We would like to announce some fundamental changes in the "Grove of Dana" online Druid college of the New Order of Druids.
Due to a recurring shortage of volunteering mentors, we were forced to reorganise the way in which we offer our free courses in the college. The changes as explained below, are effective immediately.
If you wish to enter the Bardic Course, you will henceforth be directed to the "Bardic Course" forum (under the category "College Campus") where you will be able to post your written work, discuss it with the mentors (moderators) and fellow students like an actual "classroom". You will also be able to discuss the written works of other students, thus making it possible to learn from each other in the process. More practical information can be found in the Bardic Course forum.
We still offer the service of a personal mentor who guides you throughout the course. However, this service is only available for our upgraded members as of today. Upgraded membership with N.O.D. starts at 29,97 euro per year and serves to cover the expenses to keep this website up and running for you. It is sufficient for you to get enrolled in the Bardic Course during your upgraded membership, you will be able to continue with a mentor even after your upgrade expires, so long as you remain enrolled (by logging into the course at least once every 60 days).
These changes only affect the Bardic Course and (in the future) the Ovate Course and Druid Course! The Bardic YOUTH Course remains available with mentor for free members!
Transition students arrangement
To make these fundamental changes as smooth as possible, we have built in a "transition" arrangement which will still allow a certain number of students to remain within the Bardic Course with a mentor. Any student who has turned in at least two assignments to date, remains enrolled in the Bardic Course and is allowed to continue the course with mentor, without the need to upgrade. However, if you get unenrolled after an inactivity of more then 60 days, you will no longer be able to benefit from this transition arrangement.
In the Ovate Course, all current students are allowed to continue their course with their mentor.
If you are already an upgraded member, you should also remain enrolled of course. Keep in mind that the old enrolment key will no longer work to re-enroll.
We thank you for your understanding, and if you have any questions then do not hesitate to contact the College Coordinators, Bran and Myrddin, on the Support Helpdesk.