Preparation for a PDC course

[Spidermonkey]

Hi Guys,

I've booked a place on the PDC course next year and to help me get the most from the course I am reading the Permaculture Designers manual. I have got some camping gear and I have found some outlets for biodegradeable soaps and toiletries. Does anyone have any tips for preparing for the course or know of items that may come in useful? Did anyone go on the course and wish there was something that they had taken along?

I will be taking a writing pad, sketch pad, tracing paper, pencils and a laptop.

[ecodharmamark]

G'day Spidermonkey

Hi Guys,

I've booked a place on the PDC course next year and to help me get the most from the course I am reading the Permaculture Designers manual. I have got some camping gear and I have found some outlets for biodegradeable soaps and toiletries. Does anyone have any tips for preparing for the course or know of items that may come in useful? Did anyone go on the course and wish there was something that they had taken along?

I will be taking a writing pad, sketch pad, tracing paper, pencils and a laptop.

Congratulations on undertaking a PDC.

Apart from Mollison's PDM, have you read Holmgren's Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability? If not, you might like to peruse a copy before you go. It's always a good idea to balance your pre-reading. You may even like take a copy of either or both with you (I still refer to the annotations I made in my copy of Pathways whilst attending my PDC).

Have fun, Markos

[purplepear]

Two great bits of advice from Marko Read David Holmgren and have fun.
I think that reading the manual is extreme but great if it works for you. Remember that a great deal of the benefit of the PDC comes from interaction with the other participants.

[eco4560]

Try finding the Permaculture Podcast on iTunes. There's one called Travel Tips for a Residential PDC that covers what it sounds like you are after.

I've bitten the bullet too, and have signed up for one in February. Mine's a 12 week, one day a week job. So if I forget my pencil the first day, all will not be lost!

[pippimac]

I went along to my PDC without the foggiest idea what I'd signed up for
Unless hardcore reading's your thing, I wouldn't get too tied up with The Designer's Manual before you do the course. PDCs are generally taught from the Manual and it was fine not feeling like I already knew the material inside out. Or at all, actually!
Making contacts and having conversations is really important. Be ready to jump in and get involved. All PDCs are very different: food preparation was a big part of mine and I'm a keen cook, so the kitchen was a natural place to spend time.
Offer to help. Dishes, feeding animals, cleaning, cooking...
Do you play an instrument? Take it along if it's portable.
Be prepared to be very tired and constantly surrounded by people. My PDC was pretty much just sleep-work-eat for two weeks.
I should have found some time to be alone. The people who went off to practice yoga or meditate had the right idea