration for all locations:
👉 ForgottenSkillz.com/events

01/02/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions about survival skills is that they’re about extreme situations.

Historically, these skills were about continuity — staying warm, hydrated, oriented, and calm so daily life could continue.

That’s where the Forgotten Skillz Wilderness Survival Series begins. What is extreme to us was just another day to our ancestors... and here we are, still surviving.

Survival Basics kicks off Saturday, January 10, at three Long Island locations:
• Sands Point Preserve Conservancy (10am)
• Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium (2pm)
• CEED (6pm)

Details and registration for all January events:
👉 ForgottenSkillz.com/events

12/28/2025

Sometimes, the best way to honor the ancestors and the quiessence of the season is to travel the eastern seaboard visiting the various branches of the family tree.