HOW TO CARVE A WANDERING STICK

You will need:

1. Go on a hunt for a stick that is 1½ to 2 inches in diameter. You can use dead wood (wood that has fallen from a tree), but it will be harder to carve and possibly lacking in strength. Green wood from a newly fallen branch of a leafy tree is easier to carve and will have greater strength. Avoid cutting from a live tree if possible. Wanderers try to cause the least harm to their environment.

2. Use the saw to cut the branch to a length that feels good to you (approximately 6 inches above your elbow).

3. Using your pocket knife, whittle the bark from the stick, making sure to slide the knife away from you as you slice. You may wish to carve one of the symbols of the Wander Society at the top of your stick or use sandpaper to smooth any rough edges. Your wandering stick will darken as it dries.